Some movie theaters in China charge as much as 100RMB or more when you buy the ticket at location, but did you know you are being overcharged? Sure, the price is fair in USD ($10-15 in the expected price back home, so what is the big deal, right?) Quite honestly though, you are being ripped off, because most all of locals are using a Chinese secret called Gewara.
What is Gewara?
The Chinese name of Che Guevara is 格瓦拉 (gé wǎ lā), the name of this smart phone app used for purchasing movie tickets. If you look closely, you will notice that the logo is actually the outline of Guevara’s famous picture. Download this app, and register your phone so that you can purchase tickets and select your seat days in advance of your movie outing. In addition, ticket prices can be as low as about 25RMB, even for newly released blockbusters.
How it Works & Ticket Machines
Another great benefit for many who don’t speak Chinese living in China, you can skip talking with the people at the counter with this app–and waiting in line, for that matter. Every mainstream movie theater will have Gewara’s automated ticket machines (自助服务终端 zìzhù fúwù zhōngduān) located in the main lobby of the movie theater. This not only makes it easier for movie-goers, it also helps theaters handle the huge crowds that gather on weekends and on nights of new releases. Once you purchase your ticket(s) using the app, you will receive a text message with a confirmation number. At the theater, you will find a machine that looks like the one in the picture. Enter the confirmation number and the machine will then give you your ticket. Careful though, these machines will spit the tickets out at you, so have your hand over the dispensing area ready to catch the ticket (no joke)!
Benefits
Save yourself time and money with this smart phone application and look like a well-educated person in front of all the locals. You may also impress all your friends that you have discovered something not so well-known.
China IQ 中華智商 