How to Use Bike-sharing Apps in China as Foreigners: Yellow, Blue, Green

Introduction:

As a foreigner traveling or doing business in China, using bike-sharing services and mobile payments is a necessity. In major cities like Shanghai Beijing and Shenzhen, bike-sharing services are the preferred mode of daily transportation due to their convenience and eco-friendliness. The yellow Meituan bikes, blue Hello bikes and Green DiDi Qingju bikes are especially common. However, for first-time visitors, using these bike-sharing apps in China can be a challenge. For instance, if you’re in China for business and need to walk 30 minutes from the subway to a client’s office, renting a shared bike is the quickest way to save time and arrive on time. Similarly, if you’re traveling and the destination isn’t accessible by subway, a shared bike is a quick and convenient option to explore the city. This guide will detail how to quickly use Meituan, Hello biker, DiDi Qingju bike-sharing apps in China, and how to pay with international bank cards using Alipay and WeChat Pay. Whether for short-term travel or long-term stay, this guide will help you navigate transportation and payments in China, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey.

Bike-sharing Apps in China: Meituan Bike (Yellow), Hello Bike (Blue) and DiDi Qingju Bike (Green)

Meituan Bike is one of China’s leading bike-sharing brands, operated by Meituan. Meituan, a renowned internet technology company established in 2010 and headquartered in Beijing, offers a range of services including food delivery, ride-hailing, and hotel bookings. Meituan Bike, previously known as Mobike, was acquired by Meituan for $2.7 billion in 2018 and rebranded in 2019. Mobike was one of the earliest and largest bike-sharing brands in China, known for its orange bikes.

Hello Bike (Hello) is another well-known bike-sharing brand, operated by Shanghai Hello Chuxing Technology Co., Ltd. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Shanghai, Hello Bike offers shared bikes, e-bikes, and car-sharing services.

DiDi Qingju Bike is the bike-sharing service operated by DiDi, a leading transportation platform in China. DiDi offers a wide range of services, including ride-hailing, taxi services, and bike-sharing. Qingju Bike is known for its green bikes and is integrated into the DiDi app.

For foreigners, using these bike-sharing apps in China is very convenient. Here are the detailed steps to use these three bike-sharing services, especially how to verify your identity with an international phone number and passport.

1. Download the relevant apps:
   • Go to the App Store or Google Play and download the “Meituan” app or the “Hello Chuxing” app, or the “DiDi” app.
   • After opening the app, if it supports multiple languages, you can go to the “Me” page, find “Settings,” and select the language.
2. Register and log in:
   • Use your international phone number to register and log in. This means you can use your international phone number even without a Chinese mainland number.
3. Identity verification:
   • Use your passport for identity verification. You need to upload a photo of your passport within the app for verification.
4. Bind your payment method:
   • You can bind an international credit or debit card. All three apps support payments via Alipay and WeChat Pay.
5. Renting and using the bikes:
   • Open the app, find the “Ride” or “Shared Bike” option, and view the nearby available bikes. After finding a bike, scan the QR code on the bike with the app to unlock it.
   • Once unlocked, you can start riding. After use, park the bike in a designated area and manually lock it. The app will automatically calculate the fee.

Tips: Key Considerations

• International Phone Numbers: All three apps allow registration and verification with international phone numbers, as long as the number can receive SMS verification codes.
• Observe Local Traffic Rules and Parking Regulations: To avoid unnecessary fines.
• Payment Limits: Foreign tourists may encounter transaction limits when using international cards, such as a single transaction limit of RMB 6000 and a monthly cumulative limit of RMB 50,000.
• Other Functions: Certain features like red envelopes (hongbao) and transfers may not be supported for international cards, and usage may be limited to daily transactions.

Bike-sharing Apps in China: Using Alipay and WeChat Pay

Since July 2023, Alipay and WeChat Pay have started supporting the binding of international credit and debit cards, making daily payments in China more convenient for foreign tourists. You can register using your international phone number without needing a Chinese mainland number.

Using Alipay:

1. Download and install the Alipay app:
   • Download the “Alipay” app from the App Store or Google Play.
   • Register and log in using your international phone number.
2. Identity verification and binding payment methods:
   • Verify your identity by uploading your passport and performing a facial recognition check.
   • Bind your international credit or debit card; Alipay supports Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, and more.
3. Payment methods:
   • You can pay by scanning the merchant’s QR code or letting the merchant scan your Alipay QR code.

Using WeChat Pay:

1. Download and install the WeChat app:
   • Download the “WeChat” app from the App Store or Google Play.
   • Register and log in using your international phone number.
2. Identity verification and binding payment methods:
   • Verify your identity by uploading your passport.
   • Bind your international credit or debit card; WeChat Pay supports Visa, Mastercard, JCB, etc.

Tips:

1. Prepare your international credit or debit card in advance.
2. Ensure your phone can receive international SMS verification.
3. Familiarize yourself with the Alipay and WeChat Pay interfaces, using translation software if necessary.

Bike-sharing Apps in China: Tips and Common Issues

1. Peak Hour Usage Strategy: During rush hours, there might be a shortage of shared bikes. It’s advisable to plan your riding route in advance and choose parking spots a bit further away to increase the chances of finding a bike.
2. Choosing Electric Bikes: If you have a long ride, consider using Hello’s electric bike service to reduce physical exertion, especially in hot summer or cold winter.
3. Parking Tips: After use, make sure to park the bike in designated areas to avoid fines. The Hello Bike, Meituan Bike, and DiDi apps all have maps showing parking spots, so it’s good to check before you start your ride.

Common Issues:

1. Bike Unlocking Problems:
   • If you encounter issues with unlocking a bike, first ensure your network connection is stable. Try restarting the app or your phone and scan the QR code again. If the problem persists, use the in-app customer service feature for assistance.
2. Payment Issues:
   • If your international credit card cannot process payments, check if it supports Alipay or WeChat Pay. If issues continue, contact your card issuer or use the in-app customer service.
3. Language Barriers:
   • Although most apps support multiple languages, you might still face language barriers. Using translation software or asking local people for help can be useful.

Eco-friendly Travel Suggestions:

1. Green Travel:
   • Using shared bikes helps reduce carbon emissions and alleviate urban traffic pressure. Promote green travel by setting an example yourself.
2. Riding Safety:
   • Always follow traffic rules, wear a helmet, and ensure your safety while riding. Avoid using headphones to listen to music to stay alert.

Using a Chinese Phone Number for Convenience

As a foreigner in China, if you have purchased a Chinese mobile phone number and completed the verification, it will significantly enhance the ease of using bike-sharing services and mobile payments. Here are the detailed steps:

Registering and Verifying with a Chinese Phone Number

1. Download the Relevant Apps:
   • Go to the App Store or Google Play and download the “Meituan” app, the “Hello Bike” app and Didi app.
   • After opening the app, if it supports multiple languages, you can go to the “Me” page, find “Settings,” and select the language.
2. Register and Log In:
   • Use your Chinese mobile phone number to register and log in. This simplifies the verification process and provides a smoother user experience.
3. Identity Verification:
   • Use your Chinese mobile phone number for identity verification. Upload a photo of your passport for verification and bind a Chinese payment method such as Alipay or WeChat Pay.
4. Binding Payment Methods:
   • Bind a Chinese bank card or payment account. This avoids international card payment restrictions and high fees.
5. Renting and Using the Bikes:
   • Open the app, find the “Ride” or “Shared Bike” option, and view the nearby available bikes. After finding a bike, scan the QR code on the bike with the app to unlock it.
   • Once unlocked, you can start riding. After use, park the bike in a designated area and manually lock it. The app will automatically calculate the fee.

Additional Convenience and Tips

1. Faster Identity Verification:
   • Using a Chinese mobile phone number for identity verification is typically much faster than using an international number, as the system directly recognizes local numbers.
2. Lower Payment Costs:
   • Binding a Chinese payment method such as Alipay or WeChat Pay avoids international card payment restrictions and high fees, offering lower payment costs and higher success rates.
3. Local Service Support:
   • Registering with a Chinese mobile phone number allows you to enjoy more comprehensive local service support, including faster customer service response and local promotions.

Conclusion:

As the market develops and user needs change, the bike-sharing industry has also undergone significant transformations. Meituan Bike (yellow), Hello Bike (blue), and Qingju Bike (green) have become major players in the market, each brand attracting users through innovative business models and technology.

With advancements in AI technology and adjustments in market strategies, today, foreigners can easily rent shared bikes using the Meituan app, Hello Bike app, DiDi app, Alipay, or WeChat Pay. These major Chinese bike-sharing services provide great convenience for foreign tourists and business travelers, making it easy to enjoy the mobility experience in China and solve any travel-related issues.

Oh, and by the way, today is Father’s Day. The best way to make a father happy is to ride Bike-sharing with his children and wife along the Huangpu River. It’s truly wonderful!