Getting between your hotel and anywhere else in a Chinese city is straightforward once you know the tools. DiDi — China’s dominant ride-hailing app — handles 90% of situations, with traditional taxis as a reliable backup and a few special cases where other options apply.
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DiDi: China’s Ride-Hailing App
DiDi (滴滴出行) is China’s version of Uber and Lyft combined, with over 600 million registered users. For foreign visitors, it’s the most consistent way to get a ride in any major city.
Setting Up DiDi as a Foreigner
Didi International is the version designed for foreign visitors:
- Download the “DiDi” app (iOS App Store or Google Play)
- On opening, select “I’m a visitor to China” or use your foreign phone number to register
- Select your country code and enter your mobile number
- Verify via SMS
- Add a payment method: Visa, Mastercard, or link to Alipay/WeChat Pay
Payment: DiDi accepts foreign Visa and Mastercard directly — one of the few apps that does this reliably without needing Alipay first.
Booking a Ride
- Open DiDi → the app automatically detects your location
- Enter your destination (in English for major landmarks, or use the map to drop a pin)
- Select service type:
- Express (快车): standard ride — most common, reliable
- Premier (专车): higher-end vehicles, slightly higher price
- Luxe: premium sedans (similar to Uber Black)
- DiDi Bus: shared minibus on fixed routes
- Confirm price and request the ride
- Your driver’s name, photo, vehicle, and plate number appear — verify these before getting in
In-app communication
If your driver calls and you can’t communicate:
- DiDi has an in-app message feature with preset messages in Chinese
- Use Microsoft Translator voice mode if you need to explain something
DiDi in Cities Beyond Tier-1
DiDi operates in most Chinese cities with over 1 million people. In smaller cities and rural areas, coverage thins — keep cash for local taxis and motorcycles.
Traditional Taxis
Regular taxis remain widely available at airports, train stations, and busy streets in all Chinese cities. They’re metered (法表, fǎbiǎo) and generally reliable — the major challenge is the language barrier.
The essentials
- All legitimate metered taxis run on the meter — insist on this (“打表”, dǎbiǎo, if needed)
- Receipts: ask for a receipt (发票, fāpiào) — it contains the driver’s ID and taxi number, useful for lost items
- Payment: most taxis accept Alipay and WeChat Pay via QR code, and cash. Visa/Mastercard: not accepted.
How to hail a taxi
- Raise your hand at the roadside (same as anywhere)
- Yellow, green, or white taxis with a roof light on are available
- At airports and train stations, follow signs to the official taxi queue — do not use unofficial drivers who approach you inside the building
Communicating your destination
- Show a Google Maps screenshot of your destination with the Chinese address visible
- Use the note-saving strategy: save your hotel’s name and address in Chinese before leaving home
- Most taxi drivers have smartphones — you can show them the map app directly
Airport Transfers: Getting In and Out Without Being Scammed
The standard scam
Unofficial “taxi” drivers approach you as you exit arrivals. They quote prices that may seem reasonable but are typically 3–5× the going rate. Once in the car, the price may be renegotiated.
How to avoid it:
- Walk past everyone who approaches you inside the terminal
- Follow signs to the official taxi rank (出租车候车区) outside the building
- Join the queue supervised by a taxi coordinator
- A coordinator assigns you to the next taxi — do not negotiate price or choose your own driver
Airport express trains: often faster than taxis
Every major Chinese airport has a dedicated rail link to the city centre:
- Beijing PEK Airport Express: 30–40 minutes to city centre, ¥25
- Shanghai Maglev/Metro: 8 minutes by Maglev to Longyang Road, then metro; or direct metro Line 2
- Guangzhou: Metro Line 3 from Baiyun Airport to city centre: ~45 minutes
- Shenzhen: Metro Airport Line directly to the downtown area
In most cases, the airport express is faster and far cheaper than a taxi during peak hours. The downside: you need to carry your bags through the metro system.
Motorcycle Taxis and Three-Wheelers
In smaller cities and rural areas, motorcycle taxis (摩托车, mótuōchē) and three-wheeled electric taxis (电动三轮车) are common. They’re cheap and useful for short trips but:
- No meter — negotiate price first
- No seat belt
- Helmets are sometimes provided, sometimes not
- Not recommended for longer distances or with large luggage
Agree on the price before getting on. State “多少钱” (duōshǎo qián = how much) and show your destination on a map.
Avoiding Overcharges and Scams
The “meter broken” trick
In tourist areas, some taxi drivers claim their meter is broken and quote a flat rate. This is almost always more expensive than the metered fare.
Response: “打表” (dǎbiǎo) firmly — “please use the meter.” If they refuse, find another taxi. Meters are mandatory by law.
The long route
Rare but it happens. Using a navigation app (Amap) to monitor the route makes this immediately obvious.
Tourist-area overcharging
In Lijiang, Guilin, Sanya, and similar tourist destinations, driver networks sometimes collude on inflated “tourist prices.” Using DiDi (which shows the price upfront) eliminates this problem entirely.
Other City Transport Options
E-bikes and shared bikes (共享单车)
Mobike, Hello Bike, DiDi Bike — dockless share bikes are available in every major Chinese city. Unlock with Alipay or the app. Cost: ¥1–¥2 per 30 minutes.
Excellent for: short distances, exploring within a neighbourhood, getting around traffic. Requires: Alipay (most platforms) and a deposit (usually ¥99, refundable).
Shared electric scooters
In some cities (particularly Chengdu and southern cities), electric scooter sharing (哈啰助力车) is available via the Hello Bike app. More range than pedal bikes, slightly higher cost.
City buses
Local buses cover every corner of Chinese cities cheaply (¥1–¥2 per ride). The challenge: routes are in Chinese, stops are announced in Chinese, and real-time tracking is in Chinese apps. For most tourists, the metro and DiDi are more practical.
Last updated: May 2026 · DiDi policies and taxi regulations vary by city.