How to Use DiDi in China Without a Chinese Phone Number

I spent 15 minutes at a Beijing intersection trying to flag down a taxi. Three drove past with their lights off. Two stopped, looked at my hotel address, and shook their heads before pulling away.

Then a friend showed me how to use DiDi through Alipay. The next ride took 90 seconds to book.

If you're visiting China and worried about getting around, here's everything we learned from 14 days of using DiDi across Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai.

Why DiDi Beats Street Taxis

Street taxis in China are a gamble. The driver might refuse your destination. They might not understand your pronunciation. You'll definitely negotiate or hope the meter is running.

DiDi fixes all of this:

• Upfront pricing — you see the fare before confirming
• No language barrier — the driver sees your destination in Chinese
• Auto-payment — charges your Alipay automatically
• GPS tracking — the route is logged, so no "scenic detours"
• No tipping — it's not expected and can create awkwardness

The Secret: Use DiDi Through Alipay

Here's what most guides don't tell you: you don't need to download the standalone DiDi app. And you don't need a Chinese phone number.

Instead, use the DiDi mini-program inside Alipay. It works the same way, uses your existing Alipay payment, and requires zero extra setup.

Step-by-Step: Booking Your First DiDi Ride

Before you leave home:

1. Download Alipay and complete verification (do this 1-2 weeks early—see our Alipay setup guide)
2. Link your Visa or Mastercard
3. Make a small test payment if possible

In China, when you need a ride:

1. Open Alipay
2. Tap the search bar and type "DiDi" or "滴滴出行"
3. Select the DiDi mini-program

1. Allow location permissions
2. Set your pickup location (it usually auto-detects)
3. Enter your destination — paste Chinese addresses for best results
4. Choose your car type:
   • Express (快车) — cheapest, standard sedan
   • Premier (优享) — nicer car, slightly higher price
   • Luxe (豪华) — premium vehicles

1. Tap Confirm and wait for driver assignment
2. Verify the license plate matches before getting in
3. Ride to destination — payment is automatic

That's it. No cash. No conversation. No stress.

Real Pricing: What We Actually Paid

Here's what DiDi cost us across three cities in September 2025:

| Route | Distance | Time | Cost | |-------|----------|------|------| | Beijing hotel to Temple of Heaven | ~8 km | 25 min | ¥28 (~$4) | | Xi'an station to hotel | ~12 km | 35 min | ¥42 (~$6) | | Shanghai Pudong Airport to Bund | ~40 km | 55 min | ¥138 (~$19) | | Average city ride | 5-8 km | 15-20 min | ¥15-30 (~$2-4) |

Compared to street taxis, DiDi was consistently 10-20% cheaper for us. And we never had to argue about the fare.

Troubleshooting: When Things Go Wrong

The driver can't find you

This happens. Chinese pickup zones can be confusing, and many buildings have multiple entrances.

Quick fixes:

• Move your pickup pin to a main road or landmark
• Walk to the hotel lobby or a major intersection
• Use the in-app messaging (it auto-translates)
• Show the driver your location on Amap

The driver calls you

Most drivers will call to confirm pickup location. Don't panic.

What to do:

• If you're at a hotel, hand the phone to reception
• Use simple phrases: "在这里" (zài zhè lǐ) — "I'm here"
• Send a voice message through the app
• Just wave—they usually spot you

The mini-program won't load

Check these things:

• Internet connection (switch between WiFi and mobile data)
• Alipay is updated to the latest version
• Location permissions are enabled
• Try closing and reopening Alipay

No drivers available

This happens in:

• Rural areas with few DiDi drivers
• Very early morning (before 6 AM)
• During heavy rain when demand spikes

Alternatives:

• Walk to a main road and flag a taxi
• Take the metro if it's running
• Ask your hotel to call a taxi

Safety Tips That Actually Matter

I've seen safety guides that go overboard. Here's what we actually did:

• Check the plate number before getting in (this is the only non-negotiable)
• Sit in the back seat (standard practice in China anyway)
• Keep your phone charged (your only payment method)
• Share your trip via WeChat if traveling alone at night

DiDi drivers are rated and tracked. We never felt unsafe, but basic awareness helps.

When to Use DiDi vs. Metro

DiDi isn't always the best choice.

Use DiDi when:

• You have heavy luggage
• It's before 6 AM or after 11 PM (metro closed)
• Your destination is far from a metro station
• You're in a rush and transfers would slow you down
• Airport or train station transfers

Use metro when:

• It's rush hour (traffic jams make DiDi slow)
• You're traveling on a direct line
• You want to save money (metro costs ¥2-8 per trip)

We used metro for about 70% of our transportation and DiDi for the rest. The combo works well.

Pro Tips From 14 Days of DiDi Rides

Use Chinese addresses. Copy your destination name in Chinese characters. Amap shows these for any location. Paste directly into DiDi for zero confusion.

Save your hotel as a favorite. After your first ride home, save the hotel address in DiDi. One tap to get back.

Screenshot your destination. Before you leave WiFi, screenshot the DiDi confirmation with driver details and destination. Offline backup if your internet dies.

Check surge pricing. DiDi shows multipliers during peak times. If you're not in a hurry, wait 15 minutes for prices to drop.

Enable "I don't speak Chinese." DiDi has a toggle that tells drivers you don't speak Mandarin. They'll rely on the app and text messages instead of calling.

If You Don't Want to Set This Up Yourself

We get it—this is a lot of setup before your trip. Between Alipay verification, VPN installation, and app downloads, it can feel overwhelming.

If you'd rather land in China with everything working, our Guardian package includes pre-configured app support and 24/7 WeChat assistance when things go wrong. It's $19 and saves hours of frustration.

The Bottom Line

DiDi through Alipay is the easiest way to get around Chinese cities. No separate app. No Chinese phone number. No language barrier.

Set up Alipay before you fly, and you'll be booking rides within minutes of landing.

Quick checklist before your trip:

• [ ] Alipay downloaded and verified
• [ ] Card linked with test payment completed
• [ ] DiDi mini-program found (search it once to save it)
• [ ] Hotel address saved in Chinese characters
• [ ] Power bank packed (dead phone = no rides)

You've got this.

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Related Guides:

• How to Use Alipay for Foreigners
• China High-Speed Rail: Complete Guide
• Surviving the Language Barrier in China