You Can Find WHAT on Meituan?

Living in China as an expat has its challenges, but there are a number of advantages as well. The convenience afforded by WeChat, Alipay, Didi, Taobao, JD and Meituan, plus various mini programs and other services, is one major reason that. After more than a decade living in Beijing, I find it difficult to imagine moving back home.

Meituan, in particular, might even be a bit too convenient. An app through which I can order pretty much whatever kind of food or drink item I want and have it delivered quickly to my door without me even having to step outside is a formidable test of willpower I rarely pass. 

But the items available on Meituan are not limited to food and drink. Pharmacies have listings on Meituan, enabling quick and easy access to medication and medical equipment. You can also find office and art supplies on the platform, as well as clothing and home goods. You can even find fresh-cut flowers and plants!

But that’s not all. Here are five interesting and unexpected non-food items and services you can find on Meituan.

1. Perfume

Less shocking and more of a pleasant surprise, you can find perfume and beauty items from many well-known brands on Meituan listed in stores like Sephora and Harmay. There are even 专柜代买 zhuānguì dàimǎi shops that sell only products from a single brand, increasing the convenience. 

Realistically, you won’t find a huge variety of offerings on the platform, but if you’re looking for samples or full bottles of popular perfumes or beauty products, Meituan is a good place to check first. 

2. Electronics

Knowing now that you can shop for and purchase electronic items on Meituan, it seems normal, but when I first discovered this, it did blow my mind ever so slightly. Everything from phone cords, USB sticks, headphones and charging blocks to phones, tablets and computers can be found on Meituan in an assortment of shops, including names like Sundan, Apple, Vivo, Samsung and Huawei. 

3. Printing and Other Office Services

For the longest time, I fantasized about being able to send documents out and have them delivered to my door, printed just as easily as I could order a pizza and beer on Meituan. Well…you can. 

A number of the office supply or mobile phone and computer accessories shops on Meituan also offer printing, copying, scanning, and/or photo services. Depending on the shop and service, your options can include a choice of paper size, color or black and white printing, single-sided or double-sided printing, number of pages, and whether or not your documents arrive in a protective sleeve. The typical process seems to include selecting the service you want, adding the shop via phone number on WeChat, communicating with the shop either on WeChat or before you check out on Meituan, and sending the document via WeChat. However, the exact details and process for the service you require should be double-checked with the shop. Easy and convenient!

Search 打印 dǎyīn and explore the options for what suits your needs best.

4. S*x Toys

Okay, look. I don’t even know how I stumbled across this one. I wasn’t searching for it – I swear! But, yes, if you’re desperate (or, who knows, even if you’re not – I won’t judge), you can find a few adult products on Meituan, from lingerie to … other items. Search 成人用品 chēngrén yōngpǐn, and … go to town.

5. Pets

This is the one that had me going from mild surprise to shock to sadness. In addition to pet food and care products, habitat supplies and enrichment items, you can find a few different kinds of animals for sale and delivery on Meituan, ranging from fish, turtles, crabs and lizards to birds, hamsters, rabbits and, yes, cats. 

Just because you can, though, doesn’t mean you should order an animal off of Meituan. Please … please don’t. Think of the animal, and always try to get pets in person, or better yet, look into adopting one from one of Beijing's many pet rescue charities such as Furry Tales. 

Have you found any surprising, interesting, or just downright strange things on Meituan? Let us know in the comments!

READ: Café Creatures of Beijing: Which One Are You?

Images: Abigail Weathers, Unsplash