China is the country where a local friend is least optional. Menus, payment apps, transport and most daily life run in Chinese, and the best of Shanghai and Beijing has no English version. "Rent a friend in China" is the search for someone who can unlock it.
What a Chinese Local Friend is for#
| Plan | Why a local matters |
|---|---|
| Food | Ordering, the places with no English menu, the right xiaolongbao |
| The apps | Paying, ride-hailing, booking: all easier with a local |
| Shanghai | The old lanes, the French Concession done properly, the wet markets |
| Beijing | The hutongs, a Peking duck place locals use, the Great Wall without the crowds |
| Mandarin | An hour of conversation with a native speaker |
How it works#
Browse Local Friends in your city, message one, agree a plan, meet in public. Each sets their own hourly rate; worldwide most charge $15 to $50 USD an hour (what moves the price). Note that using some foreign apps inside China can require a VPN. Nearby: rent a friend in Japan, Korea and Taiwan.
For locals: getting paid#
Sign up free, add real photos and a short bio in English, set your rate and free times, reply fast. Roavi takes no commission. Paid friend jobs explains the work.
Live in Shanghai or Beijing? Get paid to show visitors your city.
Become a Local FriendFrequently Asked Questions
Can you rent a friend in China?
Yes. On Roavi, Local Friends in Shanghai, Beijing and other cities offer their time by the hour for the food, the language, the apps and the city. Company, not dating.How much does it cost in Shanghai?
Each Local Friend sets their rate. Worldwide most charge $15 to $50 USD an hour. Food, tickets and transport are agreed beforehand.Why is a local friend especially useful in China?
Payment apps, menus and transport are hard without Chinese. A local orders, pays, translates and takes you to places that have no English presence at all.How do Chinese locals get paid?
Sign up free on Roavi, add real photos and a bio in English, set a rate and free times. Visitors message you; you meet in person. No commission. Some foreign apps need a VPN to use in China.