The essential Apps for Au Pair and Students you must use during you stay in Chengdu!
After living in China for a full year, I had the opportunity to discover and use many apps that quickly became essential in my daily life. If you didn’t know already, China relies heavily on technology for everyday activities, so getting your phone ready before you land is a total game-changer!
Don’t expect to see a lot of cash circulating here: the only time I actually had physical banknotes in my hands was when I received a hongbao (red envelope) during Chinese New Year!
To help you hit the ground running, here are the five apps you absolutely cannot live without as an expat or international student in China.
1. WeChat (微信) – Your All-in-One Digital Identity
The first two apps you will absolutely need are WeChat and Alipay. Both serve as primary payment methods and allow foreigners to link their international bank cards. You could choose to use only one, but I strongly recommend having both—you’ll inevitably find situations where one is more convenient than the other depending on the vendor or place.
Beyond payments, WeChat is first and foremost a communication tool and will probably become your best friend when meeting new people.
Pro Tip: “扫我一下” (sǎo wǒ yíxià), literally meaning “scan me,” will quickly become your favorite phrase if you’re an extrovert looking to make new connections! For more introverted folks, it’s also the easiest way to ask a cashier to scan your payment QR code without needing complex conversation.
What else can you do on WeChat?
Follow local businesses: WeChat uses an information feed system for stores and coffee chains so you can stay updated on events and promotions. (Don’t hesitate to check our article about the best cafés in China!)
Social Feed (Moments): Share snippets of your daily life through stories or post directly to your profile.
Basically, WeChat is your digital showcase—it’s often the very first thing people will discover about you after getting to know you.
2. Alipay (支付宝) – The Ultimate Expat Swiss Army Knife
Next up is Alipay, another app you will end up using every single day.
Both WeChat and Alipay operate on a system of QR codes and barcodes that you scan to transfer money or pay merchants. You might find it strange at first, but very quickly, you’ll realize just how convenient cash-free living actually is!
Where Alipay really shines for expats is its built-in toolkit. Think of Alipay as:
Your currency converter when prices in Yuan start making your head spin.
Your lifesaver when you urgently need to rent a shared bike.
Your translator when your Chinese fails you.
Your transit pass to easily tap onto buses and the metro.
Alipay has so many integrated mini-programs that it can feel a bit overwhelming at first glance. But don’t stress: the app works exceptionally well in English, and you’ll get the hang of it in no time.
3. Meituan (美团) – Food Delivery and Local Lifestyle
Speaking of surviving, it’s time to talk about food! Almost everything in China is accessible right from your phone, and Meituan is the ultimate proof of that.
Meituan is your gateway to local lifestyle and convenience. You can use it to:
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Order food delivery from thousands of local spots.
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Make restaurant reservations.
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Book KTV rooms, cinema tickets, and all kinds of weekend activities.
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Get groceries and convenience items delivered to your door within the hour.
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Unlock exclusive in-app discounts.
Food is one of the best ways to discover and understand a country, and Meituan makes trying local specialties completely effortless.
(A word of caution for newcomers: Sichuan cuisine is famous for its heat. Keep your stomach ready! By the way, for a great starting point, check out the address of one of our favorite local restaurants).
4. Amap (高德地图) – Navigating China Like a Local
If you want to head out to that restaurant recommendation, you’re going to need a reliable map.
Navigation apps commonly used in Europe or North America unfortunately don’t work properly in China. Luckily, Amap (Gode Ditu) is here to save the day!
Why Amap works so well:
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English-friendly search: Very often, you can type addresses or landmark names in English, and the app will still guide you to the exact right spot.
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City navigation: It gives precise metro routes, recommends top-rated spots, and even shows streets in 3D.
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Integrated ride-hailing: Amap features a built-in mini-program that compares taxi prices across multiple providers simultaneously. Many expats (myself included!) actually prefer using it over standard ride-hailing apps for longer, pricier trips.
5. Taobao (淘宝) – The Treasure Cave of Online Shopping
Last but definitely not least—my absolute favorite app: Taobao!
Taobao is like that honest friend reminding you that even if you’re living on the other side of the world and want to treat yourself, your wallet still has limits.
Taobao is effectively the Chinese equivalent of Amazon (or maybe Amazon is the American Taobao?). You can buy literally everything on here. In fact, the name Taobao translates to “searching for treasures”—and it truly is Alibaba’s own treasure cave.
Fun Fact: Taobao is so massive and diverse that a few years ago, two commercial passenger airplanes were actually auctioned off on the platform!
If you see something you like offline, simply take a picture of it through the app’s image search feature, and Taobao will help you find the exact item (usually for a fraction of the price).
Ready for Your China Adventure?
Living in China with these five apps installed makes daily life smoother, faster, and much more fun. QR codes will quickly become your best friends as you navigate life, food, and travel as an expat or student.
Be sure to download and set these up before you arrive so you can hit the ground running. Have you used any of these apps yet, or are you preparing for your first trip? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
