Do you know how to use maps in China to freely explore attractive tourist attractions, what map app to use in china? Let’s explore 5 useful Chinese map apps and best map apps in China including best english map app for china, best map app for China in english, best Chinese map app in english, alternative google maps in China for First-Time Travelers that compiled by Klook!
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When traveling to China, with a large transportation system and sometimes language barriers, maps will help your trip go more smoothly. Whether visiting tourist attractions in the city or exploring beautiful ancient towns, maps will be a powerful support tool. So how to use maps in China? Which map apps should you install? Let’s explore now!
Can Google Maps App Be Used in China?
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Due to China’s internet control policy (Great Firewall), Google services including Google Maps are blocked and cannot be used directly in this country. This is unfortunate because Google Maps is a familiar map application that helps you look up directions, find locations and get traffic directions quickly.
If you want to use Google Maps when traveling to China, you need to buy a Chinese and Macau eSIM, a Chinese 4G SIM or install a VPN. VPN is an application that helps you bypass the internet firewall by changing your IP address. To use VPN, you just need to choose and download the appropriate VPN to your device, register for the appropriate package and use it to access Google Maps.
Compilation of the Best Map Applications in China
If your SIM does not support bypassing the firewall or you are not used to using VPN, don’t worry. Domestic Chinese map applications such as Baidu Maps, Amap, Tencent Maps, Apple Maps, or Maps.Me all provide detailed data and good directions.
| Application | Advantage | Disadvantage | Suitable user |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baidu Maps | The most detailed map in China, providing comprehensive information on transportation, locations and services. | Chinese interface, no English support, need Chinese phone number to login | Domestic users, tourists in China, people who need to find places and use public transportation. |
| Amap (Gaode Maps) | Accurate traffic data, fast updates, well integrated with Alibaba ecosystem such as Alipay and Taobao. | The interface is mainly in Chinese. | People who travel frequently in the city, drivers, people who use Alibaba services. |
| Tencent Maps | Integrated with WeChat and QQ, easy location sharing, support many convenient services. | Restrict external data to less popular regions, Chinese language only. | WeChat users, domestic travelers, groups of friends who need to share location and route. |
| Apple Maps | Friendly interface, good English support, high security, no personal data collection. | Data quality is worse than Baidu Maps and Amap in China. | iPhone users, international travelers, privacy-conscious people. |
| http://maps.me/ | Works well offline, suitable for travel, free, easy to use, can import KML data. | No real-time traffic updates, need to pre-load maps, and drains battery fast. | Foreign tourists, trekkers, backpackers and people who like to explore new places with limited phone signal and WiFi. |
Best map apps in China : Baidu Maps – China’s Leading Map App
Baidu Maps is one of the most popular map apps in China, offering a variety of useful features to help you navigate easily. If you are traveling to China, this will be a great tool to find your way, look up information and explore interesting places.
Advantages of Baidu Maps
The advantage of Baidu Maps over other map apps is the ability to provide detailed information in most areas in China, along with a variety of integrated features and services.
- Baidu Maps provides detailed data across China, from major cities to remote rural areas. The app supports directions by car, motorbike, bicycle and public transport.
- You can use Baidu Maps to book a taxi, find parking, look up weather, air quality and even order food. This makes your trip more convenient.
- Baidu Maps connects with platforms such as Baidu Search, Baidu Travel and Baidu Wallet, helping you look up information, book hotels or make payments easily right on the application.
Disadvantages of Baidu Maps
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Despite its many advantages, Baidu Maps still has some limitations that you need to be aware of, such as language restrictions and China’s internet censorship policies.
- Some areas or locations may display incomplete information due to data control policies in China.
- The application interface is entirely in Chinese, making it difficult if you do not know Chinese.
How to Install and Use Baidu Maps
To use Baidu Maps, you just need to search for the application on your phone or computer, download it and use it to look up locations, view directions, track traffic conditions and explore other utilities. Specifically, the steps to install and use Baidu Maps are as follows:
- Step 1: Visit the official website map.baidu.com or search for “Baidu Maps” on the app stores.
- Step 2: Download and install the application. If you are in China, you can scan the QR code on the website to download faster.
- Step 3: Enter the name, address or keyword in the search bar. You can also use your voice or scan the QR code to look up information.
Apple Maps Application for iPhone
If you are an iPhone user or an Apple product user, you can take advantage of Apple Maps to use when traveling in China. For international travelers, this is a convenient option that helps you not worry about language issues when looking up destinations or looking up directions in cities.
Advantages of Apple Maps
Although there are many domestic map applications such as Baidu Maps or Amap, Apple Maps still has certain advantages for iPhone users.
- Apple Maps in China uses data from Gaode Maps, one of the largest and most trusted map services in the country, ensuring high navigation accuracy.
- Apple Maps in China does not require signing in with an Apple ID; instead, the app uses random identifiers, which helps protect users’ personal information.
Disadvantages of Apple Maps
Apple Maps is only for the Apple ecosystem, which is inconvenient if you use a non-Apple device.
Compared to Baidu, Apple Maps is still more limited in its ability to provide detailed location and traffic information in some areas, especially rural areas.
How to Install and Use Apple Maps
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Apple Maps is pre-installed on iPhone, iPad and Mac, allowing you to use it right away without having to download additional applications. Here are the basic instructions:
- On your Apple device, search for the “Maps” app and open it.
- Enter the address, place name in the search bar or use Siri to request voice navigation.
Best alternative Google Maps in China: Amap Map App in China
Along with Baidu Map, Amap (or Gaode Maps) is the most popular map app in China, developed by AutoNavi, a subsidiary of Alibaba Group. Using China’s BeiDou satellite navigation system, Amap provides accurate navigation, real-time traffic updates, and supports multiple modes of transportation. This app is especially useful for both locals and tourists when exploring major cities.
Advantages of Amap App
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Amap not only provides detailed maps but also integrates many smart travel support features. Some highlights include:
- By using the BeiDou system, Amap is capable of determining locations with high accuracy, live traffic conditions help users avoid traffic jams and find the fastest route.
- Amap displays subway maps, bus schedules and station arrival times, which is very useful for first-time visitors to China.
- The app allows direct booking of cars, displays prices and supplier information, providing a more convenient experience.
Disadvantages of Amap App
Despite its many excellent features, Amap still has some limitations that users should note:
- The app does not have an English version, making it difficult for people who do not know Chinese.
- Some features, such as searching for restaurants or booking cars, are mainly linked to Alibaba’s ecosystem, which may not be suitable for international users.
How to Install and Use Amap
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Amap can be easily installed on mobile devices running iOS and Android. Here are the basic steps:
- Search for “高德地图” (Gaode Ditu) on the App Store or Google Play and download it.
Open the app and grant location permissions to get accurate directions. - Enter the address or place name in English or Chinese in the search bar. If you are going to an area without internet, download the map in advance for use when needed.
What map app to use in China: China Map App Tencent Maps
If you are traveling in a large group, Tencent Maps will be the right app for you. This map app stands out for its accurate navigation and convenient social features. Not only does it support finding directions, the app also allows users to share their location and itinerary with friends or family, making group travel easier.
Advantages of Tencent Maps
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Tencent Maps offers many outstanding features to improve the experience of navigating and exploring the city. Some of the strengths include:
- The application integrates with Wechat, making it easy for users to use, search for locations, and save favorite locations.
- Tencent Maps provides optimal routes based on current traffic conditions, supporting walking, driving, and public transportation.
- The application integrates information about bus routes, subways, and train schedules, making it easy for users to plan their trips.
- Users can download maps to use without an internet connection, which is suitable when traveling to areas with weak signal.
The Disadvantages of Tencent Maps
Despite its many advantages, Tencent Maps still has certain limitations, especially for international users.
- The application mainly supports Chinese, making it difficult for those who do not know this language.
- Some remote areas may not have detailed maps or the data is not fully updated.
How to Install and Use Tencent Maps
Tencent Maps can be easily installed on both iOS and Android. To use the application effectively, users need to do the following steps:
- Search for “腾讯地图” (Tencent Ditu) on the App Store or Google Play and download.
- The application requires location permission to provide directions and real-time traffic updates.
- Enter the address or place name in Chinese to see the detailed route. You can choose between driving, walking or public transport to get suitable route suggestions.
Maps.Me – Free Offline Maps for Travelers
With over 50 million downloads, Maps.Me has become a popular choice for those who love to travel and explore. Maps.Me is a free map application that supports navigation without an internet connection, helping users to easily move around even in areas with weak signal. Not only does this app provide detailed maps, it also integrates many useful features such as searching for locations, booking hotels, tracking traffic, and even calling an Uber directly from the app.
Advantages of Maps.Me
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Maps.Me is not only strong in offline usability, but also has many useful features that make traveling more convenient.
- Maps.Me allows users to download maps of entire countries or specific regions for use without internet. This is especially useful when traveling or exploring in places with poor connectivity.
- Thanks to data from OpenStreetMap, the app provides a lot of information about restaurants, cafes, ATMs, gas stations, and tourist attractions. Users can search for locations based on reviews from the community.
- Users can mark important locations, save them for reference or share with friends.
Disadvantages of Maps.Me
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In addition to the advantages, Maps.Me still has some limitations that users need to note.
- Continuous navigation mode can reduce battery life, especially when traveling long distances or climbing mountains without a power source.
- Because it depends on data from OpenStreetMap, the level of map detail may vary depending on the area, especially in areas with few people updating.
- Although it has a metro line display feature, Maps.Me does not support detailed bus information or public transport schedules in many cities.
Notes to Know When Using Maps in China
The map system in China has many differences compared to other countries, so looking up and locating is not always easy. To travel smoothly, you need to note some important things as follows:
- Prepare map applications before departure: Since Google Play is blocked in China, it is necessary to pre-download map applications such as Baidu Maps, Amap or Tencent Maps. If you want to use Google Maps, users need a VPN to access.
- Note on map accuracy: Some locations may be displayed incorrectly or not appear due to data control policies. This situation is common on international applications such as Apple Maps, so domestic maps will support more accurate positioning.
- Pre-download offline maps: Saving offline maps helps save mobile data and ensures that you can look up even when there is no internet connection. Maps.Me is a good choice for viewing maps without the network.
- Check street names with Google Maps: Most map applications in China display place names in Chinese. Meanwhile, Google Maps supports street names in English and pinyin, making it easier to look up information.
- Using Street View of domestic apps: Baidu Maps, Amap and Tencent Maps are the only apps that have Street View in China. Thanks to that, users can determine the actual location more intuitively and accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions When Using Maps in China
How to locate when there is no network in China?
To locate without the internet, it is recommended to download offline maps in advance from apps like Maps.Me, Baidu Maps or Amap. In addition, turning on GPS on the phone can still help determine the current location even without a network connection.
What is the difference between Baidu Maps and Google Maps?
Baidu Maps and Google Maps differ mainly in their ability to operate and accuracy in China. Google Maps is restricted in China and requires a VPN to access, while Baidu Maps works stably with more accurate local data. Baidu Maps also supports detailed traffic information, Street View, and better domestic location searches, but it is mainly displayed in Chinese.
How to read subway maps in China?
It is recommended to use MetroMan or Baidu Maps to look up subway routes. These apps display a train network map, help find the right route, and provide detailed route directions, including travel time and number of transfers.
How to look up a location when you don’t know Chinese?
To look up a location when you don’t know Chinese, use Google Translate to translate the location name into Chinese, then search on the map app. Alternatively, you can ask hotel staff or local people who know English.
How to call a taxi or find transportation using the map app?
To book a taxi and find transportation around, use the Amap and Baidu Maps apps with built-in taxi calling features, or book a car through the Didi app.
Whether you want to explore the bustling cities or visit the peaceful villages in China, maps will always be a great help to help you move conveniently, avoid getting lost and save time. Remember to download offline maps, familiarize yourself with Chinese map apps, and prepare useful search tips to make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.
Pocket your map usage tips in China and get ready to explore beautiful destinations!
Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Shanghai you can refer to
- Shanghai Museum Half Day Tour
- Shanghai Disneyland Admission Ticket
- Huangpu River Cruise（Qingjiang Line）
- Yu Garden Admission Ticket in Shanghai
- Shanghai Tower 118th Floor Observation Deck Ticket
- Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park Ticket
- [World Highest Skywalk] Shanghai Jin Mao Tower 88th Floor Exclusive Skywalk Experience
- Oriental Pearl Tower
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- 4G WiFi (HK Airport Pick Up) for Hong Kong/Macau/China (No Speed Limited) from Song WiFi
Read more: Shanghai travel blog — The fullest Shanghai travel guide for first-timers.
