How to change China Taobao to the English version？

For many expats in China, Taobao is the favourite shopping site, and paying for Taobao orders via Alipay is very fast and convenient. But many ask, is there an English version of Taobao? How do I change Taobao to English so I can use it without any difficulties? This article will show you how to do it, and introduce you to AliExpress and explain its relationship with Taobao.

Expats can look at Wise as a great way to top up their Alipay with CNY money and shop on Taobao, or transfer money internationally to their foreign bank accounts. A Wise multi-currency account is a universal account for sending money out of China, converting and holding various currencies. Plus, Wise is easy to use and affordable for any transaction service.

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Is there an English version of Taobao?

Although there is aTaobao Global site¹, and you can set it to a dozen countries, there is not an English version of Taobao. However, AliExpress, another E-commerce platform of Alibaba, is known as the international version of Taobao and has the language of English².

Alternatively, you can just switch your Taobao into English, by using some tools or plugins. We’ll look at this in more detail later.

What is AliExpress? Is it the English version of Taobao?

Founded in 2010, AliExpress is a cross-border E-commerce platform owned by Alibaba Group, specializing in international business. AliExpress has become a global marketplace that enables global consumers to purchase goods directly from manufacturers and distributors in China and around the world. Its key consumer markets include the United States, Brazil, France and Spain³.

In addition to the global English language version, AliExpress is available in 17 other languages, including Portuguese, Spanish and French.

AliExpress and Taobao are two different platforms, with different websites, thus AliExpress is not the English version of Taobao, though AliExpress is considered the international version of Taobao.

Taobao vs Aliexpress: are they the same thing?

AliExpress and Taobao are both e-commerce platforms under Alibaba Group, but the former is an international business and the latter a domestic business⁴. They are different or partially different in terms of buyer's market, website, unit price, products sold, and language.

They also have different business models: Taobao is a C2C platform and AliExpress is a B2C one.

How to change Taobao to English: Useful methods and tools explained!

Here we list the best ways to change Taobao to English, by making use of tools, software, or plugins.

• Use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or any browser plugin with an automatic webpage translation.
• Use a language translation browser plugin (e.g. Google Website Translator) for Taobao official website
• Use a translation app (e.g. Google Translate) for Taobao app.
• Use AliExpress as the English version of Taobao.

Method 1: how to change Taobao website to English using Google Chrome

1. Go to Taobao's official website (https://www.taobao.com/) using Google Chrome on your computer.
2. To switch the language, right-click on any empty space and select Translate to English.
3. Alternatively, you can change to English by clicking the Translate icon in the address bar.
4. Now you can shop with the Taobao English version.

Method 2: Use Google Translate app⁵

1. On your Android devices, open the Google Translate app.
2. Tap “Menu”, and then tap "Settings”.
3. Tap “Tap to Translate”. A pop-up window might appear asking if you want to "Display over other apps." Press Allow to proceed. And then tap “Enable”.
4. Open the Taobao app.
5. Highlight the text Taobao you want to translate and then tap “Copy”.
6. Tap Google Translate your current screen, and select English.

Note: To change Taobao app to English on iPhone & iPad using Google Translate app, click here.

Wise: a cheap and hassle-free way to transfer your earnings out of China!

Wise is an international money transfer tool. No hidden fees. Enjoy the fair mid-market exchange rate while making cross-border transactions securely. Send money out of China using Wise English app to more than 70 countries, fast and cheap! Receive funds from abroad via Wise too.

Pay for your transfers with Alipay

We’ve introduced an easier way for you to pay for your transfers — Alipay.

Whether you’re paying expenses in another country or sending money to family back home, you can use Alipay to pay for transfers of up to 50,000 CNY.

Unlike bank transfers, there are no minimum limits on what you can send and Alipay operates all day, every day. So you can send money at a time that suits you, not them.

How to pay with Alipay

1. Enter an amount: Select CNY as the currency you’re sending from, then enter how much and which currency you’re sending to — you can send up to 50,000 CNY per transfer.
2. Choose your recipient: This needs to be either your own account outside of China or your Wise balance.
3. Select Alipay as your payment method: If you’re on your phone, you’ll be automatically redirected to your Alipay app. If you’re using our website, you’ll be shown a QR code which you can scan from your Alipay app.
4. Confirm payment: Once you’ve paid, go back to the Wise app or website and select ‘I have paid’. Your transfer will then be on its way.

You'll also be able to manage your money smartly with Wise, holding 40 different currencies in your Wise account or converting a currency for immediate use. Wherever you are, you can convert the local money. So in China, you can convert into RMB. It takes only a few seconds, and a cheap rate is promised. Make a Wise account for free and join over 16 million people worldwide for international money transfers.

This service is provided in partnership with a licensed third-party payment provider in China.