Choosing the right map apps for China is an important part of preparing for a trip. The mapping apps you normally use at home may not work in the way you expect in mainland China, and relying entirely on Google Maps can make navigation unnecessarily difficult.
For most travellers, the main map apps for China worth knowing about are Amap (Gaode Maps), Baidu Maps and Apple Maps. Each has different strengths, particularly when it comes to English-language support, public transport and finding local businesses.
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It is worth setting up more than one China map app before your trip. This gives you a backup if an app is difficult to use, a place cannot be found under its English name or your internet connection stops working.
What Is the Best China Map App?
For many international visitors, Amap, also known as Gaode Maps or 高德地图, is one of the most useful choices.
It is a major Chinese mapping and navigation service with detailed local information, public transport directions, walking routes and driving navigation.
English support has improved, making it more practical for international tourists than it once was. However, you can still encounter Chinese place names, interface elements or listings, so it helps to keep the Chinese name and address of important destinations saved separately.
iPhone users should also consider Apple Maps. It can be easier for English-speaking visitors to understand while still providing China-specific mapping data when used in mainland China.
Why Google Maps Is Not the Best Map App for China
Google Maps is familiar to many British and international travellers, but it should not be your only navigation tool in mainland China. Google services are restricted in mainland China, and Google Maps does not provide the same reliable, up-to-date local experience that travellers may be used to in the UK, Europe or North America.
Business listings can be incomplete or outdated, public transport information may be less useful and access itself can depend on how you are connecting to the internet.
Even if Google Maps appears to work through international roaming or another connection, a Chinese mapping service is still useful as a backup because its local data is generally more relevant.
For your other trips outside of China, I recommend setting up Google Maps to use accessible routes and learning how to download maps for offline use.
Amap (Gaode Maps)
Amap is one of China’s major mapping services. Its Chinese name is 高德地图, and you may also see it referred to as Gaode Maps.
For travellers, its biggest advantage is the depth of local mapping information. It is designed for everyday navigation within China rather than as an international map with China added to it.
Amap can help with:
- Walking directions.
- Public transport routes.
- Metro navigation.
- Driving directions.
- Finding restaurants, attractions, hotels and shops.
- Checking routes between local destinations.
For a multi-city trip through mainland China, it is a strong app to have installed.
Is Amap Available in English?
Amap has expanded support for international users, including English-language functionality.
That makes it much more approachable for foreign visitors than a Chinese-only map interface. However, English support does not mean every local business, address or user-generated listing will appear in English.
Chinese names remain useful. Save the Chinese characters for your hotel, railway station and major attractions before travelling.
How to Search for Places in Amap
Try the English name first where supported. Major attractions and transport hubs are often easier to find than small local businesses.
If the result looks wrong or nothing appears, paste the Chinese name or address into the search box.
This is why copying the official Chinese address from your hotel booking, attraction website or another reliable source can be more useful than saving only an English transliteration.
Baidu Maps
Baidu Maps, or 百度地图, is another major Chinese mapping platform with extensive local data.
It can be very useful for finding places, checking detailed local maps and navigating Chinese cities. It is particularly valuable as a second map when you cannot find a destination in your primary app.
The main difficulty for many international tourists is language. Baidu Maps has historically been much more Chinese-focused than international travel apps, so visitors who cannot read Chinese may find it harder to navigate the interface.
Translation tools can help, but switching constantly between mapping and translation apps adds friction to a travel day.
Is Baidu Maps Available in English?
Do not choose Baidu Maps on the assumption that it will provide the same fully English experience as a mapping app designed primarily for international users.
Its usefulness is strongest when you can work with Chinese place names or are comfortable using translation tools.
For an English-speaking tourist who wants a straightforward primary map, Amap or Apple Maps may be easier. Baidu Maps can still be an excellent backup because of its detailed local coverage.
Apple Maps in China
For iPhone users, Apple Maps can be one of the easiest map app options in mainland China.
The familiar interface reduces the amount of learning required when you arrive, and it can provide directions and local mapping information without forcing you to navigate a primarily Chinese-language app.
This can be particularly helpful for a short trip where you do not want to spend time learning another mapping interface.
Keep a Chinese mapping app installed as a backup. Amap or Baidu may be more useful when searching for a smaller local venue or when you need to compare local route information.
Does Apple Maps Work in China?
Yes, Apple Maps can be used in mainland China.
The mapping experience and underlying data available while in China differ from what you may see when looking at China from abroad. This is one reason it is useful to test important routes again after arriving.
Do not rely on screenshots taken months before the trip as your only navigation plan.
Google Maps vs. Amap in China
| Google Maps | Amap | |
|---|---|---|
| Designed for everyday mainland China navigation | No | Yes |
| Local business information | Can be limited or outdated | Extensive |
| Public transport usefulness | Do not rely on it | Strong local coverage |
| English-speaking traveller familiarity | Very familiar | Requires some adjustment |
| Should it be your only China map? | No | Still keep a backup |
Amap vs. Baidu Maps
Amap and Baidu Maps are both serious local navigation tools rather than tourist-only apps.
For many foreign travellers, the deciding factor is usability.
Amap’s international and English support can make it easier to use as a primary app.
Baidu Maps remains useful when you want another source for local listings.
Travellers who read Chinese may be much more comfortable using Baidu as their main map app for China. There is no harm in installing both before departure.
Apple Maps vs. Amap
Apple Maps is likely to feel easier immediately if you already use an iPhone.
Amap provides a more China-focused ecosystem and can be useful for detailed local navigation.
A practical approach is to use Apple Maps for straightforward English-language navigation and keep Amap ready for local searches, route comparisons and destinations that are difficult to locate.
Android users do not have the same Apple Maps option, making Amap particularly useful to learn before travelling.
What Map App Should Android Users Use in China?
For Android users, Amap is a sensible primary choice as a China map app, with Baidu Maps as a backup.
Install and test the apps before leaving home. App-store availability can differ according to your device, account region and operating system.
Do not wait until you are standing outside a Chinese railway station with luggage to work out how the search interface functions.
What Map App Should iPhone Users Use in China?
iPhone users have several useful options for map apps in China.
Apple Maps can provide the most familiar experience, while Amap gives you a strong China-specific navigation tool. Installing both creates a useful combination.
Baidu Maps can then be added if you want another detailed local source.
Do Maps Work Differently in China?
China uses a different coordinate system for many domestic digital maps. This can contribute to apparent location mismatches when data from different mapping systems is combined.
For an ordinary tourist, the practical lesson is straightforward: use a map designed to work properly with mainland Chinese mapping data rather than trying to correct coordinates yourself.
Amap, Baidu Maps and the China version of Apple Maps handle local mapping requirements for the user.
Why Does My Location Look Wrong on a Map in China?
If roads, satellite imagery or location markers appear offset, you may be seeing data based on different coordinate systems. This is particularly noticeable when comparing certain international mapping or satellite layers with Chinese road maps.
Switch to a reliable China-focused mapping service rather than trying to navigate using an obviously misaligned map.
Can You Use Google Maps With a VPN in China?
Technical access and mapping quality are two separate issues.
Even where a traveller can access Google services through an international roaming arrangement or another lawful connection method available to them, Google Maps should not automatically become the primary navigation choice for mainland China. Local listings and transport information can still be less useful than on Chinese services.
Just to give you an example, I tried to add somewhere to Google maps in China and I got a pop-up to say that I am unable to add, edit, or update locations on the map in mainland China. If travellers cannot update Google maps then quite simply it won’t be up-to-date and businesses you see on Google maps may no longer exist.
Use Amap, Baidu Maps or Apple Maps for navigation and treat access to familiar international services as a separate question.
Download Your Map Apps Before You Arrive
Set up essential map apps for China before actually travelling to China.
Sign in where necessary, grant the location permissions you are comfortable with and learn how to search, start walking directions and switch to public transport.
Save your first destination before departure. The arrival airport, hotel and nearest metro station are good places to start.
Save Your Hotel Name in Chinese
One of the most useful China travel preparations is saving your hotel’s Chinese name and full Chinese address. Make sure you save it in Mandarin.
Keep it in several places: your map app, notes app and a screenshot that does not require internet access. This can help when searching China map apps and when showing the destination to a taxi driver.
Do not rely only on an English hotel name. International hotels may have an established Chinese name that looks completely different from the English branding. This also means that at times the literal translation of a Chinese hotel name can be different than the English name it has been given.
Save Railway Stations Carefully
Chinese cities can have several major railway stations, and choosing the wrong one can create a serious problem on a travel day. Beijing, Shanghai and other large cities have multiple stations that may be far apart.
Check the station printed on your ticket and save that exact station in your China map app. Pay attention to words such as North, South, East and West.
Where possible, save the Chinese station name as well as the English version.
Use Maps for Metro Journeys
Chinese metro systems can be extensive, and a good map app can reduce the amount of route planning you need to do manually.
Amap is particularly useful for public transport directions because it can compare routes and show walking connections.
Still check station signs when travelling. Apps can change routes in response to service information, and station exits matter. A huge interchange may have many exits leading to different sides of a major road or shopping complex. This is particularly important if you need the use of an elevator because many stations have exits with no elevator access. You can plan around this using the MetroMan app to find exists with elevator access.
Pay Attention to the Metro Exit Number
Finding the correct station is only half the job. Large Chinese metro stations often have multiple numbered or lettered exits. Leaving through the wrong one can add a substantial walk or put you on the opposite side of a wide road.
Check which exit your map recommends before leaving the paid area, and compare it with station signage.
Map Apps and Accessible Routes in China
Do not assume that a walking route shown by a map app is step-free. A route can be geographically short while still involving stairs, pedestrian bridges, underpasses or inaccessible station entrances.
Wheelchair users and travellers with reduced mobility should check accessibility information separately and allow additional time.
Our accessible transport around the world guide provides a starting point for researching transport accessibility alongside navigation apps and our guide to accessible transport in China gives an overview of your best options in mainland China.
Using Map Apps With an Autistic Child
Maps can be useful for making an unfamiliar journey more predictable.
Before leaving the hotel, show the route in simple stages: walk to the station, take the metro, leave at a particular exit and walk to the attraction.
Take screenshots of important routes so the plan remains visible if mobile data drops out.
For a child who becomes anxious when plans change, explain that the app may occasionally suggest a different route because of traffic or transport conditions. This can make an unexpected change feel less abrupt.
Use Screenshots as a Backup
Screenshots are one of the simplest ways to make navigation more resilient.
Before leaving Wi-Fi, capture:
- Your hotel’s Chinese name and address.
- The destination’s Chinese name.
- The nearest metro station.
- The recommended metro exit.
- A basic walking route from the station.
A screenshot will not update when circumstances change, so it should be a backup rather than your only map.
Do You Need Mobile Data for Map Apps in China?
Live navigation is much easier with mobile data. You may need it to calculate routes, check public transport changes, search for an unfamiliar place or update your location while walking.
Hotel and restaurant Wi-Fi can help, but relying entirely on Wi-Fi makes spontaneous navigation difficult.
Arrange a suitable roaming, SIM or eSIM option before travel and check exactly how it works in mainland China.
I use a mix of Trip.com eSims and Airalo. I like to use Trip.com for cheap and reliable local eSIMS, and Airalo for a regional eSIM when I know I will be travelling around a lot within a wider area (like South East Asia). If you fancy trying out Airalo you can use our referral code (NATASH7173) to get £2.50 off your first eSIM.
Can You Use Offline Maps in China?
Offline mapping can be useful as a backup, but do not assume every app provides the same offline features in China. Download any supported map areas before leaving reliable Wi-Fi and test them with mobile data switched off.
Offline maps may lack live public transport, traffic information, current opening details and updated business listings.
Keep screenshots and Chinese addresses as an additional backup.
Using Maps for Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Accurate Chinese destination names are extremely useful when taking taxis.
Show the driver the Chinese address rather than relying on your pronunciation of an English place name.
Ride-hailing apps can reduce some of this communication because the destination is entered digitally, but always check that the pin is at the correct entrance or building. Large hotels, shopping centres, railway stations and attractions can have several vehicle entrances.
I personally used the Didi ride-hailing app inside the Alipay app to book cars in Beijing and this worked really well. It was easy to choose a suitable vehicle and find the places we wanted to go to. This would tell the driver where we wanted to go using a map and we could track the driver and our journey in the app too. It also makes paying for the ride easy as it is linked to your card and saves carrying around cash.
A Simple Map Setup Before Visiting China: Checklist
| Before you travel | Done |
|---|---|
| Install Amap before departure. | ☐ |
| Keep Apple Maps available if you use an iPhone. | ☐ |
| Consider Baidu Maps as an additional local backup. | ☐ |
| Save your hotels in Chinese and English. | ☐ |
| Save the exact railway stations on your itinerary. | ☐ |
| Screenshot your first airport-to-hotel route. | ☐ |
| Arrange reliable mobile data. | ☐ |
| Test the China map apps before your first independent journey. | ☐ |
Frequently Asked Questions About Map Apps for China
What Is the Best Map App for Tourists in China?
Amap is a strong choice for many international visitors because it combines detailed Chinese mapping with improving support for international users. iPhone users may find Apple Maps particularly easy to use. Baidu Maps is another detailed local option but can be harder for travellers who do not read Chinese.
Does Google Maps Work in China?
Google services are restricted in mainland China, and Google Maps should not be relied on as your main navigation app. Even where you can access it through your particular internet connection, its local data may be less useful than Chinese mapping services.
Is Amap in English?
Amap provides English-language support for international users, although not every local listing or place name will necessarily appear in English. Saving Chinese names and addresses remains useful.
Is Baidu Maps in English?
Baidu Maps is primarily designed for the Chinese market and can be difficult for visitors who do not read Chinese. It is still useful as a detailed local backup.
Does Apple Maps Work in Mainland China?
Yes. Apple Maps can be a convenient option for iPhone users in mainland China and provides a familiar interface for English-speaking travellers.
Which Map App Should Android Users Download for China?
Amap is a useful primary choice for Android travellers, with Baidu Maps as a potential backup. Install and test both before departure.
For most travellers, the best approach to map apps for China is not to search for a perfect replacement for Google Maps. Install a reliable Chinese navigation app such as Amap, keep a second option available and save important destinations in Chinese before you travel. With the hotel, railway stations and first few routes prepared in advance, navigating mainland China becomes much more manageable.
Start Planning a Beijing Trip With Kids
- Start with our guide to Beijing with autistic children for family activities and practical tips
- Staying overnight? Read our Livefortuna Hotel review for our personal hotel review
- Plan your airport support with our guide to special assistance at Beijing Capital Airport
- If visual preparation helps your child, explore our Beijing communication cards
- Travelling with medication? Learn more about bringing medication into China
- Here is everything you need to know about bringing a power bank into China
- Are you British? Learn more about the visa-free travel agreement with China
Continue Planning Your Trip to China
- Check our China visa-free transit guide to understand the 240-hour travel window rules
- Prepare your phone with our guide to apps to download before visiting China
- Explore our accessible transport guide for China for planning journeys
- Using the metro? Learn how to find metro exits with lifts using MetroMan
Continue Planning Your Asia Itinerary With Kids
- Start with planning your overall Asia family trip with our Asia guide
- Travelling via an airport to Taiwan? Learn how to book special assistance and what help you can expect
- Travelling with medication? Learn what to include on your doctors travel letter for medication
- Looking for easier first-time Asia destinations? Consider visiting Japan with kids
- Prefer beaches and slower travel? Find out more about Thailand with children
- Planning big city adventures? Discover what to expect in Hong Kong with autistic children
- Hoping to island hop? Learn more about visiting the Philippines with autistic kids
Continue Planning Your Trip With Autistic Children
- Find out about the help available if you are travelling through an airport
- Discover whether a cruise with an autistic child would work for your family
- Find out how to make travelling with ADHD manageable
- Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
- Check out guides to all of the different destinations we have travelled to with autistic children
- Learn step-by-step how to set up the accessibility feature on Google maps
- Learn more about our favourite sensory toys for travelling
- Discover an app that helps you locate a playground anywhere in the world
- Always alerted at the last minute that the little one needs a toilet? Find a toilet anywhere with this app
Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip With Our Guides
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