DiDi, officially called DiDi Chuxing, is China’s largest ride-hailing platform basically their version of Uber. It lets users book taxis, private cars, shared rides, bikes, and even buses directly through the app. It’s super popular across China, serving hundreds of millions of users every day.
DiDi also offers extra features like food delivery, chauffeur services, and even EV charging station info. Outside China, it’s available in a few other countries too, like Mexico, Brazil, and Japan.
Key Features
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App-based ride-hailing for taxi, private car, shuttle, inter-city rides, motorbike etc.
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Up-front fixed fares (no negotiation) and real-time quote before booking.
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English interface support for global users: you can toggle English UI, international mobile numbers accepted, bilingual chat with drivers (auto-translation) for many trips.Multiple payment methods: foreign bank cards (Visa/Mastercard/AmEx/JCB) via DiDi Pay International or alternatively via linking to local wallets (Alipay/WeChat) for visitors.
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Safety features: 24/7 English customer service, built-in SOS/emergency, trip sharing features.
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Big scale: 600+ million registered riders, service in 400+ Chinese cities by some estimates.
User Feedback
👍 Likes:
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Useful for tourists: The bilingual chat and English UI help non-Chinese speakers coordinate with drivers and make things smoother.
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Convenience: Many travelers say when it works it’s much better than flagging down street taxis, clearer pricing, easier for expense claims.
👎 Complaints:
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Payment issues: Foreign cards may be declined, or linking them is tricky. One reviewer said “the app allows foreign credit cards … good luck trying to add it”.
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Driver & car quality: Some users complain about car cleanliness, driver behavior, cancellations or being hard to get a ride in certain locations.
“Ok just took like 3 di-di rides and all 3 cars were so smelly I felt like vomiting the whole ride.”
“I booked didi ride … driver asked us to pay personally … then the didi app prompted to pay extra… I swear we got scammed.” -
Connectivity & version confusion: Some non-Chinese users find the international version or mini-program doesn’t work as expected.
“It just kept saying it couldn’t connect to network … anyone else have similar issue?”
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App access/regulation: The app was taken down from Chinese stores at one point for regulatory review (so new users in China might face issues).
Comparison with Rivals
| App | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| DiDi China | Large ride-hailing network in China, good for tourists (if set up right) | Payment linking may be tricky, some service quality complaints |
| Local rank-&-file taxis | Easy to hail on street (in big cities) | No fixed fare estimate, harder if you don’t speak Chinese |
| Other apps (e.g., Amap’s ride-hailing, etc.) | Might allow simpler integration if you already use Amap maps | May have fewer cars in some locations or less English support |
In short: For ride-hailing in China, DiDi is one of the most comprehensive apps. But as a foreign user, you’ll want to prepare (payment setup, understanding pickups, etc.) so you avoid pitfalls.
How to Use DiDi as a Foreigner
Here’s a step-by-step for you (as you travel or operate in China)
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Install the app
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Go to your device’s app store and search for “DiDi Ride-Hailing in China”. Make sure it matches the app for “中国”/China service.
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If you’re already in China, ensure you have good mobile data or WiFi to download.
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Switch to English UI & set up profile
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In the app, locate settings → language (语言) → choose English. This enables many menus in English.
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Enter your mobile number (international number often acceptable) and verify.
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Set payment method
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Try adding your international bank card (Visa/Mastercard) in DiDi Pay International if offered.
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Alternatively ensure you have a linked Alipay/WeChat wallet that can pay by QR or account linked to foreign card.
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Before booking a ride test a small transaction maybe to confirm setup.
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Book a ride
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Enter pickup location & drop-off. Use landmarks or the map pin to be precise (especially if road signage is tricky).
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Check fare estimate shown by app. If there’s surge or extra fees, it should be visible.
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Choose car type (standard, premium, etc.). Confirm driver info & car plate once it arrives.
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During the ride
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Use the in-app chat to coordinate. The auto-translation feature helps if you and driver speak different languages.
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For safety you can share your trip details with someone or check SOS/help features.
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After the ride
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The payment should automatically process (as long as your method is valid).
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Check receipt for correct amount. If you suspect extra charges you think are unfair (e.g., driver asks for additional cash), you can raise a dispute via the app’s help section. Many users report doing this.
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Good-to-Know Tips & Common Issues
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If your SMS verification code doesn’t arrive (especially on roaming/international SIM) try using local WiFi, or switch to a local SIM if possible.
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Some users say the version of DiDi that works best for tourists is the mini-program inside Alipay rather than the standalone app.
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Use landmarks rather than just street names when entering pickup/drop-off (tourist areas may lack clear signage).
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Cars might still vary in quality if you want premium experience, choose the higher car tier.
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Keep an eye on your payment method: even if you linked a foreign card, it might get declined randomly. Have backup via Alipay/WeChat if possible.
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Don’t rely solely on “lowest fare” especially in remote or early-morning hours availability may drop and surge may apply.
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For data privacy/regulatory issues: understand that the ride-hailing market in China is heavily regulated. For instance the app was temporarily removed from stores in 2021 because of personal-data concerns.
