Can't Get a Didi? Try This, the Mother of All Car-Hailing Apps

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With the madness of the Spring Festival increasing by the day, the huge drop in population means that we may have to, god forbid, make some slight adjustments to the way we live and navigate this big city. Didis are currently harder to come by than a live music venue, with hiked-up prices and longer waiting lists due to many drivers heading elsewhere for the holidays.

Response time? Sometime this year would be nice!

Fear not, fellow Beijing homebodies, for we have a back-up solution should you find yourself stranded outside, freezing your butt off waiting for a taxi this break: the wonderful world of Amap.

A familiar sight in recent times versus a welcomed solution

Amap, or 高德 gāo dé, allows users to call cabs via multiple apps at the same time, including yangguang chuxing, shouqi yueche, AA chuxing and Caocao New Energy, therefore significantly increasing the likelihood of you actually getting one, and saves you from being stuck in a queue of 100-plus people. While the prices vary from service to service, you're looking at perhaps an extra RMB 15-20 for an inner-city ride that gets you home before the fireworks start kicking off as compared to Didi.

Like most map applications, it allows you to see which roads are chock-a-block

After downloading the Amap app from your store of choice, you will be met with a screen asking you if you more regularly call cabs or take public transport to get around (with an option to skip this step altogether in the top right). This will help the app automatically recommend routes based on your preferences. From then on in, Amap works pretty much like Didi, except it also serves as a map – a sort of Didi-Baidu Maps lovechild, if you will.

The easy interface makes the app simple to navigate, though you may need to input names in Chinese

To call a cab, enter your intended destination and select 打车 dǎchē. Then swipe the menu upwards and select as many of the car-hailing services as you want, before pressing the blue button at the bottom to call them. You can also select different types of cars with different prices, just as you can with Didi. And don't worry, the app will automatically select the optimal service for you, so you won't end up having six different annoyed shifu calling you at the same time. 

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Note that you will likely need to input your destination in Chinese (unless the name of the place is originally in English), so make sure you brush up on your Mandarin and get that Chinese keyboard out.

Amap continue the trend of app interaction by including WeChat Weibo and QQ as available log in options.

Before you call your first ride, you'll need to link a payment account, such as your WeChat. Hit the "我的" tab at the bottom, before pressing the empty profile icon (circled in red; left). Afterwards, it will take you to a login page where you can use a range of accounts to log in, including your phone number. Assuming most of you are not daily Weibo or QQ users, WeChat is the best option, so go ahead and hit the WeChat icon at the bottom of that login page (circled in red; right). Confirm your identity and then you're in and ready to pay for your trip.

Amap might get you on public transport more often than you think with their thorough directions

The comprehensive application also judges how long different modes of transportation will take, as well as the best route. All forms of public transport, plus cycling, scootering, motorcycling, walking, and even plane routes (should you be going further afield) are all included, complete with all available routes for each respective mode of transportation.

Don't be caught out in the cold looking for food this CNY

Additionally, not only will Amap help you get around town but it will also tell you what's nearby. Click the 附近 fùjìn tab at the bottom and you'll be presented with a list of categories, including restaurants (of course) as well as tourist sights, banks, and even public bathrooms.

Though the usefulness of the app will likely depend on your language level, Amap can be a gamechanger once you get the hang of it – add it to your arsenal and navigate your next year in Beijing with a little more ease.

Images: Didi, Amap

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