City maps, information brochures, and daily newspapers. That was once upon a time. If you want to find your way around Shanghai today, it’s better to use a smartphone and app store. From Baidu Maps to Momo and WeChat. The apps you need to find your way around Shanghai are very different from those used by Berliners, New Yorkers or Londoners.

Air Quality Asia: First choice for smog-plagued Shanghai residents

The English and Chinese app provides information on the current AQI (Air Quality Index) in more than 270 cities and 1,300 air monitoring stations. A radius search and integrated map make navigation easier. Historical data provide information on pollution levels over the past 24 hours. Availability: Android, iPhone, Windows. Languages: Chinese, English.

Baidu Maps: Indispensable for navigation within the city

Search engine giant Baidu offers a reliable and up-to-date alternative to Google Maps, which is often not usable satisfactorily due to government censorship measures. Baidu Maps has satellite images, real-time traffic data, and offline maps. Although it only has a Chinese interface, navigating the app is easy thanks to the many icons and intuitive design. Availability: Android, iPhone. Languages: Chinese.

CityWeekend & SmartShanghai: Apartment search, nightlife, and excursion tips

If you don’t want to rely solely on Marco Polo or Lonely Planet but are interested in up-to-date tips for going out and excursions, CityWeek and SmartShanghai are indispensable: whether child-friendly museums or jazz concerts, the two apps are unbeatable when it comes to planning leisure activities in Shanghai and the surrounding area. In terms of content, CityWeekend and SmartShanghai differ only minimally. Availability: Android, iPhone. Languages: English.

Momo: China’s most popular dating app

A quick date or a long-term relationship? China’s popular dating app is a must for anyone looking for intensive acquaintances. You can quickly find like-minded people using the local search. The English-language version was discontinued last summer, but the Beijing company is planning a new version for 2015. Be careful, it’s addictive! Availability: Android, iPhone, Windows. Languages: Chinese.

‘WeChat is everything’

Whether for business contacts or private appointments, there is no getting around WeChat (Weixin) these days. In addition to text messages, you can also easily send photos, voice messages, videos, or emoticons. You can use a virtual business card to draw chat partners’ attention to other WeChat contacts. The ability to add additional content via APIs is making the app increasingly interesting for companies. Availability: Android, iPhone, Windows. Languages ​​(among others): Chinese, English, German.