Happening Apps for Life in Shanghai
Shanghai may be one of the world’s busiest metropolises, but don’t you fret just yet: here is a list of some of the most useful (and free!) apps that will instantaneously ease your exploration of this massive, jam-packed, and increasingly evolving city. Frankly, anyone who says they know this city on the back of their hand is most likely lying, but download these and you’ll at least have some clue as to how to navigate the amazing Shanghai. Getting Around/ExploringExplore Shanghai Metro Map Probably one of, if not the first app that you should download upon arriving in Shanghai. This subway app is free and provides you with a map of all of the subway lines in Shanghai, along with street maps, GPS for finding the nearest subway station, route calculation, and route times and fares. IndulgeSmart This new restaurant review app is an absolute necessity for foreigners simply trying to find a good place to eat, and for locals who are interested in exploring Shanghai’s ever-increasing international cuisine. IndulgeSmart is an incredibly easy-to-use app that features in-depth restaurant reviews by impassioned users, with great taste in food. Most excitingly, the team behind this app is currently rewarding users by giving you free restaurant vouchers to some of the best restaurants in Shanghai when you share the app with your friends via QR code. These vouchers range from 200RMB for 5 friend shares, to as much as 4,000RMB when shared with 400 friends. So what are you waiting for? Download this and get sharing! Uber Uber, the global ridesharing service sensation, has finally hit Shanghai, and despite the already immense fleet of taxis here, Uber’s prominence in Shanghai is not redundant. Your options include UberX, UberBlack, UberEnglish, and People’s Uber, each of which operates at different price points. Aside from their newly released People’s Uber, which is non-profit and essentially only charges you for gas and maintenance (thus running cheaper than most cabs), an Uber ride is noticeably pricier than your typical cab ride. However, because it links to your credit card, Uber is a reliable service to count on in the case that you’ve accidentally run out of cash. Uber is also a major lifesaver for those late rainy nights when it’s too late to catch the subway and hailing a cab takes long enough to put you on the verge of crying (it’s okay, we’ve all been there). Didi Dache (嘀嘀打车)-Similar to Uber, Didi Dache is a Chinese-based app that lets you call for a ride in times of need. Unlike Uber, this isn’t a private ridesharing service but just a way to hail cabs to your specific location. All you have to do is give your current location, desired location, pick-up time, and state the tip that you’re willing to pay (and typically, the bigger the tip, the more responses you’ll get). Also note that when cabs have a green roof light on and a red dashboard light, it means that they’re open but reserved for someone who already called. So if you’re interested in being that person, use Didi Dache. Douban Dianying (豆瓣电影) This is a movie review app, where you can find the latest screenings at theaters nearest to you, and around the city. Additionally, Douban Dianying allows you to purchase tickets immediately through their app, and usually at a cheaper price than bought at booths in theaters. SmartShanghai/CityWeekend SmartShanghai and CityWeekend are two powerhouses when it comes to Shanghai events and directories. They feature restaurant reviews, nightlife reviews, and event promotions, along with editorials on pretty much everything that’s going on in this city. They are featured together here because the SmartShanghai app isn’t free (you can find it in the app store for $3.99), whereas the CityWeekend one is. Regardless, both are backed by very informative websites, even if you don’t download their apps. Lifestyle NeedsChina Air Quality Index There are many air quality tracking apps out there, and you by all means need to download one. This app is reliable and provides the current measured AQI in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou by both the US Consulate’s measurements and Chinese monitoring sites. Additionally, it locates the nearest AQI monitoring site to you and provides their measurements. Shanghai Toilet Guide(上海公厕指南) The name pretty much speaks for itself, but this app uses GPS capabilities to locate the nearest public restroom to you, out of 8,000 registered public bathrooms in the city. Not only that, but it also gives you the down and dirty facts about the restroom, such as whether the stalls have squat or western style toilets. WeChat iMessage is so yesterday. To get in contact with anyone in China, or even people who have just been in China for more than a week, WeChat is the way to go. And WeChat isn’t exclusive to simply texting. Use WeChat to walkie talkie, call friends, send funky stickers, and share your own “WeChat Moments” (similar to status updates on Facebook). Cisco AnyConnect Granted the current state of Chinese internet regulations, you’ll need access to VPN connection on your phone, and Cisco AnyConnect is where most VPN’s in China are hosted. Pleco Pleco is great for quick Chinese translations. Whether you’re at a loss for words while attempting to communicate with locals, read street signs, or simply being unable to understand your Chinese homework, Pleco will save the day as it works even without the internet. Additionally, for an added in-app purchase of $14.99, Pleco has a feature where users can scan chinese characters from their phone camera and have it directly translated. This article was written by Betsie Wilson. Send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Zhang Zhan