If you’re living in or traveling through China, planning to connect with Chinese culture, or simply curious about digital trends from the world’s largest mobile market, knowing the top lifestyle apps is essential. China’s app ecosystem is unique: tech giants integrate services into “super apps” that cover messaging, payments, travel, food delivery, shopping, social networking, and more, all in one place. In this guide, we’ve rounded up the top 10 Chinese lifestyle apps that define everyday life in China and beyond in 2026. These selections are based on user counts, cultural influence, cross‑platform functionality, and real‑world utility across local daily tasks and digital lifestyle experiences.
1. WeChat (微信)
WeChat is the ultimate super app in China, serving as the central hub for messaging, social networking, payments, mini‑programs (lightweight embedded apps), e‑commerce, government services, and more, making it essential for anyone navigating modern Chinese life; from sending messages and group chats to booking appointments and scanning QR codes for payments, WeChat’s elevated convenience means you rarely need to leave the app for daily chores. It’s truly more than a chat app; it’s the lifestyle lifeline in China.
2. Alipay (支付宝)
Alipay is China’s leading digital wallet and mobile payments platform, offering easy QR‑code payments at street vendors, shops, taxis, and utilities plus integrated financial services like savings, loans, insurance, and credit scoring, and convenient features for booking travel or paying bills, making it indispensable for cashless living and everyday transactions whether you’re paying rent, splitting bills with friends, or shopping online.
3. Meituan (美团)
Meituan is the local services powerhouse in China, combining food delivery, grocery and goods shopping, restaurant and hotel bookings, movie tickets, ride services, and daily deals all into one app, a must‑have that saves time and effort for meals, errands, and weekend plans with seamless delivery options and user reviews that help you choose the best options around you.
4. Douyin (抖音)
Douyin, the original Chinese version of TikTok, isn’t just about short videos; it’s a cultural and lifestyle engine that drives trends in entertainment, fashion, food, travel, and consumer choices thanks to its powerful recommendation engine. Users watch clips, follow creators, shop featured products, and explore trending destinations all within this dynamic interactive app.
5. Xiaohongshu (小红书 / RED / RedNote)
Xiaohongshu, often called “Little Red Book,” blends social media with shopping, where users share and discover lifestyle content, from beauty and fashion tips to travel guides, restaurant reviews, and product recommendations, making it a go‑to space for inspiration and authentic advice that’s trusted by millions one post at a time.
6. Weibo (微博)
Weibo is China’s equivalent of a microblogging platform and remains one of the most important social news and trend discovery apps in the country, where users follow celebrities, experts, brands, and public discussions, check trending topics, and engage with communities, a lively digital forum that brings lifestyle, pop culture, and hot topics to life in real time.
7. Zhihu (知乎)
Zhihu is China’s leading Q&A and knowledge sharing platform (comparable to Quora), where users ask and answer questions about anything from fitness and food to travel and career advice; with expert panels, in‑depth discussions, and curated content, Zhihu has grown into an indispensable tool for exploring lifestyle insights, decision‑making tips, and trusted recommendations from peers and professionals.
8. Dianping (大众点评)
Dianping combines local business reviews and services, including restaurants, salons, theaters, gyms and more, with booking options, deals, and user ratings, making it the go‑to app for discovering quality lifestyle experiences in your city, finding hot new spots, and planning nights out without the guesswork.
9. Amap / Gaode Map (高德地图)
Amap (known internationally as Gaode Map) is China’s most widely used navigation and local services app, it delivers precise location data, public transit routes, ride‑hailing guides, nearby recommendations, and real‑time traffic updates, ensuring you always know where you’re going and what’s around you, whether you’re commuting or exploring a new area.
10. “Are You Alive?” (Demumu / 死了么 / Sileme)
This uniquely viral app (originally called “Are You Dead?” and now known as Demumu) has captured China’s attention for its simple yet comforting purpose: it prompts users, especially those living alone, to check in regularly to confirm they’re okay, and notifies emergency contacts if they don’t, blending safety, wellness and social care in a minimalistic and memorable routine that resonates with many urban dwellers and reflects the growing lifestyle trends around health and independence.
Conclusion
From super apps like WeChat and Alipay that unify daily routines to niche lifestyle innovators like Demumu addressing modern wellbeing trends, Chinese apps continue to push the boundaries of mobile convenience, utility, and community engagement. Whether you’re an expat settling in China, a traveler exploring new cities, or a digital enthusiast watching global tech trends, these top 10 Chinese lifestyle apps are must‑know essentials that reflect the vibrant, integrated, and ever‑evolving world of mobile living.