Didi, Taxis and Ride-Hailing in China: A Foreigner's Survival Guide

Street-hailing is dying in China — everything runs on apps now. How to set up Didi with a foreign passport, pay without a Chinese card, and what to do when the driver calls you.

Setting up Didi with a foreign number

The Didi app (English UI) accepts overseas phone numbers and international Visa/Mastercard — add the card before your first ride. Alipay and WeChat Pay also embed one-tap ride-hailing mini-programs that work identically. Airport pickups use designated zones: follow 「网约车」 signs, then match the plate number.

Taxis still matter

Official taxis (blue-yellow in Chengdu, metered) are honest nationwide. Show your hotel's Chinese address card, say the destination plus 「打表,谢谢」 (by meter, thanks). Receipts (发票) print automatically — grab one in case you leave something behind.

When the driver calls — the 90% problem

Didi has an in-app message translate feature; common driver messages are pre-translated (I'm here / I'm 2 min away / where are you). Stand near the pin on the map, since GPS drifts inside compounds. If a driver cancels after accepting, the app auto-compensates a coupon — don't argue.

Safety and scams

All app rides are GPS-tracked with plate verification — refuse politely if anyone offers to take you to a different car. Real scams are rare now, but watch for the classic airport line 「my taxi is cheaper, follow me」: it ends in an unmetered ¥500 ride. Use the app, always.