🚕 Taxi & Ride-Hailing
DiDi
China's dominant ride-hailing platform, offering private car rides, taxi bookings, and other mobility services across the country. About DiDi: DiDi Chuxing is China's leading ride-hailing app, similar in scope to Uber or Grab, covering private car rides, licensed taxi bookings, and in some cities, bike and scooter rentals, with especially deep coverage across Chinese cities. Key Features: Multiple Ride Types: Choose from private cars, taxis, and express options depending on your city and budget. Upfront Fare Estimates: See an estimated fare before confirming your ride. In-App Payment: Pay via Alipay, WeChat Pay, or a linked card depending on your account setup. Wide City Coverage: Extensive availability across both major Chinese cities and smaller towns. How to Get Started: Download the DiDi app and register with a Chinese phone number. Link a payment method (Alipay, WeChat Pay, or supported card). Enter your pickup location and destination to see ride options and fares. Confirm your booking and track your driver's arrival on the map. Important Notice: Registration and full functionality generally require a Chinese phone number and a linked local payment method — foreign visitors without these may find it harder to use DiDi compared to apps built for international tourists.
Amap (Gaode)
China's leading digital map and navigation app, also functioning as a ride-hailing aggregator that connects users with multiple transport providers. About Amap (Gaode): Amap (高德地图), owned by Alibaba, is one of China's two dominant mapping and navigation apps (alongside Baidu Maps), also serving as a ride-hailing aggregator that lets users compare and book rides from multiple providers like DiDi within one app. Key Features: Detailed Navigation: Turn-by-turn driving, walking, and public transit directions across China. Ride-Hailing Aggregation: Compare fares and wait times across several ride-hailing providers in one search. Offline Maps: Download maps for areas with limited connectivity. Real-Time Traffic: Live traffic conditions integrated into route planning. How to Get Started: Download the Amap app and register with a Chinese phone number for full functionality. Search for your destination to get navigation directions or compare ride-hailing options. Select a ride-hailing provider and confirm your booking if using that feature. Use turn-by-turn navigation for walking, driving, or transit directions as needed. Important Notice: Amap's interface is primarily in Chinese, though basic navigation is usable with some language support — for ride-hailing specifically, using DiDi directly is also a common alternative if you don't need the multi-provider comparison feature.