Valentine’s Day is coming up, and just because we’re quarantined at home doesn’t mean this day isn’t going to be special. Instead of a date night out, make this Valentine’s Day a family affair.

While we might not be able to stroll around shopping centers to pick out the perfect gift that embodies your love, it doesn’t mean you can’t help your kids order mom the perfect bouquet of flowers.

To order fresh flower bouquets delivered at the exact time you want is easier than it sounds through eleme, the same app that we use for our food deliveries.

Some vendors on eleme have already started their Valentine’s Day promotions, whether it’s food, wine, or flowers.

To order a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers, download the eleme app. Click here for a step by step guide.

In the search bar type in flower (花 hua in Chinese). A list of flower boutiques around you will pop up. Then it’s just a matter of choosing the bouquet that you like.

After you’ve selected the bouquet you want, proceed to payment. Before you confirm your payment, select the delivery time.

Delivery can be as quick as the same day, with time dependent on the distance the boutique is from you, or you can select a different day and time. Eleme offers delivery time in 30-minute increments which means you’ll receive your flowers roughly around the time you want.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Photos: Unsplash, harpersbazaar.com, thesun.co.uk

Self-quarantine is part of the return plan for many Beijingers who find themselves extending their vacations in different parts of the world. Along with a later start date to the Spring semester, this step is just another measure to ensure that the coronavirus doesn’t spread any further than it already has. But it would be a lie to say it won’t be a massive inconvenience. In reality, as appealing as the idea of being cloistered in one’s house, cut off from all other human contact might be, it paints an entirely different picture when one remembers the reason behind it is medical. But where to start? Here’s a quick self-quarantine survival guide to make your 14 days in not only bearable, but pleasant.

Medical Supplies

If ever there is a time to be a serious germaphobe, this is it. You should have enough hand sanitizer to last you through Armageddon. Okay, maybe that’s an overreaction. But you should have enough to last you well past your 14 days in. Everyone from the waimai delivery guy, to your own family members should be considered germ disseminators. Add to that the fact that you will need to be self-monitoring your own temperature to identify whether or not you are running a fever before it is too late. You might also need to top up your supplements in the event that you didn’t bring them along with you from your home country, with special emphasis on vitamin C, which has been touted as being particularly important to keep the virus at bay. Then you have other household disinfectants like bleach, soaps, and detergents to ensure your environment remains clean and germ-free at all times. There is also, obviously, the issue of face masks and where to purchase them without having to deal with the price gouging tactics resorted to by some unscrupulous vendors.  All your sanitizers, detergents, cleaning agents and the like can easily be purchased on eleme 饿了么 or meituan 美团, with both apps giving you the option to choose a convenient time for delivery. China Post has also entered the fray with a similar delivery app  Masks and other medical implements such as gloves and thermometers can be ordered well in advance on Taobao, and all at a reasonable market price.

Groceries and Food

Depending on what you have as a meal plan for your 14 days in, it is safe to say that you might have to buy them all in bulk to limit exposure while in quarantine. Seeing as you won’t be strolling down to your local grocers any time soon, it might be important to set up your Mei Ri You Xian 每日优鲜 app to ensure fast and easy delivery of meat, veg, and everything in between. You might also need to arm yourself with a few recipes just in case you feel you stand a risk of making the same old thing again and again. If the DIY thing is really not for you, then you can take advantage of Hulu’s new quarantine delivery service. With an extensive menu, they not only offer a quick delivery, but do so in style and in beautiful packaging. Unfortunately, this service is currently available to certain parts of  Beijing, so if you are in Shunyi you might be out of luck.

Entertainment

The phrase ‘Netflix and chill’ should now be officially changed to ‘Netflix and quarantine’. If you are going to be in for 14 days straight, then you will need something to keep you and the kids entertained beyond watching the coronavirus tallies. In the event that your Netflix account doesn’t work on the mainland, you will be happy to know that several Chinese streaming sites offer up-to-date movies, and all in English as well, unless you choose the translated version of what you would like to watch – which would be a great way to bone up on your Chinese! Apps like QIY (爱奇艺), YouKu, Mango Tv (芒果tv), and Tencent (腾讯视频) are perfect for series, movies and even kids shows. Be it Korean dramas to the latest seasons of your favorite series, you can find it all there. Their interfaces are easy to use, despite the display language being Chinese. But the icons will help you navigate through, no problem.

What about Valentine’s Day?

Chances are, this won’t be the year that you will leave the kids with Ayi and have a romantic night out on the town, or even take that romantic trip for a little bonding time. But there are still ways to ensure that Valentine’s Day remains special despite being under quarantine. It starts with a little vino, which you can have delivered courtesy of Cheers, who has a wide selection of wines from all around the world. A quick search through Taobao might also reveal a ton of fun games for not only you and your special someone, but also for the kids as well, to transform this Valentine’s Day into a family fun day.

Photos: cheers-wines.com, Natural News, The Next Web, pandaily.com, kanzhun.com, baidu.com, blog.naver.com, mip-china.com

Today (January 29) Sherpa’s announced that they’re temporarily suspending delivery in Beijing due to the severity of the coronavirus epidemic. This, of course, makes the lives of expats in Beijing that much harder as Sherpa’s has become to go-to source for food deliveries for us.

But fret not. There are still other apps still in full swing that’ll get your favorite foods (and more) delivered to your door. All you need to do is download one of the Chinese delivery apps and learn a few keywords. You can get your food, groceries, face masks, thermometers, and other necessities delivered to your door.

In this post, we shall be looking at Eleme (饿了么), a close contender to the more popular Meituan (美团) which is also used by many an expat for shopping and delivery.

Here is how it works:

1 – After downloading the app from an app store of your choice, input your address, and your telephone number which will come in handy during delivery.

2 – After keying in the all-important details, it is now time for you to explore the options on your home page. The five large top icons are mostly what you will need in order to have things delivered to your house. If you want them to run specific errands to places not listed in their options, click the run errands option (second from the right) and provide very specific instructions on where to go and what you want.

3 – Input the name of your favorite restaurant. Chances are if they were on Sherpa’s they’ll be on the Chinese delivery apps as well. While the names are listed in Chinese, each item has a picture next to it so you pretty much know what you’re getting. This adds an extra step, but to double-check your order, you can take a screenshot and put it through a translation app like Dear Translate.

Some stores might need you to hit a minimum in order to allow for delivery. Please note that during this period, there is a slight increase in delivery charges but this should not discourage you from searching for your mask.

Translations You Might Need:

facemask: 口罩
bottled water: 矿泉水
thermometor：体温计
handwash: 洗手液
disinfectant: 消毒液

Happy convenient shopping, and stay safe.

Photos: Mina Yan, shine.cn

If you’re at your wits’ end over what to cook, then don’t fret, as getting hot, delicious food delivered to your doorstep is very simple. Beijing has several English- and Chinese-based delivery services that simplify your life by giving you one less thing to think about.

Here’s a list of English-only delivery services that truly deliver.

English Apps

Sherpa’s
Sherpa’s familiar orange scooters can be seen across the Chaoyang and Dongcheng districts. It has a large selection of partner restaurants such as Home Plate BBQ, Wagas, and Tandoori Kitchen.
Delivery zones: Chaoyang and Dongcheng districts
Delivery fee: Starts at RMB 15 and increases according to distance. Sherpa’s has a happy hour promotion from 1-6pm on weekdays where the delivery fee is waived if the total is RMB 20 or less. There’s a minimum delivery amount of RMB 100 at dinner hours starting from 6pm.
Average delivery time: 45-50 minutes
Delivery hours: Daily 10.30am-10.30pm, closed during major holidays.
How to order: Check their app, website at www.sherpa.com.cn, or contact 400 600 6209

Youcansong
Youcansong 优餐送 delivers from Chinese and international restaurants. In its own words, Youcansong delivers “the best food with superior service.”
Delivery zones: Chaoyang and Dongcheng districts
Delivery fee: Delivery fee is calculated by the distance from the restaurant to your home. Youcansong charges RMB 15 for the first 3km and RMB 5 for each additional kilometer.
Average delivery time: 45-60 minutes
Delivery hours: Daily 10.30am to 10.30pm, though delivery hours may vary from restaurant to restaurant.
How to order and pay: Online via www.youcansong.com, through the app, or by calling 4000 700 250 or 6500 9155. You can also use cash or POS (China Union Pay cards only) upon delivery.

Jinshisong
Jinshisong 锦食送 is one of the larger delivery services for western restaurants. It has international and Chinese selections and covers a wider delivery area than Sherpa’s.
Delivery zones: Chaoyang, Dongcheng, Xicheng, and Haidian districts
Delivery fee: Starts at RMB 15, though many restaurants offer free delivery within 3km. There is a minimum order of RMB 68.
Average delivery time: 45 minutes
Delivery hours: Daily 10.30am-10.30pm
How to order and pay: Check the app, website at www.jinshisong.com or contact 400 030 0517. Cash or POS upon delivery, WeChat or Alipay if ordering via the app.

Chinese-only Apps

Meituan Waimai 美团外卖
Delivery zones: Across Beijing
Delivery fee: This depends on the restaurant but usually doesn’t exceed RMB 10. Meituan Waimai also has a minimum price range for food items that can be delivered.
Average delivery time: 30-60 minutes, depending on distance
Delivery hours: 24-hours for a limited number of restaurants, other opening hours vary by restaurant.
How to order and pay: Via the app. You need to pay using Baidu Wallet, Alipay, or WeChat Wallet upon ordering, though some restaurants accept cash on delivery.

Baidu Waimai
Delivery zones: Across Beijing
Delivery fee: Delivery is calculated by distance from the restaurant, but is rarely more than RMB 5-10.
Average delivery time: 30-60 minutes, depending on distance.
Delivery hours: 24-hours for a limited number of restaurants, other opening hours vary by restaurant.
How to order and pay: Via the app or call 1010 5777. You can also use Baidu Wallet, Alipay, WeChat Wallet, or cash on delivery (for some restaurants only).

Eleme 饿了么
Delivery zones: Across Beijing
Delivery fee: Up to RMB 20 (for restaurants) and RMB 30 (for fruit deliveries)
Average delivery time: 30-60 minutes, depending on distance
Delivery hours: 24-hours for a limited number of restaurants, other opening hours vary by restaurant.
How to order and pay: Via app. You need to pay via Baidu Wallet, Alipay, or WeChat Wallet upon ordering, though some restaurants accept cash on delivery

This article appeared on p56-57 of the beijingkids July 2018 Home & Relocation Guide issue

If you’re at your wits’ end over what to cook, then don’t fret, as getting hot, delicious food delivered to your doorstep is very simple. Beijing has several English- and Chinese-based delivery services that simplify your life by giving you one less thing to think about. Here’s a list of English-only delivery services that truly deliver.

Sherpa’s

Its familiar orange scooters can be seen across the Chaoyang and Dongcheng districts. It has a large selection of partner restaurants such as Home Plate BBQ, Wagas, and Tandoori Kitchen.

Delivery zones: Chaoyang and Dongcheng districts

Delivery fee: Starts at RMB 15 and increases according to distance. Sherpa’s has a happy hour promotion from 1-6pm on weekdays where the delivery fee is waived if the total is RMB 20 or less. There’s a minimum delivery amount of RMB 100 at dinner hours starting from 6pm.

How to order: Check their app and website or contact 400 600 6209

Jinshisong 锦食送

It is one of the larger delivery services for western restaurants. It has international and Chinese selections and covers a wider delivery area than Sherpa’s.

Delivery zones: Chaoyang, Dongcheng, Xicheng, and Haidian

Delivery fee: Starts at RMB 15, though many restaurants offer free delivery within 3km. There is a minimum order of RMB 68.

How to order and pay:  Check their app or website or contact 400 030 0517. Cash or POS upon delivery, WeChat or Alipay if ordering via the app.

KK Rabbit

offers a range of international and Chinese cuisine, though it is more limited than Sherpa’s or Jinshisong. KK Rabbit Operators can also take orders through MSN and Skype.

Delivery zones: Guomao, Sanlitun, Chaoyang Park and Shunyi

Delivery fee: RMB 15 for addresses within 3km of the restaurant. There’s an extra RMB 7 for every kilometer after that. When you place an order through the website, KK Rabbit will call you within ten minutes to tell you the correct delivery fee; the website tends to overestimate the fee as a conservative measure.

How to order: Their website is easier than calling as the orders can easily be mistaken. Hotline: 400 720 1717

Youcansong 优餐送

delivers from Chinese and international restaurants. In its own words, Youcansong delivers “the best food with superior service.”

Delivery zones: Chaoyang and Dongcheng districts

Delivery fee: Delivery fee is calculated by the distance from the restaurant to your home. Youcansong charges RMB 15 for the first 3km and RMB 5 for each additional kilometer.

How to order and pay: Online via website or app, or by calling 4000 700 250 or 6500 9155. You can also use cash or POS (China Union Pay cards only) upon delivery.

Chinese-only Apps

Meituan Waimai 美团外卖

It’s a must for finding restaurants, food delivery, deals and vouchers, shopping, purchasing tickets, and so much more. Even better, with Meituan you can access its listings through WeChat.

Delivery zones: Across Beijing

Delivery fee: This depends on the restaurant but usually doesn’t exceed RMB 10. Meituan Waimai also has a minimum price range for food items that can be delivered.

How to order and pay: Via the app. You need to pay using Baidu Wallet, Alipay, or WeChat Wallet upon ordering, though some restaurants accept cash on delivery.

Baidu Waimai

Delivery zones: Across Beijing

Delivery fee: Delivery is calculated by distance from the restaurant, but is rarely more than RMB 5-10.

How to order and pay: Via the app or call 1010 5777. You can also use Baidu Wallet, Alipay, WeChat Wallet, or cash on delivery (for some restaurants only).

Eleme 饿了么

Delivery zones: Across Beijing

Delivery fee: Up to RMB 20 (for restaurants) and RMB 30 (for fruit deliveries)

How to order and pay: Via app. You need to pay via Baidu Wallet, Alipay, or WeChat Wallet upon ordering, though some restaurants accept cash on delivery.

This article originally appeared on p 54-55 of beijingkids May Issue.
Download the digital copy here.

Featured photo from Baohm via Pixabay