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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.

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

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.