Is There Uber in China? How Foreigners Use DiDi Instead (2026)
執筆者
Hieu Nguyen
Uber doesn't operate in mainland China. Here's how visitors use DiDi in English with a foreign phone number and card, plus DiDi in Alipay, Amap and taxis.
Uber doesn't operate in mainland China. Here's how visitors use DiDi in English with a foreign phone number and card, plus DiDi in Alipay, Amap and taxis.
Quick answer: no, Uber doesn't operate in mainland China. Uber sold its China business to local rival DiDi in August 2016, and DiDi is now the app most people use. Visitors can use the DiDi app in English with a foreign phone number and an international card, book DiDi inside Alipay, or use Amap, which added English ride-hailing in 2025. Uber still works in Hong Kong. Whichever app you use, you'll need to receive an SMS code on your number, so keep your home SIM on and use a travel eSIM for data.
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What happened to Uber in China?
Uber launched in China in 2014 and spent heavily competing with Didi Chuxing. In August 2016 it agreed to sell its China operations to DiDi. DiDi took over Uber's brand, business and data in China, and Uber and Uber China's other investors received about a 20% stake in the combined company.
So in mainland cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu or Xi'an, opening the Uber app won't get you a car. Uber does still operate in Hong Kong. Macau is a separate case: Uber left in 2016 and has since tried to restart there, with limited service, so check the app if you're going.
Your options instead of Uber in China
| Option | Phone number | Payment | Language | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DiDi app (international version) | Foreign number that can receive SMS | International cards such as Visa and Mastercard, or Alipay | English | Most visitors |
| DiDi inside Alipay | Your Alipay account | The card linked to Alipay | Partly English | If you already set up Alipay |
| Amap (Gaode) ride-hailing | Foreign number support is limited; check before you rely on it | Alipay or WeChat Pay | English ride-hailing in the international version | Comparing prices across ride services |
| DiDi inside WeChat | Hard to register with a foreign number | WeChat Pay | Mostly Chinese | Residents rather than tourists |
| Street taxis | Not needed | Cash, or Alipay/WeChat Pay QR codes | Chinese | Short trips and backup |
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How to use DiDi in China as a foreigner
- Download the DiDi app before you fly. Pick the official passenger app from DiDi and switch the language to English in settings.
- Register with your own mobile number. You don't need a Chinese SIM, but you do need to receive the SMS code, so do this at home or keep your home SIM on while traveling.
- Add a payment method. Travel guides report that international Visa and Mastercard cards work in the app. Linking a card in Alipay is a good backup if a card is declined.
- Book a ride. Enter your destination (copying the Chinese address from a map app helps), choose the car type, and confirm the price estimate.
- Use the in-app chat. The app's chat with drivers offers translation, which helps if you don't speak Chinese.
If SMS codes won't arrive while you're in China, see how to receive SMS abroad for the dual-SIM setup that keeps them coming.
DiDi in Alipay and ride-hailing in Amap
If you've already set up Alipay with an international card, you can book DiDi directly inside it: search for DiDi or open the transport section, and pay with the card linked to Alipay. Many travel guides find this the smoothest route, because payment is already sorted.
Amap (Gaode Maps), China's popular map app, added ride-hailing to its English-language version in May 2025, covering more than 360 cities. It compares several ride services at once. Reports differ on how well it accepts foreign phone numbers, so set it up before you travel and keep DiDi as your main option.
How much does DiDi cost?
Ride-hailing in China is inexpensive by Western standards. Fares depend on city, distance, time of day and car type, from the standard Express option to premium cars. The app shows an estimate before you confirm. Prices can rise during rush hour, in bad weather and late at night.
Tips for getting around Chinese cities
- Have addresses in Chinese for your hotel and key stops. Drivers often don't read English.
- Meet the driver at the exact pin. Pick-up points at stations and airports can be far apart; follow the map in the app.
- Check the plate number before you get in.
- The metro is often faster than a car in big cities at rush hour.
- Use official taxi ranks at airports and stations rather than drivers who approach you.
Staying connected for ride apps in China
DiDi, Alipay and maps all need mobile data. Many visitors also want access to apps that are blocked on Chinese networks, such as Google Maps and WhatsApp. BitJoy's China eSIMs run on China Mobile with data routed via Hong Kong (a Singapore-routed option on China Unicom and China Telecom is also available), so they behave like roaming rather than a local Chinese line. Read our guide to internet in China for tourists for the details.
Data for DiDi and Alipay in China
BitJoy's China eSIM, from $3.49 for 1 GB, installs before you fly and connects on arrival.
See China eSIMsFrequently asked questions
Is there Uber in China?
Not in mainland China. Uber sold its China business to DiDi in 2016. Uber still operates in Hong Kong.
What is the Chinese version of Uber?
DiDi (Didi Chuxing). It's the main ride-hailing app in China and has an English version for visitors.
Can foreigners use DiDi in China?
Yes. Download the DiDi app, switch it to English, register with your own phone number (you need to receive an SMS code) and add an international card or Alipay.
Do I need a Chinese phone number for DiDi?
No. A foreign number works in the DiDi app as long as it can receive the SMS code. The DiDi mini-program inside WeChat is harder to register with a foreign number.
Is DiDi cheaper than Uber?
Fares in China are generally low compared with Uber in Western cities. DiDi fares depend on the city, distance, time and car type, and the app shows an estimate before you book.
