10 Must Have Apps for NYU Shanghai Students

The constant hustle and bustle of Shanghai can be overwhelming at times, but as the city thrives on technological advancement, a series of helpful applications make it easy to navigate. Picked by sophomore students Ruiyu Jane Wang from Shanghai and Taylah Bland (who came from Australia not speaking a word of Chinese), here are some must-have apps to help make life in Shanghai a breeze.



Online and mobile payment

From restaurants and high-end shopping malls to street vendors, it’s easy to observe that online payment is ubiquitous in China. Essentially, anyone can live conveniently without cash or even their wallets in hand—installing mobile payment apps in your mobile phone is more than enough. China’s two dominant third-party mobile payment apps are Alipay and WeChat.

1. WeChat

WeChat is a comprehensive application that includes money transferring, making payments, sending red packets, chatting, video/voice calls, and posting to WeChat Moments (similar to Instagram). After downloading the app, you will be directed to sign in where you will create a Wechat ID and login (similar to other forms of social media).

Download WeChat here.

On Wechat, the QR code becomes your best friend. Scan these codes to pay for items, add friends to your contact list and join groups. You’re also able to scan QR codes from your photo album so you can upload a code and it will be scanned for you.

Just like Facebook, you are able to talk to friends via text, phone call and video call with stable connections and quality.

In order to set up payment, you will enter your bank details and link up a card that you will be able to use for all of your purchasing needs. In addition, Wechat allows you to transfer money to any person and this money goes into your “Wechat Wallet.”

You have an option to transfer funds back to your bank account, however this is capped at 1000RMB. This isn’t a problem though, as you can select whether you’d like to purchase items with your Wechat Wallet money or your bank card.

Wechat has certainly become my best friend of all China’s apps. Most places accept it as a form of payment, but more importantly, it serves as my most used communication tool with others in China.


 

2. Alipay​

Alipay is a third-party mobile and online payment platform, established in February 2004 by Alibaba Group and its founder Jack Ma. It developed from a simple online payment server to a more comprehensive platform that incorporates many services through its payment function.

How to use it:

Download it from the official website or Google Play.

Sign up with your phone number and a text message with a confirmation code will be sent to you. After inputting it, set a password and the app will log you in automatically.

Next, add a bank card.

Go to the “Bank Cards” section and press ➕ to add your bank card. If this is your first time, you'll need to set a six digit code as your payment password. It is what you will use to confirm any online payment. Then enter your Chinese bank card number and related info including ID and phone number. Make sure to be accurate and enter the exact same information as what you registered with the bank.

Then, a text message containing a confirmation code will be sent to the phone number you've registered. Enter this code to link your bank card to your account.

Now that your account is set, you can explore the many uses of Alipay (see screenshot below)!

The most used functions are SCAN a vendor’s QR code to pay and PAY with your QR code. You can also transfer money to your friends.

Note: Once you have set up your account, only bank accounts registered under your name can be linked.

Language
 

3. Pleco​

Pleco is a non-Chinese speaker’s best friend! Pleco is essentially a dictionary that allows you to type a word in English (or Chinese) and find the word in the other language that corresponds. Pleco also provides the pinyin, character and an audio recording of how to pronounce the word you are trying to say. When you’re caught out not knowing how to say a certain word, a simple search ensures that you are able to continue  communicating with ease.

4.Google Translate

Similar to Pleco, the Google Translate App allows you to not only type in what you need translated but use your phone to take photos of text that needs to be translated. You also have the ability to handwrite characters to be detected and translated. From personal experience, the Pleco App is much more accurate in translation, but Google Translate allows you to translate larger chunks of information.

Transportation

5. Didi​

It is said that Didi is the Chinese version of Uber. But in fact, it provides a wider range of choices in terms of transportation -- including taxi, kuaiche (快车, like Uber), car rental, designated driving service, and more.

Uber’s late entry into the Chinese market has helped Didi occupy and popularize the vast market of the ride sharing concept.

To start using Didi, you will need to register with your phone number. After entering the verification code you receive through text message, you will need to set up a password (8-16 digits, containing 2 of the 3 categories of letter, number and symbols). Now you are ready to hail a car and get around the city!

6. Mobike​

Riding bikes is a great choice for short-distance travel. It is also a cheap, healthy and eco-friendly alternative to transportation. And in China, you don’t have to own a bike to do it. Bike sharing has spread and covered most parts of the cities in China, which makes riding bikes extremely convenient and accessible.

How to use it:

Mobike’s new policy no longer requires a deposit as it used to. All you need to do is register with your phone and you are set to use any of their orange bikes! Download Mobike here.

Once you’ve downloaded the app, locate an available bike--you can refer to the map for help. Then, scan the QR Code between the handlebars of the bike. A brisk beep will sound off to let you know that the  lock on the rear wheel of the bike has been opened.

Once you arrive at your destination, be sure to lock the bike, and the app will automatically end your journey and send you the bill.

The cost will depend on the duration of your ride. A single trip costs 1 RMB for every 30 mins.

More bike share options: OFO

Food Delivery

7. Eleme

When you’re at the Academic Building late at night with a packed schedule and barely any time to eat--or craving a bubble tea-- Eleme is your one stop online food store, ready to satisfy your hunger.

An easy download from the Eleme Website, the app is easy to navigate, and in some cases will track delivery so you can accurately see when your food should arrive. Eleme delivers right to the Academic Building and Dorms, making food purchases seamless.

Eleme also gives you the opportunity to do a group food order by sending a link via Wechat. Make sure that you collect your 红包 (Hongbao, Red Packet) and apply them in order to receive a discount!

Shopping + Groceries

8. Taobao

This is an online shopping app that covers your every need. It is often referred to jokingly as “The Almighty Taobao,” because you can literally find anything you want there (usually at a pretty cheap price, too).

Because it is also developed by Alibaba Group, you can easily access this app with your Alipay account and pay with that as well. Download Taobao here.

Remember to set the address to the residence hall in advance.

Tip: Don’t fall too crazy for the various and astonishingly cheap things. Remember to always be alert about the quality, and shop with sensitivity. Otherwise, both your wallet and our Resources Center will weep.

9. Hema盒马鲜生

This is an app for shopping both online and in person at the Hema grocery store—there are 10 locations in Shanghai, including one in Jinqiao across the street from the dorms and another near the NYU Shanghai campus.

You can simply log into your Alipay or Taobao account for access to convenient and easy payment. The stores are worth a visit not only when you are in need of groceries but you can also go there for lunch or dinner--their new-retailer’s model incorporates dining choices like fresh seafood or even steak.

Shopping Hema盒马鲜生 online is great for timely delivery, which will save you when you’re too busy or simply feeling lazy. Whichever way you choose, the app will keep a record of your transaction and order history for easy management.

Communications and Lifestyle

10. SmartShanghai

The mobile version of the SmartShanghai website provides you with all the essential information and hacks for your smart living in Shanghai. Click around to read the Shanghai news, or check out  events and dining recommendations. The app also provides location-based services, which enables users to search for nearby restaurants, bars, and cafes easily.

Also similar: TimeoutShanghai