apps – Beijing Kids

The List of Apps that Turned a Frown Upside Down

Admin — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 03:30:57 +0000

“I hate it here! I can’t get around the city, taxis don’t stop for me. I can’t get the food I ike to eat. There’s nothing fun to do!”

That was pretty much the jist of my friend’s rant that lasted for a better part of an hour after having just spent one full day in China after over a decade abroad in London. I let her rant, and then I eased her into just how wrong she actually was life in China.

As she fumed and ranted, it dawned on me that every single one of her complaints can be tackled one by one. After explaining that most taxis won’t stop if you raise your hand, I introduced her to Didi for transportation. Then Meituan for food, and all the entertainment apps she could ever need, the following day she fell in love with her new efficient, ane much cheaper than London, lifestyle.

Entertainment & Streaming: Your New Family Movie Night

Instead of Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+
Use: iQiyi (爱奇艺), Tencent Video (腾讯视频) or Youku (优酷)

Why: These are the “Big Three” of Chinese streaming. They offer a massive library of content, including Western movies and TV shows (often with English audio and Chinese subtitles), a huge selection of Chinese dramas, variety shows and a growing collection of kid-friendly cartoons and anime. iQiyi is often nicknamed the “Netflix of China.” The best part? You can do a lot of your searches in English and many movies are completely free – you just need to watch a few ads.

Instead of YouTube
Use: Bilibili (哔哩哔哩)

Why: Bilibili is far more than just a video site; it’s a cultural hub. While it has all the user-generated content you’d expect, it’s particularly famous for its anime, gaming, tech and educational content. It’s incredibly popular with students and young people. You can find everything from DIY science experiments for kids to in-depth documentaries.

Instead of Spotify or Apple Music
Use: QQ Music (QQ音乐)
Why: QQ Music has an extensive library of both international and Chinese music. QQ Music, backed by Tencent, often has exclusive rights to major international artist catalogs. You can search the songs in English, and most of them are free.

Instead of TikTok
Use: Douyin (抖音)

Why: This is the original version of TikTok. While the interface is similar, the content is entirely localized. It’s a fantastic way to see trends, humor and daily life in China. You’ll find everything from cooking tutorials and travel vlogs to short skits and dance challenges.

Shopping & E-Commerce: From Groceries to Gadgets

Instead of Amazon
Use: JD.com (京东) and Taobao (淘宝)

Why:
JD.com: Think of this as Amazon Prime. It’s known for its reliable, fast delivery (often next-day) and authentic electronics, appliances and groceries. This is your go-to for items where quality and speed are key.
Taobao: This is the massive, bustling marketplace, more akin to eBay or Amazon’s third-party sellers. You can find absolutely everything at highly competitive prices, from clothing and home decor to niche hobbyist items. The key is to check seller ratings and reviews.

Instead of eBay
Use: Xianyu (闲鱼)

Why: Literally meaning “Idle Fish,” this app is the king of secondhand trading in China. It’s perfect for buying and selling used furniture, baby gear, books, electronics and clothing. It’s integrated with Alipay and has a social, community-driven feel.

Instead of Instacart or Grocery Delivery
Use: Hema (盒马) / Meituan (美团) / Ele.me (饿了么)

Why:
Hema (also known as Freshippo) is a game-changer for families. It’s a supermarket chain with an app that offers 30-minute delivery of fresh groceries, prepared meals and household items.
Meituan and Ele.me are super-apps that deliver not just food from restaurants, but also groceries, medicine and almost anything else you can think of.

Communication & Social: Staying in Touch

Instead of Instagram or Pinterest
Use: Xiaohongshu (小红书)

Why: Xiaohongshu (also known as RedNote or RED) is a hybrid of Instagram and Pinterest, focused heavily on lifestyle, travel, beauty and product reviews. It’s an excellent resource for expat moms and dads looking for recommendations on family-friendly restaurants, travel destinations and product discoveries.

Maps & Transportation: Getting Around Town

Instead of Google Maps
Use: Baidu Maps (百度地图) or Amap/Gaode Map (高德地图)

Why: These are essential for accurate navigation, public transport routes and real-time traffic updates in China. Their points of interest databases are far more comprehensive and accurate than any international app. The interfaces are available in English, making the transition easier.

Instead of Uber or Lyft
Use: Didi Chuxing (滴滴出行)Why: Didi is the dominant ride-hailing app. It offers multiple service levels, from budget rides to premium cars, and even has an English-language interface. You can pay directly through the app by linking your international credit card or, eventually, your WeChat Pay or Alipay.

Have a favorite Chinese app that made your transition easier? Share it with the expat community in the comments below!

Find everything you need to make life in Beijing absolutely perfect at the upcoming Culturopolis.

Essential North American App Equivalents for Expat Families

Admin — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 03:30:34 +0000

Congratulations on your move to China! As you settle into your new home, you’ll quickly discover that the digital landscape is quite different from what you’re used to in North America. Many of the apps and websites that were part of your daily routine back home are either inaccessible without using a V** or have limitations.

But don’t worry! Here’s your essential guide to the Chinese equivalents of your favorite North American apps, designed to help your family stream, shop, connect and navigate with ease. Entertainment & Streaming: Your New Family Movie Night

Instead of Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+
Use: iQiyi (爱奇艺), Tencent Video (腾讯视频) or Youku (优酷)

Instead of YouTube
Use: Bilibili (哔哩哔哩)

Instead of TikTok
Use: Douyin (抖音)

Shopping & E-Commerce: From Groceries to Gadgets

Instead of Amazon
Use: JD.com (京东) and Taobao (淘宝)

Instead of eBay
Use: Xianyu (闲鱼)

Instead of Instacart or Grocery Delivery
Use: Hema (盒马) / Meituan (美团) / Ele.me (饿了么)

Communication & Social: Staying in Touch

Instead of Instagram or Pinterest
Use: Xiaohongshu (小红书)

Maps & Transportation: Getting Around Town

Instead of Google Maps
Use: Baidu Maps (百度地图) or Amap/Gaode Map (高德地图)

Have a favorite Chinese app that made your transition easier? Share it with the expat community in the comments below!

Find everything you need to make life in Beijing absolutely perfect at the upcoming Culturopolis.

Images: Freepik, Mina Yan

In a Sea of Apps, Which Ones Really Make Our Lives in BJ Better?

Vivienne Tseng-Rush — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 05:00:51 +0000

In today’s day and age, it seems like every week there’s a nifty new app that will gives you the lowest price on groceries, access to better shared cars and taxis, and translates languages more quickly and accurately. But there are some true essentials that lead the pack, which are pretty indispensable for maximising life here in Beijing.

JSS
Designed with expats in mind and focusing on high-quality English customer service, JSS offers same-day grocery and food delivery from expat-friendly restaurants and grocery stores like Jenny Wang’s. JSS truly tries to connect with its customers, which is why it launched its Brand Ambassador program.

Sherpa’s
Sherpa’s provides a food and grocery delivery service but only works with top-quality restaurants, which means a less wide range of options compared to its Chinese-language counterparts but mainly consists of western-friendly selections. Sherpa’s couriers are trained to ensure a quick, courteous, and correct delivery.

Meituan
Meituan is one of several local food and grocery delivery apps that gets the job done when you’re in a pinch. They generally deliver within the hour and offer a much wider range of restaurants and grocery stores than the earlier two expat-friendly English language apps, if you can navigate its Chinese interface. Plus, you can also rent the yellow Meituan shared bikes using this app!

JingDong (JD)
In the realm of shopping, JD is great for household products and groceries, where you can find almost everything from spinach to stereos. It’s a Chinese-language app but if you can figure it out, it could save you lots of time and effort searching for a brick-and-mortar store for what you need.

Weidian
This is WeChat’s answer to TaoBao, which offers listings by small local business owners with artisanal crafts, foodstuffs, or supplies. Sustainable brands started by expat entrepreneurs such as The Bulk House, KIYANI Botanics, Greeniche, Dancing Yak Handicrafts and The Green Room are some examples of stores you can find on it.

TaoBao
TaoBao is so ubiquitous that it needs no introduction. And if you were first introduced to BaoPals – the English language expat-friendly version of the local app – you really should try TaoBao because of its easy image search function, which we explain in this article here.

Xianyu
A sister to TaoBao, Xianyu is the secondhand version of the popular shopping app and offers plenty of gently-used, practically new clothes, furniture, and other goods. This is great for kids’ stuff which they tend to outgrow quickly. This article tells you all about it!

Dazhong Dianping
Dazhong Dianping or simply Dianping, is essentially what I call the Chinese Yelp, which offers guides for lifestyle and entertainment including restaurants, hotels, cinemas, through business listings, ratings system, and comments section. You can check the app for reviews and recommended specials before you choose a restaurant, helping you and your family to avoid unpleasant surprises. Additionally, paying through the app usually grants you a discount.

Dear Translate
This is editor Mina Yan’s pick of all the free translation apps that are out there right now, and there are a lot. It has a camera translate function that quickly translates the text in front of you and also has an awesome conversation translation function. Best of all, of course, it’s free!

Pleco Chinese Dictionary is probably the best offline Chinese – English dictionary. It integrates dictionaries with an amazing amount (over 110,000) of frequently-updated entries and example sentences with Pinyin, document reader, flashcard system with fullscreen handwriting input, and a live Optical Character Reader (OCR). It also includes audio to help your pronunciation and displays stroke order diagrams showing you how to draw each character.

Tell us which apps you can’t live without here in Beijing (aside from WeChat and Alipay…) in the comments below!

KEEP READING: 5 Free Learning Apps to Help Level Up During Summer

Images: Pexels, Vivienne Tseng-Rush

Hire a Commitment-Free Ayi To Cook and Clean Through This App

Vivienne Tseng-Rush — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 05:00:54 +0000

Since I let go of my ayi before Spring Festival, I’ve been on the look out for a new one. The WeChat groups have tossed around a few names, but many don’t travel out to where I live, and others have said the dog is a no-go for them. Plus, truth be told, I’ve actually enjoyed taking back my home from the auto-pilot it had been running on when ayi was around. So I’m not quite ready to commit to a new full-time ayi just yet. But we can all use some help now and then, particularly if there’s a party you’re organizing at home or if you want to do some major Marie Kondo-ing around the house. This is where the nifty Home King 好康在家 Hǎo kāng zàijiā – which has a more poetic Chinese name that means “Good health at home” – app steps in.

This app allows you to hire an ayi to either just cook, or cook + clean + watch kids, on a one-time basis. The sessions are four hours each and start from RMB 229. If you pay for a package of 25, it’ll cost you RMB 4,999 upfront, but ultimately comes out to less than RMB 200 per session. You can choose from a morning session from 8am to noon, or an afternoon session from 2-6pm.

One benefit of using the app is that they have a small army of ayis on standby and are ready to assign one to you at any time, though they do have a tendency to book out a few days in advance. Plus, once you find one that you really like, you can take note of her name and ask for her to return next time. This service also enjoys a reputation with many locals as being “professional and friendly” as well as “being affordable.”

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to hire an ayi through the app after you’ve downloaded it by searching “Home King” or 好康在家 haokangzaijia.

After completing the registration – which is easiest by syncing with your WeChat account – you can choose either the blue button on the left 日式保洁 Rì shì bǎojié for “Japanese-style cleaning” which really means deep cleaning, or the orange button on the right 做饭保姆 Zuò fàn bǎomǔ for “Cooking, watching kids, and cleaning” or what I call the all-in-one. The difference is a mere RMB 30 / session, so it makes sense to choose the latter if you’ve got kids and might want the ayi to get involved with childcare, or if you’ll also like ayi to cook you a meal.

If you chose the “Japanese-style cleaning” option on the left, on the next page click the second tab from the left. This lets you book an ayi for a single visit. Then click the button with the price on it to book your time slot.

Click the Buy Now button in the bottom right of the next page and click through the options until you get to the final page, where you’ll have to add your address (if you hadn’t already) and choose the date and time. At the time of writing, the next earliest appointment was two days away, so I would recommend planning a few days in advance.

For the all-in-one option, choose the single visit option that appears in the middle of the page with the price RMB 259. You’ll have to choose your time slot before you can click through to the payment page, where you’ll get to choose your date. This option was fully booked for the remainder of the month at the time of writing, which proves just how popular this service is.

To find out how reliable the service was, I tested the app by hiring an ayi for an afternoon of cleaning and cooking. The day before, an SMS was sent for verification. If you wish to cancel, you can do so up to two hours before the appointment. The ayi was slightly late and gave me notice that she would be, so that was acceptable. She also brought a uniform to change into.

I gave her instructions to deep clean the kitchen, which she performed to a T. However, she wasn’t quite as meticulous as I wanted when it came to washing the humidifiers around the house. Later, I asked for her help with cooking dinner – roasted salmon with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. She politely offered advice on the best way to prepare the vegetables and potatoes, and also followed directions to cut and cook well. However, her cooking advice didn’t really pan out, but that’s not surprising as we tend to be rather picky with our meals.

So would I use the service again? Yes, I would, though I wouldn’t want the same person who came the first time. I’m still not ready to commit to a full-time ayi, but will use the app every week or so to help with the chores (I especially hate washing the humidifiers). And if I happen to find “The One” on the way, then hurrah for me!

KEEP READING: Need To Fire Your Ayi? We Share Tips To Answer Your Questions

Images: Vivienne Tseng-Rush

Beauty From Within… Your Home! App Brings Manicurists/Masseuses Straight To Your Door

Vivienne Tseng-Rush — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 07:00:44 +0000

I’ve been in Beijing for almost two years now and it never ceases to amaze me how many beautifully groomed women live in the capital. Growing up as somewhat of a tomboy (do we still say that anymore?) in sunny, sweaty Singapore and being blessed/cursed with little body hair, I never really bothered with plucking my eyebrows or waxing my legs (even though my husband tells me I have hairy knees). What’s more, I’d never had a manicure before my husband brought me to a nail salon on one of our first dates.

It wasn’t until my 20 or 21st birthday that I was finally inducted into the ever-changing world of female beauty standards when my best friend bought me a Groupon for laser hair removal. I continued with the sessions for a couple of years until I had no more hair in unwanted places (I still never did my legs). I started facials the same way: with a special trial price, then got sucked into the beauty black hole to “cure” all my imperfections, from pimples to freckles. Then, after childbirth, it was my postpartum tummy and jelly thighs… it just never ends.

But the Beijing belle takes things to a whole new level. I spoke to a few well-kept Beijing ladies about how they maintain their picture-perfect selves and worked out their grooming schedule and costs at the salon/spa:

Facials: Weekly, RMB 380
Eyelash extensions: Every three weeks, RMB 300
Eyebrows: Every four weeks, RMB 200
Hair removal (Underarm or leg being the most common): Every four weeks, Starting from RMB 150
Hair Cut: Every four weeks, RMB 350
Hair Color: Whenever the mood strikes/every six weeks for maintenance, RMB 800
Hair Care: Every four weeks, RMB 350
Manicure and Pedicures: Every four weeks, RMB 600 for both

Phew. And that’s before we delve into more invasive procedures such as Botox, which is surprisingly common here. But that’s a whole other Pandora’s box all its own. No wonder women are always pictured at the salon or in the midst of some kind of beauty regimen (think Julia Roberts with the cold cream and cucumber eye masks in My Best Friend’s Wedding). If we are to look anything like how we are imagined to look, we would have to dedicate an incredible amount of time to the pursuit of pretty.

I’d like to point out that I’m typing this as I sit in a hair salon getting my hair colored and cut, so I’m a complete victim of the endless pursuit.

But what if you could do it all from home and for a significantly lower cost?

That’s where the 河狸家 Hé lí jiā app steps in. This decade-old app is the secret that a Beijing belle and good friend of mine shared with me. Its mainstay is dedicated to providing at-home beauty services, though there is also an option to book appointments at over 5,000 beauty salons and spas through the app.

When you first download the app, it will ask you to choose the categories that you are most interested in – from nails to make-up to body treatments.

Booking an appointment on the same day is easy, just click the button circled below to view available time slots! I was able to book an appointment for eyelash extensions within three hours.

They also claim to provide 24 hour service, though I have yet to test that myself…

The lowest price I saw for eyelash extensions was RMB 99, and the most expensive was RMB 488, so how much you spend is really up to you.

Pro Tip: My Beijing belle friend used the app until she discovered a particular service provider that she really clicked with, and has since personally set up appointments with her, in order to enjoy more exclusive service.

So there you have it, a beauty app that will hopefully save you some time and money!

KEEP READING: In Favor of Guasha Over the Knife

Images: 河狸家

Today I Don’t Feel Like Doing Anything, Here’s What I Do Instead. Game On!

XueFei Liu — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 03:00:22 +0000

As Bruno Mars once said, “Today I don’t feel like doing anything.” We all have those lazy days when we do absolutely nothing but stare at our phones, hoping that the black hole of technology will swallow us up and never let go. And yes, using WeChat to pass the time has become overrated. Nevertheless, after some intense digging into the lives of Beijing’s teens, these are the top apps we use to practice procrastination at its finest.

开心消消乐 aka the Chinese Candy Crush

This is a classic elimination game in which players knock out rows of three or more animals of the same color by connecting them in a straight line. There are four templates for the game: score clearance, specified elimination, golden pods, and cloud levels. There are also special tools such as bombs and firecrackers that can eliminate larger groups of animals. With endless levels, weekly and monthly competitions, and special themes for specific holidays (like Christmas and Valentine’s Day), this crazy addictive game is the perfect way to kill time.

Wordscapes

Unlike classic word-based games, Wordscapes is the perfect fit for fans of crossword, word connect, and word anagram challenges. It combines the best of all of them, making it the ideal choice for any logophile. What’s more, there’s also a seemingly endless amount of levels set in gorgeous landscapes and a progress tracker. Competitions kick off at the start of each season, and you can even form a team with your friends and compete with other anagram fanatics around the world!

快看漫画 aka the Chinese Webtoon

With an extensive library of comics to scroll through, KuaiKan is the perfect app for avid readers. It has comics in English, Chinese, Korean, and even Japanese covering a variety of genres including Chinese dynasty comics, idol drama comics, youth comics, and even mythological comics. It’s worth noting that some comics and authors require a KuaiKan membership that runs RMB 15 per month, however, most of the mangas are free. Lastly, the platform has a floating comments feature that allows you to see what your fellow manga addicts are saying about the story. Just watch out for spoilers!

Taobao

Window shopping definitely applies to e-commerce as well, as teens are known to spend a large chunk of their 24 hour day simply scrolling through stores on Taobao. With a variety of retailers, items, and products, Taobao is super user-friendly and is fantastic at recommending products tailored to the items you have in your shopping cart. Whether you’re a video gamer, fashionista, or aspiring visual artist, there’s a world of stores on Taobao to suit your cravings. Even if you don’t end up buying everything in your cart, you’ll manage to snatch up something super-cute and super cheap!

Sudoku

Despite the fact that this is an age-old Japanese logic-based math game, its popularity endures across generations. Sudoku puzzles consist of a grid with nine squares subdivided into a further nine squares, with the numerals 1-9 appearing once in each horizontal line, vertical line, and square. It’s then up to the player to insert numbers one to nine to complete the puzzle. If you’re someone who falls hard for numerical challenges, Sudoku is a must-try. And no, this game is not just for nerds. After a few rounds, you’ll get the hang of it and before you know it, you’ll be playing religiously.

What’s your favorite way to procrastinate? Let us know in the comments!

KEEP READING: I Stopped Using a VPN a Year Ago and I Don’t Miss It

Images: Pexels, Baidu Baike Images

I Stopped Using a VPN a Year Ago and I Don’t Miss It

XueFei Liu — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 03:00:14 +0000

How many of us have heard that when moving to China, you must install a VPN on all of your devices in order to survive? Well, I’m here to tell you that it just ain’t true. From texting and stalking celebrities to watching funny cat videos and binging all your favorite TV shows (yes, even the overseas ones), the following apps developed right here in China have got you covered.

#1 iQIYI

If you haven’t heard of this one then you’ve been living under a rock, big time. iQIYI is basically the Chinese Netflix. Televised entertainment from all over the world can be viewed on this platform. Aside from the biggest American movies, iQIYI has reality shows, comedy shows, all the popular K-dramas, J-dramas etc. It supports multiple screens and allows you to watch content anytime. While some shows require an iQIYI membership, most of the movies and TV dramas are free. Even if the show you want to watch requires purchasing a membership, it’s only RMB 20 (USD 3) a month, which is cheaper than Netflix by USD 7.

#2 NetEase Cloud Music

NetEase Cloud Music is the most popular music app in China, and it’s not hard to see why. Artists from all over the world post their music and albums on NetEase. Like Spotify, you’re able to follow other users and artists. But with NetEase, you’re able to post videos of your own, look at performance videos and music videos from your idols, and favorite, like, and comment on those videos. You’re also able to post a “status” by re-sharing another post, sharing a song track or album, or by posting your own music covers. What better way to enjoy music than by listening, sharing, and creating!

#3 Bilibili

Here in China, there’s the Chinese version of YouTube. Bilibili has billons of funny videos, make-up tutorials, gaming videos, restaurant and store reviews, and celebrity performances. Similar to YouTube, you can make your own account and post videos, comment under others people’s videos, like and share other videos, and track your subscriber count. To register as an official member, you’ll have to take a 100-question quiz and go through Real Name Verification to prove you’re a real human. However, if you think the fuss is too much, you’re still able to surf the site and watch videos without an account.

#4 Sina Weibo

Weibo is China’s hottest Twitter-like social network. With trending topics, different hashtags, and the ability to follow others, Weibo gives you access to the world and its celebrities. You’re able to post images and videos, comment under other people’s posts, like posts, share posts, and send messages to other users. Like Twitter, there is a “followers” count and a “following” count. In addition to its active users, the site hosts over 400 million business pages, and many celebrities who do not speak Chinese use the site to reach out to their Chinese fanbase. You’re free to stalk celebrities from all over the world and join fan clubs as well.

#5 Pumpkin Movie (Nan Gua Dian Ying)

This is another alternative app for the all-time favorite Netflix. Pumpkin Movie allows you to watch any movie that has been released on Netflix, and even has movies available on their platform before they’re available at your local cinemas. What better way to watch the newest hit TV shows from the comfort of your own couch. To gain access to all the TV shows, movies, and dramas, you must have a membership, and Pumpkin Movie gives you a one-month free-trial by subscribing to it with your phone number. When your trial is up, you’ll need to pay RMB 8 (USD 1.24) per month to access the platform, which is cheaper than Netflix by almost USD 9!

#6 RenRen Video

RenRen is a video sharing platform that includes dramas and TV shows from all around the world. With different genres of videos, varying from stand-up comedy to horror films, you’ll definitely find something up your alley. You’re able to watch videos and write comments without purchasing a membership. However, some TV shows and K-dramas (containing graphic scenes) require a membership to unlock the series. The membership is RMB 9 per month and will also turn off ads, give you the ability to turn off comments, and upgrade your video resolution. There are also yearly memberships and discounts available on the platform that changes from time to time.

So there you go, entertainment apps you can access without a VPN to maximize your leisure time in China. Happy binging!

KEEP READING: “Choosing a College Is Like Dating,” and Other Insights From Graduate Summit 2021

Images: Unsplash

Plugged In: Tech The Vuillermin-Cui Family Can’t Live Without

Michelle Zhang — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 07:00:22 +0000

Nowadays it’s impossible to live in a city like Beijing and not depend on technology for your daily needs. Whether it’s for transportation, news, or just entertainment, we’re always plugged in! Dad Daniel Vuillermin is originally from Australia and works as a lecturer at the School of Health Humanities at Peking University. In his free time, he coordinates Spittoon Beijing and plays music for Boss Cuts, Back Seat Bingo, and The Ravages. Mom Cui Ling is a senior account director in the advertising industry. The couple welcomed their son Yuni three years ago, who was born in Beijing and attends Peking University Health Science Center Kindergarten.

Daniel

As an only child, my siblings were video games so I’ve owned a console from almost every generation. If I had to choose one console it would have to be the Nintendo Switch, if only for “Zelda: Breath of the Wild.” It’s much more child-friendly than the PlayStation 4. I also can’t live without Spotify. Listening to music and podcasts is the best way to survive subway journeys.

Yuni

During our two-week quarantine, Yuni started playing his Dad’s Nintendo Switch and it turns out he is really good at classic games like “Yoshi’s Island” and “Super Mario Bros.” As a treat –– or if we want him to be quiet –– we let him use iPad apps such as Little Penguin Garden (小企鹅乐园 xiǎo qì’é lèyuán), which has a huge selection of Chinese and international cartoons. But his favorite app is YouTube Kids as it has a lot of monster truck videos.

Ling

Before COVID-19, I would spend a lot of time gazing at C-Trip dreaming about all of the places I could go to. But until we can travel again, the iMuseum app is a great resource for keeping up to date with the latest cultural events in Beijing, China, and abroad. For families I recommend VUE. This app is great at taking really cool short films. It is simple to use and has stunning visual effects so that we can all become influencers.

KEEP READING: New Arrivals: Say Hello to Beijing’s Smallest

Photos: Uni You

This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 November issue

Beijing On The Way: How to Get Around Beijing with Mobike and DiDi

Pennywu — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 02:00:06 +0000

As the capital city of China, Beijing has all of the usual big-city transportation options available: bikes, buses, taxis, and subways. However, It could be difficult to utilize any of these options if you don’t understand Chinese. Luckily, there are alternative methods to use when traveling around Beijing simply by using your phone and some savvy apps to make any destination in Beijing accessible.

Instead of desperately looking for a cab on the street, it can be more convenient to hail a cab on a mobile app called DiDi these days. Don’t worry about the language barriers as a new arrival, as DiDi also has a version for English speakers. Alternatively, if you prefer cycling around town, then don’t miss out on bike sharing. Bike sharing is a cheap and convenient answer to getting around the city and has become a large market in China over the past couple of years. Currently, Mobike rules the market and their app is incredibly accessible for any English speaker. Here are some steps to show you how to set up your DiDi and Mobike to get around Beijing.

How to set up DiDi English

Step 1: Install DiDi

Search for DiDi in the APP store and download it to your phone.

Step 2: Sign up on your phone

Open the DiDi app and fill in your mobile number. When you enter the “enter password” page, tap “sign in with verification code” to get the code sent to your phone. Enter the code and you can choose to set up your own password for login.

Step 3: Set language

Go to the “settings” and change the language to English.

Step 4: Set up payment

Click and enter “My wallet” page, choose “payment methods”. Follow the easy instructions and set up your payment method. This can either be through WeChat or your debit card.

Step 5: Call a DiDi car

Once you’ve completed the set up, you can now order a car through DiDi! There are four common car types on DiDi English: Express, Taxi, Premier, and Luxe cars.

Step 6: Request a car and wait for it

You can see the model and plate number of the car at the bottom, and the real-time location of the driver to manage your time. By tapping “message”, you can choose some pre-defined messages which are really helpful to avoid answering a phone call from the driver.

If you want to cancel, you can tap “cancel” and choose the reason for your cancelation. Note that you may cancel without paying a compensation fee within 3 minutes after the driver has accepted the order.

Step 7: Pay for the ride

The driver will send your fare to your DiDi account once you arrive at the destination. You’ll need to confirm the cost and choose a payment method to pay for the ride. But if you take a taxi, they will usually ask you to pay before you get out of the car.

How to Set Up Mobike

Step 1: Download the Mobike app

Mobike has its own English interface if your phone isn’t set in Chinese. You can also use Mobike mini program on WeChat by scanning the QR code to access.

Step 2: Sign up on your phone

Open your Mobike app and sign in with your phone number to get a verification code. Enter the code and login. You can also sign in with your WeChat account.

Step 3: Top up or pay via WeChat

Renting a Mobike costs RMB 1 per half hour. You can tap “My Wallet ” to purchase a Mobike card to save money, or top up your wallet. They will also often have promotions and discounts such as monthly passes that costs RMB 25.

Step 4: Rent a Mobike

Through the location sharing function on Mobike, you can locate all of the nearby bikes. Then scan the QR code on the bike when found, and it will unlock.

Step 5: Park and lock the bike

Once you arrive, park the bike at a proper location and simply lock it up. It will automatically stop the time on the app and you will be charged.

Note: As Mobike was sold to local lifestyle information and trading platform Meituan in 2018, you can also use Meituan to scan QR codes to access Mobike.

This article appeared in the beijingkids June 2019 Home & Relocation Guide issue.