Notable Mentions - Essential Apps We Didn't Cover
Beyond the Basics
While the 14 chapters above cover the absolute must-haves for daily life in China, there are several other apps that can make your experience even smoother. Here are the apps worth knowing about:
Amap / AutoNavi (高德地图) - Navigation
Why you need it: Google Maps doesn't work properly in China - the data is outdated and GPS positioning is off. Amap is THE navigation app that actually works.
What's great about it:
English version launched in January 2025, with 14 additional languages added in July 2025
Real-time traffic updates and accurate public transit directions
Shows subway exit numbers (crucial in China's massive subway systems)
Works for driving, cycling, walking, and public transportation
Can book taxis directly through the app
How to use it: Download before you arrive in China. You can search in English for major landmarks and addresses. The app shows live traffic conditions with color-coded roads (red = congested). For teachers living in China long-term, this becomes your daily companion for getting anywhere.
Download: Search "Amap Global" in your app store.
Xianyu (闲鱼) - Second-Hand Marketplace
Why you need it: When you're settling into a new apartment or leaving China, Xianyu is where you buy and sell second-hand everything - furniture, electronics, appliances, clothes, you name it.
What's great about it:
Prices are 50-80% off retail
Owned by Alibaba, so it uses Alipay's secure payment system
Great for finding used appliances when you first move in
Perfect for selling your stuff when you leave China
Can negotiate prices directly with sellers
How to use it: You'll need a verified Alipay account (covered in Chapter 9). Search for what you need, chat with sellers through the app, and arrange pickup or delivery. Always ask sellers for real photos of the actual item, not stock photos. Check seller ratings - aim for 4.8+ stars.
Tips for safety: Use Alipay's escrow system - never pay directly via WeChat. Meet in public places for big-ticket items. Take photos/videos when you pick up items.
Download: Search for 应用宝 in the Tencent app store (see Chapter 4 if you don't have this yet). The Xianyu app should appear in the results.
Huolala (货拉拉) - Moving Service
Why you need it: Changing apartments? Need to move furniture? Huolala is like Didi for moving your stuff. No more haggling with random van drivers.
What's great about it:
Book vans or trucks of different sizes based on your stuff
Choose just a driver + van, or add movers for an extra fee
Transparent pricing (no surprise charges)
Track your driver in real-time
First-time user discounts
How to use it: Open the app, select your vehicle size (they show 3D models so you can gauge what fits), enter pickup and drop-off locations, and add your floor number (affects price). You can specify if you need help carrying things up/down stairs. The app calculates the price upfront. Book at least 3 hours before you need the service.
Teacher tip: Some teachers in China move during their contract if they stay more than a year. Save this app for when you need it - it's a lifesaver and much cheaper than moving companies back home.
Download: Search for 货拉拉 in the Tencent app store. That's the Chinese name for Huolala. The app is for moving/delivery services - the icon is usually orange or has truck/moving imagery.
HelloTalk - Language Exchange
Why you need it: Want to practice your Chinese with real people? HelloTalk connects you with native Chinese speakers who want to learn English. It's like a pen-pal app for language learners.
What's great about it:
Over 30 million users in 260+ languages
Built-in translation tools for when you get stuck
Voice messages, video calls, text chat
Correction feature - they fix your Chinese, you fix their English
"Moments" feed to see posts from Chinese learners
Free to use (premium available)
How to use it: Set your native language (English) and learning language (Chinese/Mandarin). The app matches you with Chinese speakers learning English. You chat back and forth, helping each other learn. It's part language practice, part cultural exchange, part making friends in China.
Teacher tip: This is gold for improving your Chinese and making local friends. Many expat teachers have met long-term friends through HelloTalk. Just be aware it's not a dating app - keep conversations focused on language and culture.
Download: Search for HelloTalk (just type it in English) in the Tencent app store. HelloTalk actually uses its English name even in China. Just type HelloTalk directly in the Tencent app store search bar and it should appear. The icon typically has a speech bubble or chat design with multiple colors.
NetEase Cloud Music (网易云音乐) - Music Streaming
Why you need it: Spotify doesn't work in China without a VPN (which can be unreliable). NetEase is China's answer to Spotify, and it's actually really good.
What's great about it:
Huge library of both Chinese and international music
Free tier available (with ads)
Social features - see what others are listening to, read comments on songs
Premium is cheaper than Spotify
Works perfectly without VPN
Curated playlists and music discovery
How to use it: Download the app, create an account, and start exploring. The interface is in Chinese, but once you get used to it, navigation is intuitive. You can search in English for international artists. The algorithm for music recommendations is excellent.
Note: The app is primarily in Chinese, so you might need Google Translate for the first few uses until you learn where everything is.
Download: Search for 网易云音乐 in the Tencent app store. That's the Chinese name for NetEase Cloud Music. The icon is usually red/white with a music note design.
Beike (贝壳找房) - Apartment Hunting
Why you need it: When you're looking for an apartment in China (or upgrading to a better place), Beike is one of the major platforms with professional management and reliable listings.
What's great about it:
Virtual Reality (VR) apartment tours - see places without physically visiting
Detailed property information and real photos
Professional property management
Focus on higher-end, quality rentals
Good for major cities
How to use it: Browse listings by location, price, and amenities. You can filter by distance to subway stations, which is crucial in Chinese cities. The VR tour feature lets you "walk through" apartments on your phone. When you find something interesting, contact the agent through the app to schedule a real viewing.
Teacher tip: Combine this with other rental platforms like Lianjia and 58.com for maximum options. Always visit apartments in person before signing - photos can be deceiving. Agent fees typically run 35-50% of one month's rent.
Download: Search for 贝壳找房 in the Tencent app store. That's the Chinese name for Beike. The icon typically has a shell design (贝壳 means "shell" in Chinese).
JD.com (京东) - E-Commerce for Electronics
Why you might want it: While Taobao/Pinduoduo are great for bargains, JD.com is where you go for electronics, appliances, and branded goods you want to be 100% authentic.
What's great about it:
Known for genuine products (less counterfeit risk than Taobao)
Incredibly fast delivery - often same-day or next-day
Own logistics network (like Amazon)
Best for: laptops, phones, cameras, appliances, supplements
Better customer service than Taobao
Easy returns
How to use it: Similar to Taobao but with a focus on branded products. Search for what you need, add to cart, pay with Alipay/WeChat Pay. JD's own delivery service is fantastic - you can often get electronics delivered within hours in major cities.
When to use JD vs Taobao: Use JD when buying anything expensive or tech-related where authenticity matters. Use Taobao for cheap everyday items, clothes, accessories, random stuff where authenticity is less critical.
Download: Search for 京东 in the Tencent app store. That's the Chinese name for JD.com. The icon is typically red with the JD logo or a dog mascot (JD's mascot is a metal dog).
And Many, Many More...
Browse around Meituan and WeChat's mini apps for even more - from doctors to vets to massages. It pretty much never ends.
Conclusion: You're Ready for China
What You've Learned
From setting up your VPN on day one to booking movie tickets on Maoyan, you've covered every essential app and service you need for daily life in China.
You can:
Stay connected to the outside world
Communicate with locals and translate on the go
Pay for everything from subway rides to utility bills
Order food, shop online, and get anything delivered
Navigate cities, call taxis, and move apartments
Handle your banking and international transfers
Integrate into Chinese digital life like a local
This isn't just a list of apps - it's your ticket to independence in China. While other new arrivals will be fumbling with cash and getting lost, you'll be scanning QR codes, ordering hotpot, and hopping on the subway like you've lived here for years.
The Real Secret
Here's what we haven't talked about enough: China runs on apps. Not sometimes. Not as an option. China's entire society operates through these digital platforms. Your phone isn't just a convenience here - it's your wallet, your ID, your transportation card, your social life, and your gateway to everything.
The teachers who struggle in China are the ones who resist this reality. They try to use cash when everyone scans codes. They avoid WeChat when it's how everyone communicates. They stick to what's familiar instead of adapting to how things actually work here.
The teachers who love China? They're the ones who embrace these tools, learn the systems, and plug into Chinese digital life. Within months, they're living more conveniently than they ever did back home.
What Happens Next
You're standing at the threshold of an incredible adventure. China will challenge you, surprise you, frustrate you, and amaze you - sometimes all in the same day.
But with these tools in your pocket, you're equipped to handle whatever comes.
Your first weeks will be a whirlwind of new apps, QR codes, and Chinese characters. You'll make mistakes. You'll accidentally order something bizarre on Meituan. You'll take a Didi to the wrong location. You'll probably lock yourself out of Alipay at least once.
That's normal. That's part of the process.
Every expat who thrives in China has those stories. The difference is they kept going, kept learning, and eventually hit that magic moment when everything just clicks. When using Alipay feels natural. When ordering food in Chinese becomes routine. When you stop translating every character and just know what buttons to press.
That moment is coming for you.
Join Our Community
Living and teaching in China is better when you're connected to others doing the same thing. We created a community of teachers navigating this journey together.
Ready to take the next step?
Join our Discord community if you haven't already, connect with other teachers in China, and get real-time answers to your questions.
This is where you'll find:
Teachers currently living in China who can answer your questions
Job postings and opportunities across China
Major focus on avoiding dodgy recruiters/employers
City-specific advice and recommendations
Troubleshooting help when apps don't work the way they should
Updates on new apps, features, and policy changes
A community of people who get what you're going through
The Discord is free. The guide is free. The community is waiting for you.
Here's the link: youteacher.org/discord
* OR JUST GO TO 'COMMUNITY' IN THE TOP NAVIGATION OF OUR SITE!
Don't try to figure out China alone. The teachers who succeed here are the ones who tap into community knowledge, ask questions, and learn from others' experiences. We've built this space specifically for you.
One Final Thought
China is unlike anywhere else in the world. It's the future and the past colliding in real-time. It's 5G speeds and QR code payments sitting alongside thousand-year-old temples. It's a place where your phone can do absolutely everything - except access Instagram without a VPN.
This contradiction is what makes China fascinating, frustrating, and ultimately unforgettable.
You're about to join millions of foreigners who chose to live, work, and build lives in China. Some will stay for a year. Some will stay for decades. All of them will tell you that China changed them.
This guide is your foundation. The community is your support system. The rest? That's up to you.
Welcome to China. Your adventure starts now.
P.S. - Bookmark this guide. Screenshot the important sections. Download all the apps before your flight. And most importantly, participate in Discord so you have people to turn to when you need help. See you in China.