Five mobile applications that will come in handy in China. Applications for traveling to China Navigator map works in China
Image: Reuters/Edgar Su
As of the end of 2016, there were 731 million Internet users in China. The figure is more than half the official population of the Middle Kingdom and is almost equal to the population of all European countries. 95% (695 million) of Chinese Internet users access worldwide network With mobile devices. And all these users use mobile applications on a daily basis, mainly created in China and for the Chinese market.
As you know, China has the highest level of Internet censorship. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram are blocked in China, Google search engine and related services: application store Google Play, mail client Gmail, google maps Maps. You can only access all these resources using a VPN connection. The technology allows you to bypass the Firewall. By 2018, the Chinese authorities promise to completely block VPNs. But most Chinese Internet users don't seem to need it. Such strict control over the Internet contributed to the formation of its own unique market in China. Local services are popular here, which almost completely replace inaccessible Western resources and even surpass them in many ways.
Introducing the TOP 50 most popular in China mobile applications. The ranking is based on the number of monthly active users as of May 2017 (according to iResearch Global).
1.Wechat
Monthly active users: 932.446 million
The undisputed leader of the rating, No. 1 in China. The application, created by the Internet giant Tencent in 2011, is the most famous Chinese mobile application outside of the Middle Kingdom. It is common to call Wechat the Chinese equivalent of Whatsapp. But in fact, Wechat's functionality is much broader. The application combines many options and is at the same time a messenger, social network, service for ordering tickets and calling a taxi, mobile wallet (instant money transfers) and much, much more.
2. QQ
Monthly active users: 551.708 million
Another popular Chinese instant messenger from Tencent. The QQ program was created for the computer in 1999 under the name OICQ (“Open ICQ”) as a replica of ICQ. But after a conflict regarding violation of intellectual property rights, it received the name QQ. Today the program also has many useful functions: group chats, file sharing, data storage service, dating service.
3. iQIYI
Monthly active users: 541.686 million
The Baidu-owned app is designed to search and watch video content, with an emphasis on licensed high-definition video. You can search and watch videos for free. Paid subscription makes it possible to enjoy videos without advertising in ad-free mode.
4. QQ Live
Monthly active users: 490.624 million
Service for watching videos. Users can leave reviews, rate films, and share their favorite films with friends.
5. Sogou Input
Monthly active users: 489.683 million
How do the Chinese type characters on computers and smartphones? Most people use the Sogou app. There is a keyboard for handwriting input and a voice input function.
6. Taobao
Monthly active users: 447.410 million
Taobao is a symbol of China, like pandas or rice. It is the most popular online shopping platform and online shopping app. On average, users open the app 7 times a day. With its help, you can not only buy goods and track their delivery, but also purchase air and train tickets, travel vouchers, exchange recommendations with friends and conduct microblogging.
7. Alipay
Monthly active users: 443.897 million
Alipay, created by the Alibaba group of companies, is today the most popular Chinese payment system. Using the service, users pay for purchases in online stores, communication, public utilities. Most restaurants, shops and even markets accept Alipay. Also, through the application you can transfer money to a bank account, arrange a deposit, insurance, get a loan or purchase securities. For comparison, PayPal services are used by 197 million people.
8. Sina Weibo
Monthly active users: 398.233 million
Sina Weibo is a microblogging service, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter. By the end of March, the platform's total monthly users exceeded 340 million, leaving Sina Weibo behind its American counterpart, Twitter, with 328 million active users. Weibo's daily active users have exceeded 154 million.
9. Baidu Search
Monthly active users: 377.804 million
The main search engine, “Chinese Google”.
10. QQ Browser
Monthly active users: 360,261 million
Tencent's popular browser has received criticism for its lack of privacy protection.
11. Baidu Maps
Monthly active users: 323,626 million
The application works in Chinese. Since 2016, maps of not only China, Hong Kong and Macau, but also other countries such as Italy, Spain, France, South Korea and many others are available.
12. Baidu Input
Monthly active users: 321,123 million
Alternative keyboard for typing.
13. 360safe
Monthly active users: 320,404 million
360 Security is a free antivirus app available for Android and iOS. Helps maintain high speed of your smartphone, optimizes computer memory, and deletes unnecessary files.
14. Autonavi Minimap
Monthly active users: 310,440 million
The application has several useful options: voice navigation, the ability to create a detailed route, search for cafes, restaurants and other establishments. The creators promise high accuracy and reliability of the data.
15.Youku
Monthly active users: 306,359 million
Youku is the largest video portal in China by number of visits. 80% of Youku's revenue comes from advertising. The service has more than 20,000 videos in VR format (360 degrees).
16.Kugou
Monthly active users: 290,873 million
The Kugou Music app can be installed on your computer or mobile device (there are versions for both iOS and Android).
17. UC Browser
Monthly active users: 285,451 million
18. SNDA Wifilocating
Monthly active users: 279,451 million
The WiFi万能钥匙 app also allows you to turn on the hotspot Wi-Fi access on a smartphone for other devices.
19. QQ Music (QQ音乐)
Monthly active users: 271,327 million
A popular application for searching and listening to music. Allows you to listen to tracks for free, create your own playlists, and share music with friends.
20. QQ Secure
Monthly active users: 263,900 million
21. QQ News
Monthly active users: 256,232 million
Leading news app from Tencent.
22. Tencent My App (Ying Yong Bao)
Monthly active users: 241,211 million
The app store receives huge traffic, especially for installing mobile games.
23. Moji Weather
Monthly active users: 229,480 million
The application offers weather forecasts for more than 70 cities. According to the developer, Moji Weather is used by 500 million people around the world. Real-time and 15-day weather forecasts and air quality forecasts are available. The weather forecast is presented by funny characters.
24. Iflytek Voice Input
Monthly active users: 223,545 million
Alternative keyboard for mobile devices with manual or voice typing options.
25. Apple appstore
Monthly active users: 174,013 million
26. Mi Video
Monthly active users: 146,599 million
Search for videos on various resources.
27. Le TV
Monthly active users: 137,617 million
Another popular Chinese application for searching and watching videos.
28. Article News
Monthly active users: 136,423 million
News application.
29. Kuwo Player
Monthly active users: 129,241 million
酷我音乐播放器 application for searching and listening to music.
30.360appstore
Monthly active users: 128,003 million
Another app and mobile games store.
31. Xiaomi Market
Monthly active users: 122,073 million
Mobile application store for owners of Xiaomi smartphones.
32.Meituan
Monthly active users: 121,102 million
The most popular resource for joint purchases and discounts on various goods and services.
33. JD (Jingdong) Mall
Monthly active users: 116,552 million
Mobile application popular in China trading platform JD.com.
34.MYXJ
Monthly active users: 115,381 million
The application allows you to transform a portrait in an instant, make the skin smoother and whiter, and remove oily shine. The app is called Mei Yan Xiang Ji (美颜相机), which can be translated as “beauty camera.”
35. VIVO APP Store
Monthly active users: 112,631 million
36. Baidu Appsearch
Monthly active users: 108.188 million
37.Huawei Market
Monthly active users: 108.059 million
Application store for Huawei devices.
38. VIVO Game Center
Monthly active users: 107.753 million
Game center from the mobile device manufacturer VIVO.
39. 360 Browser
Monthly active users: 106.786 million
Free mobile version browser for iOS, Android, Windows Phone from Chinese developer Qihoo.
40. QQ Mail
Monthly active users: 103.837 million
Mobile application popular in China postal agent allows you to use multiple mailboxes simultaneously, send large files.
41. OPPO Software Store
Monthly active users: 101.490 million
42. Jinshan cleanmaster
Monthly active users: 98.992 million
The application helps maintain high speed of the smartphone and optimizes the device memory.
43. QQ hlddz
Monthly active users: 98.477 million
Gaming platform with many online games.
44.iReader
Monthly active users: 98.178 million
Convenient application for reading books.
45. Meitu Xiuxiu
Monthly active users: 94.628 million
Photo editor for retouching portraits, selfies, processing any photos. The Meitu Xiuxiu (美图秀秀) application can even out skin tone, remove dark circles under the eyes, make your face narrower, your eyes larger, and your figure slimmer. There are many stickers and special effects.
46. Dianping
Monthly active users: 93.691 million
47. OPPO GameCenter
Monthly active users: 93.414 million
48.Kbao
Monthly active users: 91.403 million
49. QMK
Monthly active users: 89.114 million
50. Netease News
Monthly active users: 85.911 million
Popular news platform. The official description of the app notes that Netease has been chosen by 400 million people.
And we'll paste this into the next collection. Let us know in the comments and leave your app ratings for different devices.
Chinese language apps
By far the best Chinese (English-Chinese-English) dictionary for iOS and Android. Needs no introduction. Free version includes very good basic dictionaries, which should be enough in 90% of cases everyday life. For specific needs, you can purchase additional dictionaries, optical character recognition (OCR), flashcards and much more.
Homepage Android iOS
Waygo Visual Translator
Too lazy and/or stupid to learn Chinese? Or maybe you just want to order your own food without having to learn the world's most complex script? Then Waygo Visual Translator is designed especially for you. The free version includes good OCR that will translate words into menus or street names. Just point your iPhone at the name of the dish and get an instant (and often understandable) translation.
Homepage iOS
Xiaoma Hanzi (小马词典)
A small application for learning hieroglyphs, named after the editor-in-chief of Magazeta. It will help you practice your pronunciation and knowledge of the meaning of hieroglyphs. Searches for hieroglyphs based on features, but not as complex as Pleco
Homepage Android
Sogou Pinyin Input (搜狗手机输入法)
One of the most popular hieroglyph input systems based on pinyin transcription from the Internet giant Sohu. "Sogo" constantly updates its vocabulary base, knows the latest titles and names. We also recommend: .
Homepage Android iOS
Shopping and food apps in China
Taobao (淘宝)
Russian MIG fighters and everything made by human hands, as well - everything is sold here.
Homepage Android iOS
Etao (一淘)
Search and compare product prices on major websites in China and abroad (including Amazon.com).
Homepage Android iOS
Alipay (支付宝钱包)
Do you want that MIG or meteorite? Here's how you'll pay for it. Alipay is the Chinese equivalent of PayPal. This application helps you pay for purchases from your mobile phone and do basic operations with your electronic account.
Homepage Android iOS
Dazhong Dianping
Search for restaurants by location, cuisine, price and user ratings. The store recommends!
Homepage Android iOS
MTime (时光电影)
What is shown in local cinemas and are there any discounts on Cinema tickets? An app for movie fans in China.
Homepage Android iOS
Wochacha (我查查)
Scan the barcode on a book, groceries or other items and get information and price comparisons at nearby supermarkets and online stores.
Homepage Android iOS
Chinese Social Media Applications
Sina Weibo
Keep your finger on the pulse of the Chinese blogosphere, the latest celebrity gossip and, if you're lucky, become a popular Laowai blogger if you want to practice your Chinese. There is also an application for Tencent Weibo, but we have never met real people who write there.
Homepage Android iOS
WeChat (微信)
A mixture of Whatsapp and 5 other applications for communicating online: send text messages, audio messages, video messages, photos, write another blog and in general, waste your time in a big way!
Homepage Android iOS
Chinese Music Applications
Xiami (虾米)
Music broadcasting (streaming) service. Monitors music charts in China, UK and US. Can search for music that is currently playing near you. Allows you to save 50 tracks to your phone for offline listening. Shows a bunch of lyrics for most songs.
Homepage Android iOS
Douban FM (豆瓣FM)
An Internet radio station similar to the American Pandora. Creates personal stations based on the music you like. It also allows you to save music to your phone for later listening. Thematic stations for the 80后 and 90后 generation are also interesting.
Homepage Android iOS
Chinese video apps
Youku (优酷)
Last year, Youku merged with its main competitor Tudou and has a huge collection of legal HD movies. As well as recordings of the latest TV programs and shows from around the world. Well, and of course, even more video content that is not so legal and in not so good quality :)
Homepage Android iOS
Sohu Video (搜狐视频)
Want to watch Dexter, War of Thrones or The Big Bang Theory? “I have them Sohu.” These and other foreign TV series are in the original with Chinese subtitles.
Homepage Android iOS
iQiyi (爱奇艺)
Another video hosting and Internet TV, but this time from Baidu. Offers a large selection of movies and TV shows that you can't find on Youku or Sohu.
Homepage Android iOS
Funshion (风行)
Another all-in-one app from the video category. I haven't used Funshion myself, but I've heard good things about it.
Homepage Android iOS
Kascend (开迅视频)
An application for searching content on several video platforms.
Homepage Android iOS
Flvshow
A pirated application that is distributed on "" devices. A huge aggregator from all video hosting sites, like Kascend. Download and install at your own risk.
Android
CNTV CBox (国网络电视台Cbox)
Apps for traveling to and from China
Search and reserve plane and train tickets, as well as book hotels and see hot deals. We recommend this service for searching.
Homepage Android iOS
UMeTrip (航旅纵横)
Keep an eye on flight schedules at airports in China. Departures, arrivals and delays: everything is in full view.
Homepage Android iOS
Yidao Yongche
Search for private cab drivers. It costs 2-3 times more than a taxi, but it perfectly saves you from traffic jams and rush hour (when there are no available taxis) in large Chinese cities.
Homepage Android iOS
Useful applications
全国空气污染指数 (China Air Pollution Indicator)
Check the level of air pollution and heavy metal particles in the atmosphere before leaving home, so that you can take a respirator, gas mask with you in time, or simply stay at home.
Homepage Android iOS
Did we miss anything? Write in the comments your personal recommendations and tips for Chinese geeks and newcomers.
Other articles about applications
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The functionality of the WeChat messenger, the number of active users of which has exceeded 650 million (of which 100 million are outside China), is not limited to sending messages, voice calls, chats and online payments. With its help, you can create information channels (micro-media) and even full-fledged online stores. What are the official WeChat channels and what features do they offer their users? Polina Strukova understood.
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WeChat has become a part of the lives of many foreigners living in China. But is it possible to abandon the application in modern China? Editor Polina Strukova decided to look into this issue and.
In this article we will tell you which messengers currently work in China without problems, which have problems, and which do not work at all.
We will tell you how to bypass blocking using a VPN and another method at the end of the article, but for now it is assumed that you are in China and use either mobile internet via a Chinese SIM card, or any Chinese Wi-Fi.
In China, the “Golden Shield” project exists and operates very successfully ( The Golden Shield Project) it is also called unofficially as the “Great Firewall of China”.
If we talk in simple words, then the main task of this project is to control information on the Internet in China. This also includes instant messengers.
Accordingly, all popular instant messengers are under attack. There are companies that cooperate with the Chinese authorities and therefore the services of these companies are allowed to operate in China, for example, Apple. And vice versa, which do not cooperate and are prohibited, e.g. Google company(Alphabet).
WeChat - how it works in China:
WeChat is the main messenger and it is Chinese. It is owned by the Chinese company Tencent. We have detailed information about it in a separate article -
This messenger is key in all respects. If you decide to work and do business with China, it is extremely necessary and without it it will be much more difficult than with it.
Moreover, this is not just a messenger, but a whole technology platform with services integrated into it, for example -, and many, many different and useful other features ().
It has some convenient features that no other messenger has, and it’s true!
Skype - how it works in China
At the end of November 2017, this happened:
Apple has removed Skype application from your app store, App Store, in China, at the request of local authorities, who stated that the service violates Chinese law, reports Reuters with reference to Apple.
At the same time, there are no questions for Apple, since Microsoft owns Skype.
Skype itself continues to work without any restrictions.
But judging by the actions of the Chinese authorities, this will not last long. (If you have Chinese language and China location in your Appstore settings, you won’t be able to install it, but if you change it, for example, to Russia/Russian, you’ll install it without any problems)
Whatsapp - how it works in China:
Unfortunately, there are problems with WhatsApp in China.
This happened recently, on the eve of the 19th National Congress of the CPC, which took place on October 18-24, 2017. But before the congress itself in September, Chinese authorities blocked WhatsApp.
There were reports that after the congress the blocking was lifted, and checking through the Internet service shows this - https://www.greatfirewallofchina.org/index.php?siteurl=web.whatsapp.com
But in fact, WhatsApp does not work.
- We do not recommend using WhatsApp until it is completely unlocked in order to avoid unfavorable moments in terms of non-receipt of messages to interlocutors.
And since the messenger itself belongs to Facebook, with which China has very cool relations, it is possible that the blocking may remain for a very long time, unfortunately.
Viber - how it works in China:
Telegram - how it works in China:
Telegram was first blocked in 2015. But what’s interesting is that at the moment it works if you already had it installed. It is not possible to register with a Chinese SIM card, but if you already had a Telegram account before your arrival, then it functions perfectly. Here's the nuance 😎
Checking through the Internet service shows that it is blocked - https://www.greatfirewallofchina.org/index.php?siteurl=telegram.org 
, everything works perfectly. (unfortunately, only for iOS users)
Unlimited "mobile Internet in roaming (there is a traffic threshold per day and then the speed drops to 128 kb/s) but even at 128 kb/s voice communication excellent across all messengers - we checked it!
If you need to stay in China for more than 2 weeks, then it is more profitable to connect a local SIM card and install VPN app on your smartphone and laptop.
We hope that we were able to tell in detail and not boringly the situation about the work of instant messengers in China, good luck!
If you are traveling to China for a long time or just on a business trip or a short trip, you simply cannot do without some programs for your smartphone. So, what programs should you install on your phone when you go to China? It won't be the TOP 100 or anything like that. I will describe which programs I often use and which are really needed in everyday life. I will not describe those that are not used.
8. Order food at home Wai Mai
9. UnionPay application
WeChat 微信 WeChat
Frequency of use: every day.
You can't live without WeChat in China. We made a new acquaintance - WeChat, we need to pay in the store - WeChat. Yes, WeChat is not only a good messenger, but also a wallet that will always be at hand. For those who are going to China, this is the first program that you need to install on your phone.
Alipay 支付宝 zhifubao
Frequency of use - often, but less often than WeChat.
With this application you can buy an air or train ticket, book a hotel and, of course, pay for purchases in a store. You can often get a discount when paying via Alipay.
By the way, you can also book a hotel and buy tickets on WeChat. But I somehow like using Alipay for these purposes.
An indispensable assistant, this application, will be when purchasing goods from Taobao.
Mei tu 美图
Frequency of use - rarely
This application is for lovers of discounts and shopping. Users of this program can receive a discount on services or goods.
I often use it when going to a restaurant. The amount of the discount depends on the amount of the order, the time of visit and other factors. So, very good app to save money.
Didi Che
Frequency of use - rarely.
In general, it depends on how often you use a taxi. More precisely, this application offers the user private cabs. You can travel quite cheaply, as they say, “by motor,” especially over long distances.
There is a cumulative system of discounts and various promotions. Sometimes trains can cost real pennies. Once I paid only 10 yuan even though the distance was 90 yuan.
In addition, vehicles are of much higher quality, since they belong to a frequent owner, and not to a taxi fleet. Therefore, the train will be more comfortable. You can also choose the class of car yourself: regular, minivan or luxury.
I hope this selection will help you figure out which programs to install on your phone before traveling to China.
When going to China, sooner or later you will have to use a map to determine your location, find the right place, and also receive instructions on how to get to a certain place in China.
Maps from Yandex (Yandex Map) in China show only main roads with very low detail. Google and its services are blocked in China, and maps from Google (Google Maps) in China simply do not open. Even using the methods of blocked sites, the detail still leaves much to be desired. What is the solution for navigating in China? China offers its own solution - Baidu cards.
Baidu maps definition
The main search giants, like , offer users convenient maps for navigation. The largest search engine in China is, whose headquarters are located in southeast China in the city.
Just like the popular ones search engines offer navigation maps, also Baidu maps in China are the most popular.
In Chinese 百度地图 Baidu Ditu - a map of Baidu from the main Internet search engine in China.
Features of Baidu Map
The Baidu card has some features that are useful to consider when working:
Useful symbols at the top:
- 出租车 - call a taxi
- 驾车 - navigation to your destination by car
- 公交 - options for traveling by public transport
- 散步 - walking route
- 骑车 — trajectory of movement on a bicycle
Other features of Baidu card are:
- The map shows how many stops away the nearest bus is, which is convenient.
- It can also display the nearest location of the necessary objects (hotels, restaurants, hospitals, gas stations, cinemas, etc.)
- Combined hotel booking function.
- For drivers, when approaching an intersection, a separate screen shows the route in detail, which is significantly superior to Google Maps in this indicator.
How to use the Baidu map without knowing Chinese
Since the application is in Chinese, some tips will help you use the map.
- Once you arrive at your location in China, launch the application with GPS and Internet enabled. The application will determine your location.
- Add this location to your Favorites by tagging it, for example, as “Home”, “Work” or “Hotel”.
- When you return back, select this location from your favorites. The system will automatically create a route to a given point and offer options for how to get there: by public transport, by car, by bicycle, on foot.
- By selecting the icon with public transport, the system will offer bus and metro options to your destination.
Here's the transcript:
- 美餐 – selection of cafes and restaurants nearby
- 酒店 - hotel deals around
- 银行 - nearby banks and ATMs
- 超市 — supermarkets nearby
- 更多 - more. When clicked, clearer icons appear.
Overall, the Baidu map is - indispensable assistant in China, very necessary and useful application, which you have to use every day with an active lifestyle in China.
Call a taxi using Baidu map
It was mentioned earlier that you can call a taxi using the Baidu card app. In the latest version of the application, this function has changed its name and is called 打车 - translated as calling a taxi from Chinese 
A nice and very necessary feature is the ability to order a taxi to the right place at a certain time, for example, at 4 o’clock in the morning. In some remote places, there are not exactly taxis, but there are very few cars in the early morning, so this feature is very useful. 
Displaying the ability to choose a time to order a taxi in China
