Hailing a taxi in China has become much more convenient in recent years thanks to technology. Instead of waving at taxis on the street, most Chinese residents and travelers now use online taxi apps in China to book a ride quickly, safely, and often more affordably. In this guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to use the most popular Didi taxi app China, as well as alternatives like WeChat and Alipay, to navigate Chinese cities with ease.

Why Use a Taxi App in China?

In major Chinese cities, it’s becoming rare to hail a taxi the old-fashioned way. Using a taxi app in China offers several advantages:

• Better availability, especially during rush hour or bad weather.
• Transparent pricing and route tracking.
• The option to choose vehicle types based on budget and comfort.
• Multilingual interfaces, making it easier for foreigners to use.

How to Use Didi Taxi App in China

The most popular ride-hailing service in China is Didi Chuxing, often called just Didi taxi app China. Here’s how to get started.

1️⃣ Download and Install Didi

First, download the official Didi Chuxing app from your app store. You can find it by searching “Didi” or “Didi ride hailing.”
👉 Download Didi App here (iOS)
👉 Download for Android

2️⃣ Register an Account

After installation:

• Select your country/region and enter your mobile phone number (international numbers are accepted).
• You’ll receive a verification code via SMS.
• Enter the code, set a password, and you’re ready to go!

3️⃣ Set Up Payment Methods

Didi supports multiple payment methods, including:

• Credit/Debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc.)
• WeChat Pay
• Alipay
• UnionPay

For foreigners, the easiest is to link your credit or debit card:

• Open the app, go to Me > Wallet > Payment Methods.
• Choose Credit/Debit Card and enter your card details.
• Visa, Mastercard, and others are supported.

4️⃣ Change the Language

If the app opens in Chinese:

• Go to Me > Settings > Language, and select English or another preferred language.

5️⃣ Book Your Ride

On the home screen:

• Enter your departure and destination.
• Select the vehicle type (e.g., economy, premium, or taxi).
• Confirm and wait for your driver to arrive.

💡 Tip: More vehicle options often mean faster pick-up.

Alternative Ways to Hail a Taxi: WeChat and Alipay

In addition to Didi, you can also hail taxis through WeChat and Alipay, two of the most widely used apps in China.

🚖 Using WeChat

If you already have WeChat with WeChat Pay activated:

• Open WeChat, go to Me > Pay and Services > 滴滴出行 (Didi Travel).
• Enter your departure and destination, then book your ride directly.

WeChat also offers options for buses and subways under “Transportation Services.”

🚖 Using Alipay

On Alipay:

• Open the app, click Travel in the top-right corner.
• Choose Taxi, then fill in your departure and destination to book.
• Alipay also lets you buy bus, subway, and even high-speed train tickets (via 12306), as well as rent shared bikes.

Pro Tips for Taking a Taxi in China

• ✅ Always confirm the driver’s license plate and name before getting in.
• ✅ Have your destination written in Chinese, or use the app to show the driver.
• ✅ Keep some cash just in case, though most drivers prefer digital payments.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re visiting for business or leisure, learning how to hail a taxi in China via apps like Didi taxi app China, WeChat, or Alipay makes traveling around much easier. With this guide, you’re now ready to explore Chinese cities with confidence.

🌟 Download the Didi app today: Get Didi on iOS or Get Didi on Android.

Enjoy your trip, and stay cool if traveling during the summer heat!

References

• Didi Official Site
• WeChat Official
• Alipay Official