Taxis and Didi without speaking Chinese

Didi is the ride-hailing app and it has an English interface. It also runs as a mini-program inside Alipay and WeChat, which is the version to use if you would rather not install anything.

Ordering

1. 1

   Set the pick-up by moving the map

   Do not type it. The pin is more reliable than an address you have transliterated, and the driver navigates to the pin.

2. 2

   Set the destination the same way, or paste Chinese

   If you have the address in Chinese characters — from a listing, a restaurant page, a message — paste it. It will match.

3. 3

   Pick the cheapest class unless it is raining

   Express 快车 is the normal one. In heavy rain or at closing time, prices surge and a licensed street taxi is often quicker.

4. 4

   Check the plate before you get in

   The app shows it. This is the whole safety procedure and it takes two seconds.

Street taxis

Still everywhere, still metered, still cheap. Have the destination in Chinese on your screen — a driver who cannot read it will wave you out rather than guess. Pay by QR; many drivers no longer carry change for a hundred-yuan note.