ByChow.
Independent China travel checklist · Item 5/6

How to rent a shared bike in China

Walking (City Walk) and the metro are great ways to explore China, but shared bikes (Bike-sharing) are the real "secret weapon": they take you down narrow lanes, around beautiful lakes and to local eateries hidden deep in residential areas.

In most big Chinese cities you will see thousands of colourful bikes lined up along the streets. International visitors can rent one and ride around easily with just a phone that has Alipay, without a Chinese phone number.

ChowWritten by Chow · Updated 11/2026 · 6 min read

1. What kinds of shared bikes are there in China?

Around cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou or Chengdu you will see 3 big bike-sharing brands, each with its own colour:

Shared bikes in China: yellow Meituan, blue Hello and teal DiDi Qingju bikes parked on the pavement
Yellow Meituan, blue Hello and teal DiDi Qingju bikes parked right on the pavement
  1. Hello Bike (blue / 哈啰单车): The most common and easiest for foreigners, as it belongs to Ant Group (Alipay's parent company). It is built right into the Alipay interface.
  2. Meituan Bike (yellow / 美团单车): Formerly Mobike, with very dense coverage around metro stations and shopping malls. You can unlock it through the Meituan mini-app inside Alipay.
  3. DiDi Qingju (teal green / 青桔单车): Part of the DiDi ride-hailing app; the bikes are usually newer, light and smooth to pedal.

By type of drive

  1. Regular pedal bikes: Fully pedal-powered, the most common on the streets, the simplest for international visitors to rent and very cheap.
  2. Pedal-assist e-bikes: Bigger frame, a battery box low on the frame and a small number plate at the back. They are effortless to ride, but often require extra verification such as a licence or a Chinese ID, and their allowed riding area is much smaller than for regular bikes. E-bikes usually also ask you to pay a deposit, which is refunded when you return the bike.

2. What you need before renting

To unlock a bike on the first try, make sure of the following:

  1. An Alipay account with identity verified (Real-name Verification): Finish scanning your passport details in Alipay.
  2. An international card linked: A Visa or Mastercard issued in Vietnam successfully linked to pay the fare.
  3. 4G/eSIM and GPS turned on: Location must be on and accurate so the app can recognise parking areas and the scan works smoothly.

See also: 7 apps to download for a trip to China

3. Step by step: renting a bike with Alipay

  1. 1
    Quick check of the bike: Spend about 10 seconds testing the brakes, checking the tyres for low pressure or punctures, looking at the pedals and chain, and adjusting the seat height before you scan.
  2. 2
    Scan the QR code on the bike: Open Alipay, tap Scan at the top left (or go to Transport > the Bike tab) and point the camera at the QR code in the middle of the handlebar or on the rear mudguard.
    The Scan button at the top left of the Alipay home screen, used to scan and unlock a shared bike
    Tap Scan at the top left of Alipay, then scan the QR code on the bike
  3. 3
    Confirm to unlock: Tap Agree / Confirm when asked to accept the terms of service (first time only), then wait 2 to 3 seconds for the rear lock to pop open with a voice prompt, and you can ride off.
  4. 4
    Return the bike properly:
  5. Look for areas marked with white P lines or designated bike parking boxes on the pavement.
  6. With a mechanical lock, push the lock lever on the rear wheel down by hand until you hear a "click". With an electronic lock, park the bike upright on its stand inside the box and tap End Trip in Alipay so the lock closes.
  7. The app will show that the trip is finished and charge your linked card automatically.

See also: How to pay in China

4. How much it costs

  1. Pay per ride: Very cheap, usually from 1.5 yuan for the first 15 minutes (about 6,000 VND), then usually 1 yuan more for each additional 15 minutes.
  2. Weekly / monthly pass (Cycling Pass): If you stay in a city for 4 days or more and ride a lot, go to Bike in Alipay to buy a day pass (1-Day, 7-Day Pass). A weekly pass usually costs only about 10 to 15 yuan (about 40,000 to 59,000 VND) for unlimited rides (each under 120 minutes).

5. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can one Alipay account unlock 2 bikes at once for 2 people?

No. Each payment account can only unlock one bike at a time. If you travel in a group or as a pair, everyone needs their own verified Alipay account to scan their own bike.

    What if I unlock a bike with a broken chain or bad brakes?

    Lock the bike again right away within the first 1 to 2 minutes. Then tap Report Fault in the app and choose the problem. The system cancels the trip immediately and does not charge you for that ride.

      Can I return the bike if my phone has no signal or no 4G data?

      Without a connection, the app cannot sync your GPS location to confirm you parked in the right place and close the fare. So make sure your eSIM or travel SIM has a stable data allowance throughout your trip.

        Chow's note: Essential tips to avoid fines:

        • Never park outside the allowed area (No-parking Zone):On the map in the app while you ride, no-parking areas are shaded red or grey. If you lock the bike in a no-parking spot or outside the company's service area, the system automatically charges a dispatch fee (Dispatch Fee) of 5 to 20 yuan to your card.
        • City terrain:Check the terrain before you decide to rent. Flat cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou are perfect for cycling. In contrast, in hilly cities full of steep slopes and overpasses like Chongqing, you will see no shared bikes on the streets at all.
        • Rules of the road:Always ride in the lane for non-motorised vehicles/bikes (usually next to the pavement, to the right of the car lanes). Do not ride on crowded pedestrian pavements, against traffic, or carry anyone in the front basket.
        ByChow.
        Checklist · Item 5/6

        How to rent a shared bike in China

        Walking (City Walk) and the metro are great ways to explore China, but shared bikes (Bike-sharing) are the real "secret weapon": they take you down narrow lanes, around beautiful lakes and to local eateries hidden deep in residential areas.

        In most big Chinese cities you will see thousands of colourful bikes lined up along the streets. International visitors can rent one and ride around easily with just a phone that has Alipay, without a Chinese phone number.

        ChowWritten by Chow · Updated 11/2026 · 6 min read

        1. What kinds of shared bikes are there in China?

        Around cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou or Chengdu you will see 3 big bike-sharing brands, each with its own colour:

        Shared bikes in China: yellow Meituan, blue Hello and teal DiDi Qingju bikes parked on the pavement
        Yellow Meituan, blue Hello and teal DiDi Qingju bikes parked right on the pavement
        1. Hello Bike (blue / 哈啰单车): The most common and easiest for foreigners, as it belongs to Ant Group (Alipay's parent company). It is built right into the Alipay interface.
        2. Meituan Bike (yellow / 美团单车): Formerly Mobike, with very dense coverage around metro stations and shopping malls. You can unlock it through the Meituan mini-app inside Alipay.
        3. DiDi Qingju (teal green / 青桔单车): Part of the DiDi ride-hailing app; the bikes are usually newer, light and smooth to pedal.

        By type of drive

        1. Regular pedal bikes: Fully pedal-powered, the most common on the streets, the simplest for international visitors to rent and very cheap.
        2. Pedal-assist e-bikes: Bigger frame, a battery box low on the frame and a small number plate at the back. They are effortless to ride, but often require extra verification such as a licence or a Chinese ID, and their allowed riding area is much smaller than for regular bikes. E-bikes usually also ask you to pay a deposit, which is refunded when you return the bike.

        2. What you need before renting

        To unlock a bike on the first try, make sure of the following:

        1. An Alipay account with identity verified (Real-name Verification): Finish scanning your passport details in Alipay.
        2. An international card linked: A Visa or Mastercard issued in Vietnam successfully linked to pay the fare.
        3. 4G/eSIM and GPS turned on: Location must be on and accurate so the app can recognise parking areas and the scan works smoothly.

        See also: 7 apps to download for a trip to China

        3. Step by step: renting a bike with Alipay

        1. 1
          Quick check of the bike: Spend about 10 seconds testing the brakes, checking the tyres for low pressure or punctures, looking at the pedals and chain, and adjusting the seat height before you scan.
        2. 2
          Scan the QR code on the bike: Open Alipay, tap Scan at the top left (or go to Transport > the Bike tab) and point the camera at the QR code in the middle of the handlebar or on the rear mudguard.
          The Scan button at the top left of the Alipay home screen, used to scan and unlock a shared bike
          Tap Scan at the top left of Alipay, then scan the QR code on the bike
        3. 3
          Confirm to unlock: Tap Agree / Confirm when asked to accept the terms of service (first time only), then wait 2 to 3 seconds for the rear lock to pop open with a voice prompt, and you can ride off.
        4. 4
          Return the bike properly:
        5. Look for areas marked with white P lines or designated bike parking boxes on the pavement.
        6. With a mechanical lock, push the lock lever on the rear wheel down by hand until you hear a "click". With an electronic lock, park the bike upright on its stand inside the box and tap End Trip in Alipay so the lock closes.
        7. The app will show that the trip is finished and charge your linked card automatically.

        See also: How to pay in China

        4. How much it costs

        1. Pay per ride: Very cheap, usually from 1.5 yuan for the first 15 minutes (about 6,000 VND), then usually 1 yuan more for each additional 15 minutes.
        2. Weekly / monthly pass (Cycling Pass): If you stay in a city for 4 days or more and ride a lot, go to Bike in Alipay to buy a day pass (1-Day, 7-Day Pass). A weekly pass usually costs only about 10 to 15 yuan (about 40,000 to 59,000 VND) for unlimited rides (each under 120 minutes).

        5. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

        Can one Alipay account unlock 2 bikes at once for 2 people?

        No. Each payment account can only unlock one bike at a time. If you travel in a group or as a pair, everyone needs their own verified Alipay account to scan their own bike.

          What if I unlock a bike with a broken chain or bad brakes?

          Lock the bike again right away within the first 1 to 2 minutes. Then tap Report Fault in the app and choose the problem. The system cancels the trip immediately and does not charge you for that ride.

            Can I return the bike if my phone has no signal or no 4G data?

            Without a connection, the app cannot sync your GPS location to confirm you parked in the right place and close the fare. So make sure your eSIM or travel SIM has a stable data allowance throughout your trip.

              Chow's note: Essential tips to avoid fines:

              • Never park outside the allowed area (No-parking Zone):On the map in the app while you ride, no-parking areas are shaded red or grey. If you lock the bike in a no-parking spot or outside the company's service area, the system automatically charges a dispatch fee (Dispatch Fee) of 5 to 20 yuan to your card.
              • City terrain:Check the terrain before you decide to rent. Flat cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou are perfect for cycling. In contrast, in hilly cities full of steep slopes and overpasses like Chongqing, you will see no shared bikes on the streets at all.
              • Rules of the road:Always ride in the lane for non-motorised vehicles/bikes (usually next to the pavement, to the right of the car lanes). Do not ride on crowded pedestrian pavements, against traffic, or carry anyone in the front basket.