Beijing taxi [Photo via tuchong.com]

How to call a taxi or use ride-hailing in Beijing?

What is DiDi?

DiDi is the one stop key to ride hailing in Beijing. You no longer need to stand on the side of the road and wave your hand for a taxi – in fact, this is so obsolete now in Beijing that it would be extremely difficult to find a ride this way. Instead, you can hail it with your fingertips within minutes. DiDi is a safe, affordable, and convenient 24/7 transportation application with an English interface that allows passengers to hail various types of rides through independent contractors as drivers. All drivers must be trained and certified, and in case of any emergency, the DiDi Safeguard system will make a direct call to the closest police center. Learn how to install, set up, and experience your first DiDi trip – order to payment – all in this step-by-step guide with easy to follow pictures.

What Do I Need to Install DiDi?

An active Cell Phone Number (Chinese and foreign numbers both work, pick one you would use in Beijing to register)

Payment Method: Bank Account / WeChat Pay / Alipay Pay

*DiDi is not a cash-friendly transportation system.

How Do I Install and Use DiDi?

Step 1: Download the "DiDi: Ride Hailing in China" App on the Android or iOS App Store

Step 2: Follow Sign-In Instruction

Click "Chinese mainland" as your regionAllow DiDi to use your location while using the app (necessary for GPS)

Sign-in with your phone number

Step 3: Order Your First Trip

Click "Enter Destination" to enter a full-screen map.

Type in your desired drop-off location (area/venue names are enough – no need for exact address details). Both English and Chinese inputs are acceptable.

Select your preferred types of vehicle then click "Confirm Request"On this screen, you will see the type of vehicles DiDi provides ordered by upfront fare cost. Under each vehicle type, you will see that there are either no nearby cars available, approximate wait time until pick up, or your position in a digital queue if you were to choose that vehicle type. 

DiDi will search for your selected vehicle types that are within proximity and ultimately provide you with the type that is located closest to you – so the more vehicle types you select, the more likely you will find an available car near you quickly.

DiDi is now searching for your nearest trip.

If you feel it is taking too long, you have the option of selecting additional vehicle types you originally excluded for a faster response. A description of the response time and upfront fare of each vehicle type can be seen.

If for any reason you need to cancel your trip, click "Cancel Trip." No payment will be made.If you did not select additional vehicle types, the upfront fare of the final vehicle type used will be paid automatically once the nearest trip is confirmed (no action need). If you did add additional vehicle types, click "Confirm" to pay the new upfront fare.

Step 4: Take Your First Ride

View a live display of how many kilometers and minutes your ride is away from your pick-up location on a map.

Once your ride arrives at your pick-up location, spot your vehicle using its license plate number displayed on this screen.

Once you enter the vehicle, show your driver the verification code displayed on this screen, which is the last four digits of your phone number to verify this is indeed your trip.

On this screen, you can perform a few other actions as necessary:

Call the driver by clicking "Call" to share any immediate information – especially useful if your registered pick-up location is slightly different from where you actually are and would like to be picked up (i.e. on the opposite side of the street). Please be aware, most drivers only speak Chinese.

Not a Chinese speaker? Don't worry! Click "Message" to send frequently used messages with just one click that are automatically translated between Chinese and English. You can also add a new "Quick Message" that will be saved and listed on this screen next time.

Click "Cancel" before five minutes pass since your trip request was confirmed to cancel your trip for free – the exact time of this is displayed on the bottom left of the screen. If you cancel your trip after the displayed time, a cancellation fee will apply (varies depending on how long the driver must wait).

Step 5: Pay for Your First Trip

During the trip, you can check the live map on the DiDi app anytime to view the estimated time until arrival at the drop-off location and green, yellow, and red colors on your route for traffic indication.

Once you arrive at your location, you can exit the DiDi without paying on site. This is extremely efficient when you are busy or running late to where you must be! The next time you open the DiDi app to order your next trip, you will need to go through the DiDi checkout process to pay for your previous trip.

On this screen, you will see the final trip cost – for more details, you can click "Fare Breakdown". Click "Pay" to meet the final cost not yet covered by the upfront cost.

Select the payment method you would like to use from the list on the screen. Click "Pay ¥XXCNY".

Go through the payment and password process of your chosen payment method until you reach a "Payment Successful" page. The example below shows the WeChat Pay payment process.