For first-time visitors to China

First time in China? Now you know someone here.

When something doesn't make sense and you don't know what to do, just ask Niya. A local who knows how things work here, one message away for your whole trip.

Get a wingman for my trip Free pre-trip guide

English support now. Japanese and Spanish coming later.

Example conversation

How it works

Think of it as a safety net for independent travelers. Buy it once, and help is one message away for the whole trip.

Book before you fly

Choose your trip dates and who's traveling. You get Niya's contact details right away.

Get set up at home

We help you set up payments, maps, ride-hailing and mobile data before you land, so day one just works.

Say "Hey Niya"

Stuck or confused? Message or call. We tell you how it's done here, and talk to the other person for you when it matters.

China does it differently. We'll walk you through it.

The apps, the hospitals, the trains: everyday systems here work in their own way. Even with perfect translation, you can still get stuck. That's where Niya comes in.

Taxis and trains

Your passport is your train ticket, and taxis come through an app. We show you how it all works.

Food and ordering

Many restaurants have you scan a QR code to order and pay. We help you order what you actually want, allergies included.

Payments and apps

Daily life runs on Alipay, WeChat and apps you've never heard of. We get them working for you.

Hotels and stays

Check-in issues, room problems, requests the front desk didn't understand.

Hospitals and pharmacies

Here you usually register and pay at a counter before you see a doctor. We guide you step by step and help you talk to staff. We never give medical advice.

Lost items and police

Lost a passport, phone or bag? We tell you where to go, help you report it and follow up.

Translation isn't the hard part. Knowing how China works is.

We tell you how it's done here

Which counter, which app, which step comes first. The local know-how that no dictionary can give you.

We step in at the key moment

When it matters, hand your phone to the driver, the doctor or the shopkeeper. We talk to them directly, so nothing gets lost.

We follow up

If it takes more than one call, we stay on it and check back with you.

Simple pricing

All prices in US dollars.

Pre-trip guide

Free

Everything to set up before you land: payments, maps, mobile data, ride-hailing and key phrases.

Get the guide

Pre-trip call

$9.90

A 20-minute video call to answer your questions and check your apps are ready.

Book a call

Trip Wingman

Questions

Is Niya a real person?

Yes. Niya is our team of bilingual helpers who know how things work in China. We use AI to translate faster, but a real person handles every request.

How do I reach Niya while I'm in China?

Mainly by WhatsApp. WhatsApp is blocked on Chinese SIM cards and most Wi-Fi in China, but it usually works on international roaming or a travel eSIM. Before you fly, we'll check your phone setup with you and give you a backup channel, such as WeChat, in case WhatsApp drops.

What counts as one request?

One problem, from start to solved, counts as one request, however many messages it takes. Emergencies never count.

What if it's a medical emergency?

Call 120 for an ambulance or 110 for police first, then message us. We help you communicate with doctors and staff, but we do not give medical advice.

Do you book tours or hotels?

Not right now. We focus on helping you get around and get things done while you travel the way you planned.

Which languages do you support?

English today. Japanese and Spanish are next.