How To Get Around Beijing (Metro, DiDi, Alipay and More)

China is talked about as one of the most difficult countries to visit. Their apps are different, it’s high tech, and people speak primarily Chinese.

When arriving in Beijing, I was quite intimiting…but here are some tips on how to properly navigate and get around Beijing.

	🚇 Metro	🚗 DiDi	🚶 Walking	🚌 Tour Bus
Cost	2-10 CNY per ride	15-50 CNY per ride	Free	Varies by tour
Ease of use	Very easy via Alipay	Easy once set up	Easy but tiring	Very easy
Speed	Fast - avoids traffic	Moderate - traffic dependent	Slow - city is massive	Slow but stress free
Requires Alipay	Yes	Yes	No	Sometimes
Best for	Daily sightseeing across the city	Late nights, luggage, off-metro routes	Short distances only	Great Wall and day trips

Alipay

Alipay is one of the most crucial apps to download on your trip to China. Everything you need is on Alipay.

Within the app you will have all the resources for a stress-free trip. Rideshare, the metro, bullet train bookings, hotels, etc.

Important: You must set Alipay up before your trip to China. You will likely run into problems if it is not set up. Do it…or be stressed. The process is simple, you will just link your International card and then use Alipay as your “debit card”. Then the card you have linked will be charged.

Uber in China - DiDi

There is no Uber, Lyft, Grab, you name it, in China. DiDi will be your main app for getting a taxi in Beijing.

It’s a little confusing, but you’ll figure it out if you treat it like a normal ride sharing app.

How to download DiDi? It’s isiden Alipay of course. I’m not exaggerating the use of Alipay, its one of the most efficient apps ever. Just a heads up, your drivers will most likely not speak english so it’s best to have a picture of the Chinese address as a back up just incase.

The Beijing Metro

Not only is it cheap, but it is SPOTLESS. There were a lot of kids but nobody was running around with their head cut off, it was peaceful on most trains. I went to a few areas all around Beijing and had no problem whatsoever.

Using it is simple. You hit the “transport” button on Alipay. Remember…everything is on Alipay.

You will use it to scan into the train, and you just scan it on your way out and it will charge you whatever you owe. Very easy.

What’s VERY cool about the Beijing Metro is that there are cars with different temperatures. If you’re hot, go on the Cold train. If you’re sweating, go on the COLDER train. It’s something I’ve never seen before

Private Rides & Tours

On your trip to the Great Wall of China, you will want to have a tour or ride booked…it’s not close at all. You can read my post about the tour I used here.

Or if you just want to book it on Viator, go here.

Alipay of course have a tickets and tours button, but it might be difficult to navigate within the app.

Walking Around Beijing

Beijing is extremely safe. You could walk around there at 2am and be perfectly fine. The issue: Beijing is much bigger than you think.

I tried walking to something that looked close, and it ended up being an hour. It’s very walkable with sidewalks and underpasses, it’s just massive. Keep that in mind before you decide to go somewhere. The metro is the best way of transportation in my opinion.

Navigating your way through the city will be easy on “Baidu Maps”, which is a Chinese maps app to download. Google Maps is will not work for you unless you have a VPN. I personally had no issues no issues using Apple Maps.

There are plenty of options, but just be prepared on your trip to Beijing.

VPN

Having a VPN in China is quite crucial for tourism. There are a lot of talks how “things are banned in China”, but it’s just not true. You will be able to use your apps fine with a VPN.

A VPN is a “virtual private network” that will protect your data while being on the internet. It is crucial in China because it will essentially tell apps that you are not in China, therefore…you can use them. There are plenty of options, but I use NordVPN personally.

Having an eSim is also important so you can have service while enjoying Beijing.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does Uber work in Beijing? +

No - Uber does not operate in China. DiDi is the equivalent and the app you need for ride share in Beijing. Download it before you arrive and link it to Alipay for payments. Once set up it works almost identically to Uber and is very affordable.

Do I need Alipay in Beijing? +

Yes - Alipay is essential for getting around Beijing. You need it to pay for the metro, use DiDi, buy food, pay for souvenirs, and handle almost every transaction in the city. Cash is rarely accepted and western credit cards often do not work. Download Alipay before you leave home and link an international card to it. This is the single most important thing you can do before visiting China.

Is the Beijing Metro easy to use for tourists? +

Yes - the Beijing Metro is one of the easiest metro systems in the world to navigate as a tourist. Signs are in both Chinese and English, the network is extensive, and payment is handled entirely through Alipay. You tap in with Alipay when you enter and tap out when you leave and it charges you automatically. Most journeys cost between 2 and 10 CNY which is less than $2 USD.

How do I get around Beijing without speaking Chinese? +

Easier than you think. The metro has English signage throughout. DiDi has an English language option. Google Translate with the camera function handles most signs and menus. Apple Maps works in China and is reliable for navigation unlike Google Maps which is blocked. Download everything before you arrive and you will have no problem navigating Beijing independently.

How much does DiDi cost in Beijing? +

Most DiDi rides within central Beijing cost between 15 and 50 CNY which is roughly $2 to $7 USD. Prices are very affordable by Western standards. Airport transfers and longer journeys cost more. Always check the fare estimate in the app before confirming your ride.

Is it safe to walk around Beijing at night? +

Yes - Beijing is extremely safe at night. Street crime against tourists is virtually unheard of. The main thing to be aware of is how large the city is. What looks close on a map can be a 45 minute walk. Use the metro or DiDi for anything beyond a short stroll rather than committing to a long walk in the dark.

Does Google Maps work in Beijing? +

No - Google Maps is blocked in China along with most Google services. Use Apple Maps instead which works reliably in Beijing. For public transport navigation the Alipay app handles metro routes and DiDi handles ride share. A VPN can restore access to Google services but reliability varies and it needs to be installed before you arrive in China.

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