You can book DiDi through the Didi-Greater China app (which official guidance says accepts foreign numbers and international cards), through Alipay → Transport → Taxi, or through WeChat → Me → Services → Mobility. The Alipay path is the least extra work if your wallet already works. For street taxis, insist on the meter or take the next car. You do not, as a rule, have to show a passport to take a city ride.
最終確認日 · 初出 · 出典 1 件
重要な事実
| Three official routes | Didi-Greater China app · Alipay Transport → Taxi · WeChat Me → Services → Mobility |
|---|---|
| Foreign phone number | Official visitor text says the Greater China app supports one |
| Service levels named officially | Express, Taxi, Premier, Luxe |
| Passport for a city ride | Not a national requirement we can find — unlike trains and flights |
| Street taxis | Use the meter; if they will not, take the next car |
The short version
Foreign visitors can book DiDi ride-hailing in mainland China. Official English guidance for foreign business visitors (Beijing Municipal Government, drawing on national advice) names three routes into the same service:
- The Didi-Greater China app, which “supports foreigners to use foreign mobile phone numbers and international credit cards to register.”
- Alipay: open Transport, then Taxi, and enter pickup and destination.
- WeChat: Me → Services, then Mobility or Ride Hailing (the label has changed across versions).
The same guidance notes that Trip.com can be used to pre-book an airport shuttle, paid with an international card — that is a transfer, not an on-demand street hail.
For most visitors who already set up Alipay, the Alipay path is the least extra work. A mainland number is convenient because drivers may call about the exact pickup point, but official text says a foreign number can be used on the Greater China app. Keep your ringer on.
How a ride works
Set the pin carefully
Pickup points at malls, stations and airports are easy to get slightly wrong. Zoom in. If the app offers a named gate or exit, use it. A Chinese address from a driver card pasted into the destination field is more reliable than an English nickname.
Choose a service level
The official visitor text lists Express, Taxi, Premier and Luxe on the Greater China app. Express is the everyday option. Prices are set by the platform and can rise at peak times; what you are shown before you confirm is the figure that matters.
Check the plate and the photo
National ride-hailing rules require the platform to show the driver’s name, photograph, mobile number, rating and the vehicle plate. Match the plate before you get in. The fare is typically deducted from the wallet at the end; you should not need to negotiate cash in the car for an app ride.
Street taxis
Licensed taxis are plentiful in Shenzhen and other large cities. The honest version: most are fine; a few at tourist exits will try to quote a flat “price” instead of using the meter. Official phrases help. On our printable phrase cards you will find “please use the meter” in Chinese. If the driver will not use the meter, take the next car.
Pay with Alipay or WeChat if they show a QR code, or with cash. Do not assume a physical Visa card will work in the cab. In Shenzhen, the metro will be cheaper for most central trips — and since 10 September 2026 you can tap a foreign contactless card at the gate.
If something goes wrong
The national ride-hailing rules require a complaint-handling process and a taxi invoice (发票, fapiao) if you ask for one. If a driver takes a deliberate detour or asks for extra cash on an app ride, cancel if you have not started, or use the in-app complaint after. If you feel unsafe, you can leave at a well-lit place and call 110 for the police. See emergency numbers.
よくある質問
Can foreigners use DiDi in China?
Yes. Official English guidance for foreign visitors names the Didi-Greater China app, Alipay and WeChat as the three ways to book. The Greater China app is described as supporting foreign mobile numbers and international cards.
Is it easier to use DiDi inside Alipay?
For most visitors who already set up Alipay, yes — there is no extra app. Open Transport, then Taxi.
Do I need to show my passport to the driver?
We are not aware of a national rule that requires a passport for a city ride-hail. Real-name passport rules are about trains, flights and some long-distance coaches. If you feel uncomfortable, you can cancel and take another car.