Quick Answer
In China, locals almost never hail taxis on the street.
Most rides are booked online via ride-hailing apps, and street taxis are hard to find, especially during rush hours.
You must install a ride-hailing app before arrival, or you risk being unable to get a ride at all.
The Core Reality (This Surprises Most First-Time Visitors)
China has effectively shifted to app-first ride-hailing.
In many cities:
- Street taxis are fewer than expected
- Empty taxis are rare during peak hours
- Drivers prefer app orders for routing and payment
- Hailing by hand often fails
If you rely on street taxis alone, you will get stuck.
When Street Taxis Are Hard to Find
Street taxis are especially difficult to hail:
- During morning (7–9am) and evening (5–7pm) rush hours
- Near business districts at closing time
- In residential areas at night
- During rain or bad weather
- Near major transport hubs
Locals do not wait—they open an app.
Ride-Hailing Apps Are Not Optional
For practical travel in China:
- Install a ride-hailing app before you arrive
- Set it up and test payment early
- Treat it as your primary taxi method
Street taxis are now a fallback, not the default.
Paying With Ride-Hailing Apps (Recommended)
How It Works
- The fare is calculated in the app
- Payment is processed in-app
- No QR scanning or negotiation is required in the car
This is the most reliable and least stressful method.
Exact Actions: Use Ride-Hailing the Right Way
- Install the app and log in before arrival.
- Add and test a payment method.
- Complete a short test ride early in your trip.
- Let the app handle the payment at trip end.
Do not attempt to settle payment verbally unless prompted.
If App Payment Fails
- Wait for the app to retry automatically.
- Switch payment method once in-app.
- If it still fails, follow the app’s instructions or pay cash if requested.
- Resolve disputes after the ride, not in the car.
Paying Street Taxis (Secondary Option)
What to Expect
- Wallet QR payment is common
- Drivers may request a specific wallet
- Cash is always acceptable
Street taxi payment is less standardized than app rides.
Best Practice for Street Taxis
- At arrival, watch the meter stop.
- Ask or gesture which payment method the driver wants.
- Open the correct Pay or Scan screen immediately.
- If payment stalls, switch once or use cash.
Do not troubleshoot while blocking traffic.
Why Drivers Ask for Specific Wallets
Drivers may say “WeChat,” “Alipay,” or “cash” because:
- Their terminal routes one wallet better
- Mobile signal varies while driving
- Settlement rules differ by city
- They want to avoid delays
This is operational, not personal.
Common Mistakes Foreigners Make
- Expecting to hail taxis easily on the street
- Not installing ride-hailing apps in advance
- Trying to negotiate payment verbally
- Troubleshooting wallet issues in traffic
- Assuming street taxis are the norm
These assumptions no longer match reality.
Failure Scenarios & Fixes
- Cannot find a taxi: open a ride-hailing app immediately.
- Driver insists on one wallet: use it or pay cash.
- Payment stuck on “Processing”: wait, then switch once.
- Rush hour with no cars nearby: change pickup point slightly.
- Late-night travel: ride-hailing is safer and more available.
Reality Check
- Locals rarely wave down taxis.
- Apps dominate ride allocation.
- Peak hours amplify shortages.
- Installing the app is essential preparation.
Treat ride-hailing as infrastructure, not convenience.
What Locals Do Instead
- They open an app immediately.
- They adjust pickup points instead of waiting.
- They let the app handle payment.
- They use street taxis only when convenient.
Copy this behavior.
Checklist
- Ride-hailing app installed before arrival.
- Payment method added and tested.
- One successful test ride completed.
- Wallet Pay and Scan screens known.
- Cash available as backup.