Wechat

Why WeChat matters for United States people and students in China If you’re a United States student, researcher, or expat heading to China (or already there), the first app you’ll want to master is WeChat. Think of it as part messenger, part wallet, part city utility — and, honestly, part neighborhood beetlejuice: it shows up everywhere. For many of us who don’t read Mandarin like it’s a birthright, that’s both a blessing and a headache. You’ll use WeChat for school groups, paying for dinner, catching a taxi, dealing with landlords, and even getting tickets for events. Miss it, and you’ll miss half of daily life. ...

Why getting WeChat running is priority No.1 in China Listen — if you land in China and think WeChat is “just another chat app,” you’ll eat those words fast. For daily life here WeChat is phone + wallet + ID card + social life rolled into one. If you’re a US national or an international student, setting up WeChat quickly means you can order food, join class groups, pay rent (sometimes), scan QR codes to enter buildings, and avoid being that awkward foreigner who can’t split the bill. ...

Why replying on WeChat matters more than you think If you’re a US student or expat living in China, welcome to the weird and wonderful kingdom of WeChat. It’s not “just another messenger” here — it’s how people pay for coffee, rent bikes, join study groups, and sometimes decide whether you’re a flaky friend or a thoughtful one. That little blue bubble can build friendships or create awkward silence faster than you can say “brb.” ...