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Your taxi app · ~5 min

Get around with DiDi

DiDi is China's ride-hailing app: it replaces Uber, has an English mode, and pays straight from the app, so no cash and no language barrier. The easiest route is the DiDi mini-program inside Alipay or WeChat — it reuses the account and card you already set up, with no separate registration. You can also install the standalone DiDi app.

Chongqing's Hongyadong and Qiansimen Bridge lit up at night
Photo: darmau / Unsplash

What you need

  • Alipay or WeChat already set up (for the in-app mini-program) — or the standalone DiDi app
  • Your destination, ideally saved in Chinese to show the driver
  • Location turned on
The sandstone pillars of Zhangjiajie rising through mist, Hunan
Aurel Serban / Unsplash
Leifeng Pagoda above West Lake in Hangzhou
Nebular / Unsplash

Inside Alipay / WeChat (easiest)

  1. 1

    Open the DiDi mini-program

    Search 'DiDi' in the Alipay or WeChat search bar and open the mini-program. It reuses the account and card you already set up — nothing else to register.

    Alipay / WeChatSearchDiDiOpen

    Tip If you've done the payments guide, you're already done with setup — just open it and ride.

  2. 2

    Set pickup & destination

    Allow location, confirm your pickup pin, and type or choose your destination. Switch to English in settings if it isn't already.

  3. 3

    Pick a ride & confirm

    Choose a car class — Express is the cheap everyday option. The fare is quoted upfront, so there's no haggling, and you pay automatically at the end.

  4. 4

    Match the car, then go

    The app shows the plate, car model and driver. Check the plate before you get in.

    Tip For late-night rides, share your trip with a friend in the app — it logs the driver.

Standalone DiDi app

  1. 1

    Install, register & add a card

    Download DiDi, register with your home number and the SMS code, and add your foreign card in the app.

    DiDiRegisterAdd card
  2. 2

    Switch to English

    Turn on English so the whole app is readable.

    ProfileSettingsLanguageEnglish
  3. 3

    Book like Uber

    Set pickup and destination, pick a class, confirm. Upfront fare, paid in-app.

When it goes wrong

Common problems

The driver called and I don't speak Chinese.

Use the in-app auto-message/translate, and pin your exact pickup so they can find you. Waiting somewhere with an obvious landmark helps a lot.

DiDi or a street taxi?

DiDi is easier — no cash, no language, fare shown upfront. Street taxis are fine and cheap too, but want the destination in Chinese, so screenshot it first.

Back to your checklist →Ask the community

Checked June 2026. A planning aid, not official advice — rules and app flows change, so confirm anything critical before you rely on it.