You’ll want to download the DiDi Chuxing app on your phone before you arrive in China (similar to how you’ll want to download a VPN before you leave for China) and set up your payment method.Īlthough the app works in English, you’ll get the best results if you’re able to input the Chinese characters for your destination (which requires knowing how to write Chinese). The even better news is that the app is available in English and travelers can use their foreign credit cards to issue payment for services (eliminating the need to carry the right cash with you). The good news is that using Didi Chuxing is extremely fast and efficient. Now, Didi Chuxing (滴滴出行) is one of the only ride-hailing services in China. They eventually lost too much money and sold the business to Didi Chuxing in 2016. It used to be that you could use Uber in China, but that is no longer the case. If this isn’t you and you’re having a hard time finding a traditional taxi in China, there’s still one more option you can try: the Chinese version of Uber.
Of course, taking a black taxi requires at least an intermediate grasp of the Chinese language. Otherwise, you might be waiting on the street corner for a long time! You must get the price negotiated before you jump in the car or you’re just asking for problems down the road.ĭon’t be afraid to take a Chinese black taxi if you need to. This is important: tell them where you want to go and then ask how much they’ll charge. They’re hoping to offset their gas costs by finding somebody else going their direction and giving them a ride.Īfter you’ve waved down a black taxi, they’ll usually drop their window to ask where you’re headed. Technically, they’re illegal (gasp!!) but practically they’re indispensable.Ī black taxi is usually just a regular Chinese person who is either unemployed or driving back home from work. These cars come in many shapes and colors but they are collectively referred to as “black taxis”. Then, all of the sudden, you might see some cars honking at you or blinking their headlights and slowing down. When you’ve been waiting on the side of the road for a taxi in China and there’s been nothing for 10-20 minutes, you might start to feel this sense of hopelessness. When that’s the case, you’ll want to consider a few other private transportation options like a black taxi or “Chinese Uber” ride. There are times, especially during rush hour and in bigger cities, when it’s easier to win the lottery than to find an open taxi. The biggest challenge, though, is often just finding an open taxi in China. By law, Chinese taxis must use the meter, so if a taxi driver starts to negotiate a price with you, politely ask about or point to the meter and if they refuse, exit the vehicle.
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