DiDi:
Ride-Hailing in China
滴滴出行 · Dīdī Chūxíng
Uber does not operate its own mainland China ride-hailing service. DiDi is the main local option, with English interface support, international phone number login, and in-app translated chat.
Recommended: set up a payment method before your first ride
DiDi supports international credit/debit cards in the standalone app, but you should still keep Alipay or WeChat Pay as backup. Check the payment options shown in your own DiDi app — availability varies by account, card issuer, region, and app version.
Quick setup overview
English interface · international number login · in-app translated chat
Download DiDi
Search "DiDi" on App Store or Google Play. The app includes English interface support and international phone number login.
Register with your number
Enter your home-country phone number and verify by SMS. International numbers are generally supported.
Add a payment method
Add an international credit/debit card, Apple Pay, Alipay, or WeChat Pay. If one method fails, switch to another. DiDi supports international cards in the standalone app, but keep Alipay or WeChat Pay as backup.
Enter destination
Search in English or Chinese. DiDi uses AMap data for location and routing across Chinese cities.
Confirm pickup & wait
Driver assignment time varies by location, weather, demand, and time of day. Always confirm the license plate shown in the app before boarding.
Ride and pay
Use the in-app translated chat if needed. Fare is charged through your selected payment method after the ride. Turn on auto-deduct if available.
Practical tips
Always verify the plate number
Before getting in, check the license plate on your phone matches the car in front of you. This is the official DiDi safety step — do it every ride.
Driver calls you
Drivers often call to confirm your pickup location, entrance, route, or phone-number verification. If you cannot speak Chinese, stay at your GPS pin and use the in-app translated chat.
Screenshot your last 4 digits
Some drivers may ask for the last 4 digits of the phone number used to book the ride. Screenshot or note those 4 digits before pickup so you can show them quickly if asked.
DiDi also works inside WeChat and Alipay
DiDi also works inside WeChat and Alipay mini programs. WeChat mini program usually uses WeChat Pay; Alipay mini program usually uses Alipay. The standalone DiDi app may offer more payment options.
DiDi Express vs DiDi Premier
Express is the standard option — fastest and typically cheapest. Premier offers higher-rated drivers with better vehicles — useful for airport trips or when reliability matters.
Safety tips
- Always verify the license plate shown in the app before boarding — every ride.
- Share your trip with a friend or family member if travelling alone or late at night. DiDi has a trip-sharing feature.
- Use the in-app translated chat to communicate with your driver — avoid leaving the app or calling from an unknown number.
- Use DiDi's in-app emergency button only when genuinely needed. It connects to local emergency services.
Common issues
Move to a wider road, hotel entrance, main gate, or a pickup-friendly area. Drivers may be unable or unwilling to stop in narrow alleys, gated compounds, or hotel driveways. Adjust the pickup pin and try again.
Drivers often call to confirm pickup location, entrance, or route. Stay at your GPS pin and use the in-app translated chat if you cannot speak Chinese. Do not cancel — wait at your pinned location.
Check that your selected payment method is active. If direct card payment fails, try Alipay, WeChat Pay, Apple Pay, or another card. Contact your card issuer if the payment is blocked. Resolve payment setup before you urgently need a ride.
DiDi pins your location automatically. If it's off, drag the pickup pin to the correct spot on the map before confirming the booking.
Need a map app? Use AMap Global
DiDi uses AMap data internally. For independent navigation, AMap Global is China's first English map for overseas visitors — accurate GPS, live transit, English search.
AMap Global guide →Want us to handle transport?
We set up DiDi before you arrive.
Our Soft Landing service configures DiDi, AMap, WeChat Pay, and Alipay before your flight — so you step off the plane and move.
View Soft Landing ServiceRelated guides