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

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

There’s a saying in China: 民以食为天 (mínyǐshíwéitiān), “To the People, Food Is Heaven”. It’s a good indication of just how serious people are in this country about food and eating. Beijing’s food apps have a wide variety of whatever you might be craving to be delivered to your home at any time, and will simplify your life by giving you one less thing to think about. Here we will introduce two English-based delivery services, Sherpa’s and Jingshisong, and one of the most popular Chinese-only food apps, Meituan Waimai, with some steps to help you set it up.

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 including expat favorites such as Home Plate BBQ, Wagas, and Q Mex.

Delivery zones: Chaoyang, Dongcheng, Xicheng, and Haidian districts

Delivery fee: Starts at RMB 15 that covers the first 3.2km and increases according to distance. Sherpa’s has a happy hour promotion from 2-5.30pm on weekdays, where a delivery fee of up to RMB 20 is waived for a minimum order of RMB 80.

Average delivery time: 45-50 minutes

Delivery hours: Daily 10.30am-10.30pm, closed during major holidays.

How to order: Download their app, check their website at www.sherpa.com.cn, or contact 400 856 6209

Jinshisong

Jinshisong 锦食送 is one of the larger delivery services for western restaurants. It has international and Chinese selections.

Delivery zones: Chaoyang, Dongcheng, Xicheng, and Haidian districts

Delivery fee: Starts at RMB 15, though many restaurants offer free delivery within 3km if you register your phone number and receive a JSS free Premier Card. There is a minimum order of RMB 60.

Average delivery time: 45-50 minutes

Delivery hours: Daily 10.30am-10.30pm

How to order and pay:  Download the app, check their website at www.jinshisong.com, or contact 400 900 5877. Cash or POS upon delivery, WeChat or Alipay if ordering via the app.

Chinese-only Apps

MeituanWaimai

Meituan Waimai (美团外卖 měituánwàimài)  offers food delivery, movie tickets, shopping, various discounts, and much more. You can even access Meituan from Wechat Pay.

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 generally need to pay using bank cards, Apple Pay, Alipay, or WeChat Wallet upon ordering, though some restaurants accept cash on delivery.

How to set up MeituanWaimai

Step 1: Download Meituan Waimai

Search on “MeituanWaimai” (美团外卖, měituánwàimài) with a little yellow kangaroo logo on your phone and download it. You can also access it by tapping on the Food Delivery button on WeChat Pay (it’s under “Powered by third-party operator,” and you’ll see the kangaroo.)

Step 2: Register your account

Tap on the “Me”(“我的”, wǒ de) button in the bottom right-hand corner to get started. Then tap the text at the top, next to the profile picture. Here, you will need to enter your phone number to get a verification code by text message (should be six digits). Enter it and continue.

Step 3: Setting your address

Tap on the “Me” (“我的”, wǒ de) page again, click the “Address” (“我的地址”, wǒ de dìzhǐ) to set your address to get food delivery. When setting your address, you can use the maps function to try to best approximate your apartment building. Here, on the profile page, you can also set your name, gender, and phone number.

Step 4: Select your meal

Go back to the Home page to select food. If you already know the food you are craving, type the name at the very top of the page; for example, type “bisa” for 比萨 (bǐ sà), and you’ll get a list of pizza restaurants. Tap the first red icon which says “美食”(měi shí, “good food”) to see a list of all the most popular restaurants in your area. Enjoy your meal!

This article appeared in the beijingkids June 2019 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.

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