In an effort to become a one-stop-shop for travelers, Uber’s Chinese arm is launching a new service called Uber+Travel, which allows users in the country to request boat rides in addition to hot air balloon excursions.
Kate Wang, Uber China’s vice president of operations and regional general manager of central China, made the announcement on stage at TechCrunch Shanghai. The San Francisco-based company is also rolling out a new service in China called UberLife, which is meant to connect users to nearby entertainment and sporting events.
“This reminds us that Uber is a global service serving global citizens,” said Wang, according to TechCrunch. “It is rooted in each of the cities.”
Uber has previously experimented with various modes of transportation that cater to different markets around the world, offering boats in Istanbul and helicopters in New York City through partnerships.
The expansion could help Uber China compete against local rival Didi Chuxing, which claims nearly 90% of the private car-hailing market in China. Apple also invested $1 billion in the company last month. Uber executives have said they will be able to take on Didi in the future, but the company is spending large amounts of cash to compete in China.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Why Trump’s Message Worked on Latino Men
- What Trump’s Win Could Mean for Housing
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- Sleep Doctors Share the 1 Tip That’s Changed Their Lives
- Column: Let’s Bring Back Romance
- What It’s Like to Have Long COVID As a Kid
- FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Contact us at letters@time.com