Didi (滴滴出行) is China’s answer to Uber, and it’s a lifesaver for foreigners: fixed fares, GPS tracking, and no need to speak Chinese or haggle with taxi drivers. Here’s how to use it.

Setting it up

You have two easy routes:

• Inside Alipay or WeChat — both have a Didi mini-program built in. If you already have Alipay set up, you can book a ride with no extra app and no separate registration. This is the simplest path for most visitors.
• The standalone DiDi app — available with an English interface. Register with your phone number and link a foreign card or pay via Alipay/WeChat.

Booking a ride

1. Set your pickup point and destination (search in English; the app translates).
2. Choose a ride type — Express (cheapest, sometimes shared with other people), Comfort, or Premier.
3. Confirm and wait — you’ll see the car, plate number, and driver approaching in real time.
4. Pay automatically through the app; no cash changes hands.

Communicating with your driver

• The app has built-in translation for messages, so you can chat in English and they read Chinese.
• There’s a preset message feature (“I’m at the entrance,” etc.).
• For pickups at big venues, drop a precise pin and add a note about which exit or gate.
• The driver will ask for the last 4 digits of your phone number, in case you don’t speak Chinese, show them the number.

Tips

• At airports and stations, use the designated ride-hailing pickup zone — the app usually tells you exactly where.
• Fares are fixed and fair; there’s no tipping and no negotiating.
• Keep your phone charged and online — book on data via your eSIM.
• During rain or rush hour, expect a short wait and slightly higher prices, like any ride app.
• For very short hops, the metro is often faster and cheaper.

Once it’s linked, Didi makes getting around any Chinese city as easy as tapping a button.