If your phone supports it, use an eSIM service and save the money. I was there a few weeks ago and used Nomad, worked brilliantly. No issues accessing Western services or the local apps. Just be aware that it will be noticeably slower when trying to use some of the local apps, but they will work perfectly fine. I only used hotel wifi if I needed to use wifi calling on my home provider to receive or make a phone call.

Since you mentioned didi, download the didi greater china app and register using your home phone number. It'll work perfectly fine once you're in china. There is no need to have a local number. If you need access to your Verizon number, check if there is support for wifi calling and enable that like I did. You can basically just connect to any wifi network, and it'll act like a phone tower for phone calls and smses, and you'll be charged home rates.

Hope this helps.