Setting up Didi and Ride Sharing

There are several ways to reach DiDi. The standalone international app has an English interface and takes foreign phone numbers. The mini-programs inside Alipay and WeChat use your wallet account and let you pay with whatever card is linked there. Amap can also call cars and taxis, and shows prices from several providers.

Which one works best for you depends on your country, your phone and the current rules, which have changed several times. The reliable approach is to install two options and try a ride in your first hour in China.

The simplest approach is Alipay with a linked foreign card. The ride is paid automatically at the end. If a payment fails, the app may block new rides until it is cleared, so check your card works and has enough credit before travelling. Check the current price estimate in the app before you confirm, because prices change with demand and time of day.

• Keep a second payment method in your wallet.
• Notify your bank that you are travelling, since overseas wallet payments can be flagged.
• Some rides allow tips or road tolls to be added at the end. Check the final amount.

Most delays come from a pickup spot that is not where the passenger thinks. Hotels in dense districts often have no stopping point at the door. Follow the pin, not your instinct.

Drivers follow the destination in the app. Even so, they may ask where you are going. Keep the Chinese address ready, ideally as a screenshot, and show the map. This matters for factories, because the name of a company can differ from the name of the industrial park or road.

• Screenshot the destination in Chinese before you get in.
• Ask your host to confirm the gate or building name.
• If the driver goes to the wrong gate, show the map and the pin.
• Check that the in-app route looks sensible. In the app, you can follow the route to see if the car is heading the right way.

Regular taxis still run in every city and are the norm at train stations and airports. Hail one on the street, or join the official queue. Metered fares are regulated. Some drivers are less familiar with apps and with foreign payment, so keep some cash or an Alipay QR scan available.

Airports have a dedicated ride-hailing pickup area, often away from the arrivals door. Follow the signs in the airport or the pin in the app. The taxi rank is easier on arrival if you are tired, and fares are metered.

For an early factory visit, book a ride the night before or schedule it in the app if your option supports that. Industrial areas can have fewer cars waiting at dawn. Agree the time with your host and leave a buffer, because large factory zones involve security checks at the gate.

Plan a return too. Many factory parks are far from the city, and it can be hard to hail a car from the gate. Ask your host to arrange transport, or ask us to book one. See the city guides for Dongguan and Shenzhen.

• Confirm the plate and car before getting in.
• Share your trip with a colleague if the app allows it.
• Put your hotel name card in your pocket as a fallback.
• Keep your phone charged. A power bank rental is a good safety net.