Taking taxi is a good way for expats to get around Chinese cities - and frankly sometimes to get between them - as long as you know a few guidelines so you won't be caught off-guard. Read on so you'll be prepared to use this convenient way to get yourself around in China.
Write Down Your Destination
Assuming you don't speak Mandarin, it is essential that you have your destination written down in Chinese.
Sound complicated?lol比赛回放 It isn't.
First, most large hotels have a convenient "taxi card" for you to take with as you step out the door. In large cities, these cards have the hotel (so you can get back) written on one side and usually 10-15 tourist destinations on the other side.
If the card doesn't have where you want to go, simply ask the concierge to write it down for you. This is common practice so don't feel like it's a strange request.Usually the hotel staff flagging the taxi will also tell the taxi where you want to go.
Flagging a Taxi on the Street
If you are trying to get a taxi from the street (not outside a hotel with a taxi queue), this can be frustrating. People will come stand in front of you and take "your" taxi and taxis with lights on will driver right past.
You need to be patientwhen you do this thing.
Conversing with the Driver
The driver won't expect you to speak fluently but a friendly ni hao, "nee how", meaning "hello" is always nice.
Don't be surprised if the driver looks at your destination written down and hands it back to you with silence or merely a nod.
Paying the Fare
It's best to keep small bills with you for taxi fares as many drivers won't have change for the large bills (100RMB) you'll get out of an ATM. For instance, the base fare in Shanghai is a mere 14rmb and that gets you quite far.
If the driver doesn't use the meter, you should insist that he stop and get another taxi.
Do I Tip the Driver?
Happily, no!lol皮肤购买 Tipping is generally not something you need to worry about in China. Taxi drivers certainly don't expect it and wouldn't know what you were intending.
They'd probably get out of the car to hand you back your change.=)
Get and Keep the Receipt
After you pay the fare, wait for the receipt to print and take it with you. This has the taxi's number so if you have any complaints, or happen to forget something in the car, you can call the central number to report it.
This can be convenient for forgotten purchases in the trunk.
Use Ride-hailing App
Nowadays, Didi Chuxing(滴滴出行) launched a bilingual version of its app in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, catering to foreigners with an English interface.
Since then, it will be much more convenient for expats to get ride-hailing service in China!!!
If you want to know how to use it, please check the link below.
English Ride-hailing App Available For Expats Now!
Mandarin Taxi Vocabulary
Ni qu na li?(pronounced nee chew nah lee?) =Where are you going?
Wo qu ...(pronounced woh chew ...) =I am going to ...
Zhe li hao de(pronounced juh lee how duh) =Stopping here is fine.
Ting! =Stop!
You guai(pronounced yoh gwai) =Turn right.
Zuo guai(pronounced zoh gwai) =Turn left.
Yi zhi zou(pronounced ee zheh zoh) =Go straight.
Xian jin(pronounced shen jeen)=I pay with cash.
Xie xie(pronounced shay shay) =Thank you.
Zai jian(pronounced zye jee-ahn) =Good bye.
Source: keytomainland
有话要说...