As of 2025, taxi starting fares are higher than in the past — Beijing's meter, for example, starts at 13 yuan for the first 3 km — and in most Chinese cities, flagging a taxi on the street has largely been replaced by ride-hailing apps like Didi (China's equivalent of Uber), which show the fare upfront. Always make sure the driver starts the meter. To hail a taxi, simply stand at the roadside and flag down an empty one (identifiable by a small illuminated sign in the windshield).
Taxi drivers in China, even in Beijing, rarely speak English, so if you don't speak Chinese it's a good idea to have your destination written out in Chinese characters beforehand — your hotel can help with this.
