Image: Reuters / Edgar Su
As of the end of 2016, there are 731 million internet users in China. The figure is more than half of 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 the World Wide Web from mobile devices. And all of these users use mobile applications on a daily basis, mainly created in China and for the Chinese market.
As you know, the PRC has the highest level of Internet censorship. In China, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, the Google search engine and related services are blocked: the Google Play app store, the Gmail email client, and Google Maps. All these resources can only be accessed using a VPN connection. The technology allows you to bypass the Firewall. By 2018, the Chinese authorities promise to completely block VPNs. But it looks like most Chinese internet users don't even need it. This tight control of the Internet has helped shape China's unique marketplace. 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 mobile apps in China. The ranking is based on the number of active users per month 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 app, created by internet giant Tencent in 2011, is the most famous Chinese mobile app in and beyond the Middle Kingdom. It is customary to call Wechat the Chinese equivalent of Whatsapp. But in fact, the functionality of Wechat is much broader. The application combines many options and is simultaneously a messenger, a social network, a service for ordering tickets and calling a taxi, a mobile wallet (an instant money transfer service) and much, much more.
2. QQ
Monthly active users: 551.708 million
Another popular Chinese messenger from Tencent. The QQ program was created for a computer in 1999 under the name OICQ ("Open ICQ") as a replica of ICQ. But after the conflict regarding the infringement of intellectual property rights, it was named 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 app, owned by Baidu, is designed to search and view video content, with an emphasis on licensed high-definition video. You can search and watch videos for free. A paid subscription allows you to enjoy ad-free videos without ads.
4. QQ Live
Monthly active users: 490.624 million
Service for watching videos. Users can leave reviews, rate films, share their favorite films with friends.
5. Sogou Input
Monthly active users: 489.683 million
How do Chinese people type hieroglyphs on computers and smartphones? Most use the Sogou app. There is a keyboard for handwriting input, voice input function.
6. Taobao
Monthly active users: 447.410 million
Taobao is a symbol of China, like a panda or rice. It is the most popular online trading 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 railway tickets, travel packages, exchange recommendations with friends and conduct microblogging.
7. Alipay
Monthly active users: 443.897 million
Alipay, created by the Alibaba group of companies, is the most popular Chinese payment system today. With the help of the service, users pay for purchases in online stores, communications, utilities. Most restaurants, shops and even markets accept Alipay. Also, through the application, you can transfer money to a bank account, apply for a deposit, insurance, get a loan or purchase securities. By comparison, 197 million people use PayPal services.
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 total number of platform users per month exceeded 340 million people, thus leaving Sina Weibo behind its American counterpart - Twitter - with 328 million active users. Weibo has surpassed 154 million daily active users.
9. Baidu Search
Monthly active users: 377.804 million
The main search engine, "Chinese Google".
10. QQ Browser
Monthly active users: 360,261 million
The popular browser from Tencent has received critical reviews for insufficient privacy protection.
11. Baidu Maps
Monthly active users: 323,626 million
The app works in Chinese. Since 2016, maps have been available not only of China, Hong Kong and Macau, but also of other countries, such as Italy, Spain, France, South Korea and many others.
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 the smartphone, optimizes computer memory, removes unnecessary files.
14. Autonavi Minimap
Monthly active users: 310,440 million
The application has several useful options: voice navigation, the ability to draw up a detailed route, search for cafes, restaurants and other establishments. The creators promise high data accuracy and reliability.
15. Youku
Monthly active users: 306,359 million
Youku is the largest video portal in China by the number of visits. 80% of Youku's revenue comes from advertising. The service has over 20,000 VR videos (360 degrees).
16. Kugou
Monthly active users: 290,873 million
The Kugou Music app can be installed on a 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 app 万能 钥匙 also allows you to enable the WiFi hotspot on your smartphone for other devices.
19.QQ Music (QQ 音乐)
Monthly active users: 271,327 million
Popular application for searching and listening to music. Allows you to listen to tracks for free, create your own playlists, 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 app offers weather forecasts for over 70 cities. According to the developer, Moji Weather is used by 500 million people around the world. Real-time and 15-day weather forecasts are available, as well as an air quality forecast. The weather forecast is represented by amusing characters.
24. Iflytek Voice Input
Monthly active users: 223,545 million
Alternative keyboard for mobile devices with manual or voice dialing 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 video search and watch app.
28. Article News
Monthly active users: 136,423 million
News application.
29. Kuwo Player
Monthly active users: 129,241 million
App 酷 我 音乐 播放 器 for searching and listening to music.
30.360appstore
Monthly active users: 128,003 million
Another store for applications and mobile games.
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 of the popular JD.com trading platform in China.
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, remove oily sheen. The app is called Mei Yan Xiang Ji (美颜 相机), which translates to “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
App store for Huawei devices.
38. VIVO Game Center
Monthly active users: 107.753 million
Game center from the manufacturer of mobile devices VIVO.
39.360 Browser
Monthly active users: 106.786 million
Free mobile version of the browser for iOS, Android, WIndows Phone from the Chinese developer Qihoo.
40. QQ Mail
Monthly active users: 103.837 million
The mobile application of a popular mail agent in China allows you to use several mailboxes at the same time, 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 to maintain a high speed of the smartphone, optimizes the memory of the device.
43. QQ hlddz
Monthly active users: 98.477 million
A 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 is able to even out skin tone, remove dark circles under the eyes, make the face narrower, the eyes bigger, the figure slimmer. There are many stickers and special effects available.
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 app description notes that Netease has been chosen by 400 million people.
16. If you are not ordering noodles, remind me of the "mythan", that is, rice. Because rice in China is like our bread.
17. If you enter a cafe without pictures, you can ask for a password from Wi-Fi and 10 minutes to sort out the menu. The google photo translator will help: point the camera at the menu page, take a photo and read the translation of the dishes.
19. China has a great and terrible Chinese firewall. Accordingly, only Skype, Viber, VK, Yandex work normally. Everything else is just using a VPN. Free VPNs in operation in 2017-2018 - Supervpn and Turbovpn on the phone; BetterNet and Psyphon on laptop or tablet. If you want a completely stable Internet, you can buy a VPN - in half a year, about BYN 45. In general, all Chinese sites and applications work much faster than foreign ones.
20. Accommodation in China is generally inexpensive, with the exception of huge metropolitan areas such as Beijing and - they top the ranking in terms of cost per night. The price depends on the province and the popularity of the city. Do not rush to book the cheapest accommodation without reading the description - it may only be available to Chinese citizens. The reason is the mandatory registration of all hotel guests with the police. However, not all hotels are licensed to accommodate foreigners. Most hotels from 3 stars have such a license. In order not to get into an awkward situation, read the reviews on the website where you are booking. On the Booking It is convenient to prevent this kind of trouble in the following way: see the rating, the "important information" column or the section with numbers - it may indicate that guests can only be citizens of mainland China. Also see the reviews of foreigners (not Chinese, because at the moment they are actively using this platform for booking) and the date of the last review (the hostel you have chosen may already be closed). Booking prices are often more expensive than Asian apps. An alternative would be Trip.com(or Trip mobile app).
21. Australian and American sockets are popular in China which do not support European connectors. However, in tourist places, universal sockets are actively used, adapted for all types of connectors, so you hardly need to worry about an adapter - unless you have a special route.
22. Free Wi-Fi exists in almost every establishment, but to use it, you often need to enter a phone number and get a special code.
23. The locals are very friendly, sometimes intrusive, but all because they are very curious. The younger generation sometimes speaks English, and if you speak at least a little Chinese, the standard questions begin, where are you from and where you study. If you turn to the Chinese for help, they will definitely help, even if they do not understand you. Don't forget to use a translator. In the google translator, you can write your question, and if you do not have the Chinese keyboard installed, in response to you in Pleco draw hieroglyphs. Sometimes smart Chinese people connect their Chinese audio translators for communication: if you say that you are from Belarus, get ready to hear your native language in the translator. The best translation in wechat messages, but it is convenient for long-term communication: it takes too long to add a contact to ask how to go to the toilet.
24. Tipping is not customary to leave In popular tourist places, they can be accepted with gratitude, in others, honest Chinese will return them in confusion, not wanting to deceive.
25. Do you like to haggle - go to the Chinese fake market... Trading rules - reduce the price by 3-4 times. If you enter the pavilion, remember that the seller will chase you, talking about a discount, and if you don't buy anything, then he may throw some kind of Chinese curse.
26. China is not cheap. We have a stereotype that since we buy everything cheap on AliExpress, it means that everything is cheap in China. Remember that the Chinese economy is leading now, the Chinese are buying everything in the countries along the Silk Road, and the influx of foreigners to China has increased greatly. So, traveling here is not cheap, and China ranks 3rd in the world in terms of territory. Flights, transfers, attractions (the most popular are $ 50) - will be a pretty penny. Plan your budget.
27. National holidays... In almost all guides, you can read that traveling around China during national weekends is more expensive for yourself. The main problem is that plane and train tickets are sold at exorbitant prices or they are quickly sold out. A list of holidays with dates is available.
28. In Chinese, tones are very important: there are 4... One short word ma can be said in four tones and will have 4 different meanings (mā - mama, má - flax, sesame, mountain ash, mă - horse or at the end of an interrogative sentence, mà - to swear). Therefore, even if you use the phrasebook, you may still not be understood due to the wrong tone. Better use the translator, showing the characters on the phone screen.
29. Cultural realities... Prepare to spit, chomp at the table, and fart in public - all within decent limits. Children can use the toilet in the middle of the street.
30. You can feel like an alien that everyone wants to take a photo with. The first time, you may mistakenly feel like a star, but don't be arrogant. However, this feature is gradually disappearing.
31. If the price is not specified, they may try to cheat you... Buy groceries in stores with fixed prices, remember to count.
32. In the evenings on the streets, elderly Chinese have a party for everybody, play mahjong, public free dance and other sports lessons are held in city parks and squares.
Image: Shutterstock
We are talking about mobile applications that will make your stay in China more comfortable. This necessary minimum should be set on your phone before the trip.
VPN
In mainland China, most of the sites and apps we are used to are not available - WhatsApp, Instagram, Youtube, Gmail, Google Play. The Chinese do not need them, local counterparts are popular here. To stay connected, check email, watch videos, you can choose one of the VPN applications that provide anonymity and encryption of information. These can be paid services - Astrill or Express VPN, or free - for example, VPN Proxy Master or Hotspot Shield.
Look at the rates for paid apps, read reviews, decide if speed and the absence of annoying ads are important to you - and choose the service that seems most convenient to you. A VPN will come in handy in China. And possibly later in Russia.
You are working with China and you are not using yet Wechat? Be sure to start. The application combines several functions - a messenger, a social network, a mobile wallet, a trading platform.
It's hard to find a Chinese person whose phone doesn't have Wechata. Therefore, even for a short business trip to China, the application will be useful! For example, you come to an exhibition, and instead of collecting printed business cards and catalogs, you can add a manufacturer to WeChat (and this can be done in two clicks - via a QR code), get an electronic version of the catalog, and in the future, carry on correspondence, if necessary, using the translation option (in Wechat, received messages can be translated into the interface language).
The Chinese name for WeChat is 微 信, Weixin.
The application has a Russian-language version. You can register in it using a Russian phone number.
Cards
As we mentioned above, access to Google services, in particular to Google Maps, is limited in China. In addition, these maps are not the most accurate for China. The best and most popular solution for the Middle Kingdom is local Baidu Maps. The application will find a point by address or name, offer several route options.
Free offline maps can also be used Maps.Me... It duplicates Chinese names in English. The map must be downloaded in advance, and after that it can be used even when there is no network. The application builds routes, shows the distance between points, allows you to save locations.
You can also use Apple Maps, they are not blocked in China, unlike Google Maps. The application in English will help you navigate the area, show, for example, the nearest shopping centers, hairdressers, metro stations.
Didi
This is the Chinese equivalent of Uber. You can download the application from Didi's official website - didiglobal.com, in the AppStore or Google Play the application is called Didi - Greater China(pay attention to this, as Didi also has a completely Chinese version of the app). For registration, you can use a Russian phone number (or another country). If you plan to use a Chinese SIM card during your tour to the PRC, then it is better to register for a Chinese number in order to be guaranteed to receive SMS notifications. Payment for the trip is made by Visa or MasterCard, and of course, WeChat and Alipay.
Yandex translate
Yandex mobile translator knows more than 90 languages. But in this case, we are only interested in Chinese. And Yandex is doing a good job with it. The application can work without access to the Internet and, most importantly, translate text from photos.
To translate text from an image, you need to take a photo or select the desired image from the album.
There is a button for enabling offline mode in the application settings. In this mode, you can translate text in the English-Chinese language pair. Translation from Chinese into Russian (and vice versa) is not yet available.
Another application that can make it easier to stay in China without knowing the language is the mobile dictionary LaoshiDict(Magazeta wrote about him a long time ago). The application is free, it translates individual words (not phrases) from Russian to Chinese and vice versa.
In modern times, the telephone has become the main means of communication and an assistant in all areas of our life. We can no longer imagine life without the usual WhatsApp, google or Yandex maps, Uber's, and so on. But when you come to China, you will be unpleasantly surprised to find that all these applications are either blocked or work with restrictions. The point is that in China, everyone uses applications created specifically for China.
If you are going to China for study, work, business trip or are planning to move for permanent residence, it will be useful for you to know that there are several applications that will help greatly facilitate your stay in the PRC.
Their use in everyday life will come in handy, even if you plan to travel to the country for a short time - for example, as a tourist or to visit an exhibition.
WeChat | WeChat | 微 信 - Messenger and more.
It is the number 1 app in China that combines a dozen functions. It is a universal "all-in-one" application that includes messenger, payment system and social network and shopping platform. It is a truly indispensable application in all walks of life in China. For more information about the application: where to download it, how to register and how to start using it, read our article - WeChat.With the help of wechat, you can communicate, pay for goods, buy tickets, pay on public transport, find friends, use navigation, and much more.
Alipay | ZhiFuBao | 支付 QL - Chinese payment system
National payment system. The application is necessary both in everyday life in China and on a tourist trip: it provides an opportunity to quickly buy a train or plane ticket, pay at retail outlets, and book a hotel room. You can also use it to pay for purchases in online stores, often with good discounts.Alipey's main competitor is wechat pay. They are two very similar applications and both are used in common use. But Alipey is positioned precisely as a payment instrument with advanced functions, and the Wechat wallet is just one of the functions of the messenger.
If you are going to purchase goods from Taobao (online store), you will need the Alipay app for this, if you prefer JD.com, then the Wechat wallet will be enough.
Meituan | Meituan | 美图 - Coupons and discounts.
The application is designed for those who love shopping and do not want to miss the slightest opportunity to take advantage of the discount. Users of this program can purchase goods and pay for services with discounts that are often unavailable to other customers.This application provides various discounts and promotions in restaurants, tourist places, etc. If you go to a restaurant, you can find it in the application, and see in advance what discounts and coupons you can choose. For example, here you can often find coupons for lunches and dinners for two for a symbolic amount.
Also, through the application, you can see what interesting places are nearby, order food with home delivery, buy tickets to attractions at a special price, pay a bill at a cafe with a discount.
Didi chuxing | Didi | 滴滴 出行 - ordering a taxi in China.
Application for those who prefer to travel by taxi. This is the number 1 taxi application in China (UBER and other services in China do not work).The application has developed a cumulative system of promotions, discounts and bonus programs. Sometimes there are discounts when you can travel in business class at the price of a regular taxi.
Didi's advantages over a regular taxi:
- Ability to call a taxi from your phone
- Cars are newer and more comfortable
- A choice of cars of the level of comfort, business class, premium class, minivan.
- You can order a taxi in advance for a certain time.
- There is English, you can bind a foreign card, you can pay in cash.
VPN - Bypass Blocks in China.
In China, many popular internet services around the world are blocked, so a VPN is one of the first apps you need to install before traveling to this country, otherwise you risk being disconnected. The following services are blocked or limited in China: Whatsapp, Google, Facebook, Youtube, Viber, Instagram, twitter, Wikipedia, classmates. In order to bypass the locks, you will need to use VPN.
Of the paid ones, we recommend Astrill VPN
Free: Flyvpn.
For a detailed overview of various services, see the article: VPN for China.
Amap or Baidu cards | 高 德 地图 百度 地图 - Maps and navigation.
If you own a phone from Apple, in China you will be able to use the built-in maps of the phone. If your phone is on the android system, standard Google maps will not work in China. To somehow navigate in space, Chinese maps and navigators will come in handy.With the help of Baidu maps, you can plan a route for walking, see what is nearby, which bus or metro you need to take in order to get to the final point, find the necessary cafe or shopping center.
The Amap or Gaode app is considered to be more accurate and convenient, especially for those who travel by car.
It should be noted that only these 2 applications contain up-to-date information on routes and traffic jams. Maps and navigators from non-Chinese companies were often not updated for several months or sometimes years.
* All addresses on our website are duplicated in hieroglyphs, you can simply copy the address into the maps and plot the route.
Ele.me | 饿 了 么 - food delivery.
Delivery of finished food in time will take about half an hour. There are many ways to pay for your order.The application works as follows - you go into the application and choose among restaurants nearby, then select food from the menu and pay for food through Wechat, card, cash or through other applications.
The first time, you will need to enter your Chinese address. You can ask the staff of the hotel where you live, or Chinese friends, to help you write the address.
So, the applications discussed above will greatly facilitate life in China, so we advise you to take the time to download, install and study the functionality. Unfortunately, most applications are only available in Chinese, but usually the interface is intelligently clear.
Qunar and trip.com - Travel apps for China.
In China, there are several universal travel applications through which you can profitably buy air and train tickets, book a hotel, order a transfer, buy entrance tickets, etc.Of the largest Chinese tourist services, 2 of the most convenient and profitable ones can be distinguished:
Trip. Com is an analogue of the Chinese service C-trip, which is aimed at foreign users. The application is translated into several languages, including Russian and English, there is support for foreign bank cards.
Qunar - usually on this site you can find the best deals on air tickets and hotels, you can quickly buy train tickets, there are many different bonuses and coupons. But its main drawback is the lack of English.
Everyone is used to using Google Maps when traveling. But there is a problem with China ... Google is blocked in China. You won't be able to access Google without third-party software or a VPN. By the way, Facebook, Youtube and some other sites in China are also blocked. If without social. You can live with networks, but without maps in an unfamiliar country it is very difficult :). Internet roaming costs absolutely crazy money, so an offline map of China is an absolutely irreplaceable thing. At the end of the post there are links for downloading maps.
I downloaded a variety of maps, I bought some of them, but as a result, only 2 maps were usable:
- Offline map of China in English AutoNavi. UPD The application in English was cut from the stores, only the Chinese application remains. If you find an old application in third-party stores, download it, it is convenient.
- Baidu cards
- MAPS ME - convenient offline maps in English, there is an interface in Russian
I'll tell you about baidu cards and how to use them in the next post, and today I will talk about AutoNavi and MAPSME cards. It is this map that is most convenient for walking and this application has a very important advantage - the application and the map are in English!
MAPSME - These are free offline maps.
MAPSME has maps of a wide variety of countries, including maps of China. So, you will need this application for other travels as well.
The application for IOS and Android can be downloaded from the official MapsMe website: https://ru.maps.me/download/
Do not forget to download the maps of the cities you need to your phone in advance!
About Amaps Maps - the information is outdated, since the English-language application has been removed from the stores, use MAPSME.
Benefits of the card:
- The app is free!
- A map of China, which can be used offline without an Internet connection, a GPS is enough (the main thing is to download a map of the required city in advance);
- Application and map in English (Open the application, click on the gear icon, scroll down the settings window a little and see the language switch with the inscription English);
- You can search for objects, names are entered in English and all inscriptions are also displayed in English (More precisely, in Pinyin - transcriptions of hieroglyphs with letters of the Latin alphabet :));
- On the map you can find the designations of the metro exits (In China, the exits are designated by the letters: A, B, C);
- There are 3D models of houses, sometimes it is easier to navigate by them.
- The map shows Museums, Temples, pagodas and other interesting places (including not very famous ones). The places that made the most vivid impression on me were simply found on this map “There, some kind of temple, I'll go and see”. And there is a group of pagodas, just a couple of people on a huge territory, birds, a lake. Unfortunately, in tourist places there is a lot of thorns of people and everything is very artificial.
- The map is for motorists, the route is built for the car,
- There is no indication of stops for ground transport,
There are definitely more pluses than minuses. At first I used this card exclusively. For hiking, this map is ideal.
Download Offline Map of China for IOS AutoNavi from AppStore... Or just search for "AutoNavi and select the emblem with the red letter A and the arrow"
Download Offline Map of China for Android AutoNavi from GooglePlay... Or just search for "AutoNavi and select the emblem with the red A and the arrow."
Attention, Google Play does not work in China, so do not forget to download the application in advance :) Or use the official website for downloading.
