Getting Around China: Metro, DiDi, Maps and Taxis
How to move around Chinese cities without speaking Chinese — the apps that work for foreigners and how to pay for them.
- Ride hailing
- DiDi (English interface, foreign cards supported)
- Metro payment
- Alipay / WeChat transport QR codes, or ticket machines
- Maps
- Amap or Apple Maps work well; Google Maps is unreliable
- Taxis
- Show the address in Chinese characters
Metro
Every major city has an extensive metro signed in Chinese and English. You can tap in with the transport QR code inside Alipay or WeChat (it works in most cities), or buy single tickets at machines. Expect a bag scan at every station.
Ride hailing and taxis
DiDi is China’s main ride-hailing app and has an English version that accepts international cards. You can also order DiDi from within the Alipay app. Drivers rarely speak English — the app’s chat function translates messages. For street taxis, have your destination written in Chinese.
Maps
Google services are blocked in mainland China without a VPN, and Google Maps data is often out of date there. Amap (Gaode) has an English mode and accurate local data; Apple Maps uses Amap data inside China.
Bikes and walking
Shared bikes (Meituan, Hello) are everywhere and can be unlocked through Alipay. City centres are generally safe to walk at night.
FAQ
Does Uber work in China?
Uber does not operate in mainland China. Use DiDi, which you can access through its own app or inside Alipay.
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