Explore essential 2025 tips for navigating maps in China with our guide on four key map apps: Amap (Gaode Map), Baidu Map, Tencent Map, and Apple Maps.

Discover features, advantages, and how to make the most of these tools for a seamless travel experience in China's vast landscapes.

Before you land, you might expect Google Maps to be your trusty companion everywhere—but that’s not the case in China. Many Google services (including Google Maps) are blocked or heavily restricted inside mainland China.

Even if you force it to run via a VPN, the map data is often outdated, and your position might be off by several hundred meters due to China’s mandated mapping coordinate transformations (GCJ-02 vs WGS-84) .

In short: relying solely on Google Maps is risky. That’s why it’s essential to install and learn a local Chinese mapping app before your trip.

Best Map Apps for Tourists in China

Here are four map apps worth knowing about: Amap (Gaode Map), Baidu Map, Tencent Map, and Apple Maps. For each, I’ll cover how to download and set up, how to use them (tips), and what their limitations are.

Amap (Gaode Map 高德地图)

Download & Setup

On iOS (Apple devices) and Android, search for “Amap” or “Gaode Map” in the App Store or Google Play and install.
If you're already in China and can’t access Google Play, you may find it in local app stores (Huawei AppGallery, Xiaomi Store, etc.).
After installing, you can often switch part of the interface into English: go to Me (我的) → Settings (设置) → General / Language (通用设置 / 语言) → select English (if available).
You do not need a Chinese phone number to use it for navigation — you can skip login and use it in guest mode.
Be sure to enable location permissions so it can track your position.

How to Use & Tips

Search & routing: Tap the route (路线) button, enter your destination (English names often work, or try Pinyin / Chinese name), and choose travel mode (driving, public transit, walking, cycling).
Real-time traffic: The map shows colored lines (red for congestion, orange for moderate, green for smooth) and can reroute you if conditions change.
Voice guidance: You can turn on spoken navigation (some versions even offer celebrity voices).
Offline maps: Very useful — before you go, download map of the city you’ll visit (via Me → Offline Maps / 离线地图). You can then still search and navigate (walking / driving / cycling) even without connectivity (although real-time traffic info won’t update).
Favorites / saved places: You can star (收藏) your hotel, popular landmarks, or frequent destinations for quick access.
Ride-hailing / taxis inside the app: In many cities, you can directly request a taxi or ride in Amap (though the payment side often relies on local systems like Alipay / WeChat).

Limitations & Drawbacks

English support is partial: some menus remain Chinese, and some place names may not be translated.
Offline maps lack real-time updates (traffic, incidents).
In smaller towns or rural areas, map detail may be less comprehensive (though often still better than foreign apps).
Payment / ride services often require linking to Chinese payment platforms, which may be difficult for foreign visitors.

Baidu Map (百度地图)

Download & Setup

On iOS: go to the App Store; on Android: Google Play Store (or local Android stores) and search “Baidu Maps” or “百度地图.”
The app is free and legally works inside China without VPN.
You can register with phone/email, but for simple navigation you may skip login (though skipping login limits some features like ride-hailing)
As of mid-2025, Baidu does not offer a full English interface in many versions. The language switch option has been removed in many cases.

How to Use & Tips

Open app → tap the search bar at top → input destination (Chinese characters or Pinyin). Suggestions appear as you type. Then tap “到这去” (Go here) to plan a route.
Choose your travel mode: driving (驾车), public transit (公交 / 地铁), walking, cycling.
Then tap “开始导航” (Start navigation) to begin turn-by-turn guidance.
It shows real-time traffic conditions (green / yellow / red) and estimated travel time.
Public transit: in major cities, Baidu gives detailed metro / bus route options, transfer stations, walking segments, fare estimations.
Nearby search (“周边”): find restaurants, ATMs, hotels, shops around you.
Save places via the star / 收藏 icon for easy reuse.
Download offline maps for the cities you’ll visit for use when connectivity is poor.

Limitations & Drawbacks

No full English UI in many versions; you’ll need to rely on Pinyin, icons, or translation tools.
If you skip login or do not have a Chinese phone number, features like ride-hailing and payment integration may not work.
Offline maps also lack real-time traffic and incident updates.
In less populated areas, map coverage or POIs (points of interest) may be limited.

Tencent Map (腾讯地图)

Download & Setup

Search for “Tencent Maps” or in Chinese “腾讯地图” in your app store (iOS / Android).
However, Tencent Map does not offer a full English version, as it is primarily intended for Chinese users.
After installing, you will need to allow location permissions.

How to Use & Tips

Use the search bar (in Chinese or Pinyin) to look up a place.
Choose travel modes (driving, walking, public transport) and get route suggestions.
Show real-time traffic, alternative routes, and route planning.
Save favorite places or recent searches.
In group travel, Tencent Map is known to have social / sharing features (sharing route or position), which can help coordinate with friends or travel partners.

Limitations & Drawbacks

No English UI: all menus, prompts, and place names are in Chinese.
For non-Chinese speakers, using translation tools is almost mandatory.
Offline functionality is limited compared with Amap/Baidu.
In many cases Tencent’s map coverage or POI richness is less than Baidu or Amap—some users online advise it ranks third among the three main Chinese mapping apps.

Apple Maps (iOS)

Setup & Use

Apple devices (iPhone / iPad) already come with Apple Maps. You don’t need to download it.
Apple Maps works in China without a VPN, because Apple complies with local mapping regulations and sources data (in part) from Chinese partners such as AutoNavi.
It provides a full English interface, which makes it familiar to English-speaking users.
Basic navigation (driving, walking) works and can factor in traffic conditions in major cities.
Apple’s Indoor Maps can help in airports, malls, and large indoor complexes to guide you inside buildings.

Limitations & Drawbacks

Not as detailed as Chinese apps: it may lack rich POI listings, restaurant / shop variety, or small local streets in less urban areas.
Public transit data (bus / metro routes, transfers, station exit numbers) may be incomplete or unavailable.
In rural or remote zones, Apple Maps’ coverage may be less reliable than the native Chinese apps.

Quick Comparison & Suggestions

App	English UI / Support	Offline Map	Public Transit Info	Ride-hailing / Payment Integration	Best Use Case
Amap (Gaode Map)	Partial, some English menus	✅ Downloadable per city	✅ Strong support	✅ In many cities, works with local payments	Best all-rounder for urban & intercity navigation
Baidu Map	Minimal or no English UI	✅ Offline maps	✅ Strong in major cities	✅ Works if logged in / with local payment	Good fallback and supplement
Tencent Map	Chinese only	Some offline	Basic transit	Basic integration	Useful for social sharing / group travel, but less ideal for foreigners
Apple Maps	✅ Fully English	Limited offline	Basic transit	Limited	Good for quick familiar interface in Apple ecosystem

My recommendation: Bring both Amap and Baidu Map as your primary navigation tools. Use Apple Maps for convenience on iPhone. Reserve Tencent Map for when you need to share routes or positions with friends who use it. Be ready to use translation apps (camera mode) for menus and unfamiliar characters.

Final Tips for Tourists

Install and learn before arrival: Download the map apps while you still have reliable Wi-Fi. Also, download the offline city maps you’ll visit in advance.
Save your hotel & key locations in Chinese characters (copy from your booking or use translation tools) and mark them as favorites in each map. This helps when typing addresses later.
Don’t rely on real-time traffic features when offline — they won’t update in offline mode.
Use camera-translation tools (e.g. Google Translate’s camera function) to help interpret buttons, menus, and prompts inside map apps.
Turn on permissions: location / GPS and notifications should be enabled so that navigation works smoothly.
Carry a backup: a screenshot of your route or a small paper map won’t hurt—especially in places with poor signal.
Understand ride payments may require local systems: even if your navigation app shows a taxi, payment may depend on Alipay, WeChat Pay, or linked local accounts.

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2025 Tips for App Maps in China: Why Google Maps Isn't The Best

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