For international travellers looking to take a taxi or rent a bike in Nanjing, Alipay and WeChat are the way to go, with Alipay having more options.
Taking a Taxi or a Ride Hailing Service in Nanjing
While in Nanjing it is still possible to “hail” a taxi, that is an increasingly hit and miss approach. Today, folks by and large opt to prebook via an online taxi hailing service.
The most prevalent providers in Nanjing are Didi, T3 (a Nanjing outfit; pictured) and, in the minority, Meituan and Caocao.
Either way, the MO is the same. Either use the provider’s dedicated APP, or for simplicity’s sake, Alipay or WeChat. For Alipay, simply choose “Taxi” after selecting “Transport” from the APP’s main menu; for WeChat, it’s “Ride Hailing” under “Services” in the APP’s main menu.
Be forewarned that it is best to turn off your VPN before opening the app, since there have been reports of VPNs causing the app (particularly Alipay) to not update your location. This can result in the app taking your previous destination, from when you last used it to take a taxi) as the starting point. Cue an angry phone call from the driver.
While the specifics of using taxi hailing are left to any of a multitude of other web pages dealing with the operation of ride-hailing in China, there follow the details specific to Nanjing.
Upon the taxi’s arrival the driver will ask you for the last four digits of your mobile number (or the number of the phone used to make the booking) as a means to confirm you as the legitimate customer.
At the destination, payment will either be made automatically from your Alipay or the driver will present you with a QR to scan by which means payment can be made.
Taking Your First Ride on a Shared Bike in Nanjing
Of all the shared bike options available in China, that offered by Didi is the most prevalent in Nanjing.
But many visitors may shy away from Didi or other providers on account of the requirement to pay a deposit and download an APP before use.
The alternative in Nanjing which is particularly suitable for short-term visitors (or anyone who may only have infrequent use for a bike) is Hello Bike (哈罗单车). While their bikes are fewer and sometimes more far between, no deposit is necessary and neither is a dedicated APP; the process to rent a bike can be done entirely within Alipay, assuming the user’s identity has been verified therein.
To use one of the blue and white bikes using Alipay, select “More” from the APP’s home screen followed by “Hello Bike”. Then zoom in on the map to show the location of nearby Hello Bikes available for rent; they are marked with a green dot. Make your way there, find the blue and white bike in question (pictured), and then select the biggest option in Alipay that is “扫一扫” (scan).
Scan the code on the back of the bike, hear it unlock and off you go. Note that an additional change will apply to your first rental (¥4.3 at time of writing), which also then serves as credit for subsequent rides. Each rental is billed in half hour segments at the rate of ¥1.
Note that Alipay make constant updates to their APP, meaning that the process may not be exactly as described above.
Make sure also to return the bike to a designated shared-bike parking space (they are literally everywhere and look like the place from where you picked up the bike initially; a rectangular box painted on the pavement). Ending the rental is done by manually closing the lock on the bike, whereupon the Alipay APP will respond in kind.
Hello Bikes also offer other advantages such as a saddle which can be raised and lowered.
Also note that, no matter the bike sharing outfit used, if you leave the bike just anywhere, you will likely be contacted and admonished. You may even be required to pay a fine.
