Which map app to use in China: Amap (高德地图), Baidu Maps (百度地图) and more

Why Google Maps is unreliable in mainland China

Google Maps often fails to open or loads slowly on mainland networks, and even when it opens, its data for China can be outdated or slightly offset, because China uses a shifted coordinate system. A pin may sit a short distance from the real road.

That does not mean abandoning the map you know, but you should install a China-based map app as your main tool, such as Amap or Baidu Maps, and keep Google Maps only as a bonus when it happens to open.

Amap (高德地图): the main choice for visitors

Amap, also called Gaode (高德地图), is the most popular map app in China, covering walking, driving, metro, bus and ride booking. Whether an English interface is available, and how complete it is, depends on the version and device, so check in the app before you go.

iPhone users should know that Apple Maps in mainland China uses map data from Amap, so it is a built-in option that is usually more accurate there than Google Maps.

Amap also shows nearby restaurants, sights, toilets and convenience stores. Search 地铁站 (metro station) or 厕所 (toilet) when you need the closest one, and check the walking distance before deciding whether to walk or call a ride.

Big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu have dense metro networks. Amap shows transfers and station exits, which helps a lot in large, confusing stations. If direction is unclear, match the terminus station name shown on the platform signs with the one in the app.

If you visit several cities, download each city's offline map separately and open it once on Wi-Fi to confirm the data is complete before you board a flight or high-speed train.

Baidu Maps (百度地图)

Baidu Maps is the other major app, with solid place and route detail. The limits for foreigners are that much of the interface is Chinese and some functions may need an account or a Chinese number. Check the current options in the app.

Searching in Chinese and pinyin

• Chinese characters give the most accurate results, such as 故宫 or 西湖.
• Pinyin such as Gugong or Xihu works in many cases, but results are not always exact.
• Some common English names may not match; try the Chinese name from your hotel or ticket.
• Make sure the city is right, since names repeat across cities.

When asking a local for directions, show the map screen with the Chinese place name instead of speaking. People usually find it easier to point the way when they see familiar characters. Carry a power bank too, since continuous navigation drains the battery quickly.

Saving your hotel address in Chinese

Before you leave, copy the hotel name and address in Chinese from your booking, save it as a note, and star it in Amap. When you head back late at night, you open the favourite and tap navigate, or show the screen to a driver.

Transit, walking and metro QR codes

1. 1Choose transit modeEnter the destination, pick the metro/bus tab and read the line number and station exit.
2. 2Note the station exitLarge stations have many exits by letter or number; pick the one nearest your destination to avoid a long walk.
3. 3Use a metro QR code where supportedMany cities let you scan a code through Alipay, WeChat or the transit app. Check your city supports it and set it up before the trip.
4. 4Follow the walking route in stagesTurn on the compass and follow the arrow; if GPS drifts between tall buildings, step into the open.

Offline maps and data use

Offline maps help when the signal is weak, such as deep in the metro, in rural areas or on mountains. Download the maps of the cities you will visit on Wi-Fi before you leave. Live navigation still needs mobile data. A travel eSIM that routes through a gateway outside the mainland usually lets most apps open, but nobody can guarantee every app on every network, so test before you rely on it and keep the Thai SIM on for OTPs.

For a rough feel of map data use, see the guide on how much data Google Maps uses, which is a reasonable guide for map apps generally, and the offline maps guide for more on saving maps.

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