So I downloaded WeChat because every other Chinese person I know is buried in the thing. Even at dinner when there's conversation, a lot of it is on the phone with third parties. I felt like the odd one out.

Known as Weixin locally, the app is a huge release from the tech behemoth Tencent and allows you to mobile message free of charge on Wi-Fi, send photos and videos, make "walkie talkie" calls and hold video chats. I'm on roaming at the moment and using WeChat doesn't cost a lot, so telecom operators are either quaking in their boots, or working on legislation that will cut them more profits.

The other function WeChat has, which interested me, was the geolocation option. Turn it on and everyone else who wants to be "found" in a roughly 1 km area pops up, with a photo, a tagline about who they are and often enough an album of photos illustrating their lives.