Maps in China: What to Use Instead of Google Maps

Google Maps barely works in mainland China — see which map apps route correctly, how to save offline maps, and how to show a taxi driver where you are going.

The big one: Google Maps

Google Maps is not a usable map in mainland China — don’t plan around it. Two separate problems:

1. The data is wrong. China uses its own coordinate system (GCJ-02) instead of the global WGS-84, so Google’s roads, pins and your own blue dot are commonly offset by several hundred metres. You end up standing “inside” a building or on the wrong street.
2. The data is thin. Routing, transit times, live traffic and opening hours frequently fail or are out of date. Downloading a Google offline area doesn’t fix this — it downloads the same bad data.

Use one of these instead, all of which are built on correct local data:

• Amap / 高德地图 — the best all-round choice: driving, walking, transit and Chinese addresses. It also has an English interface setting.
• Baidu Maps / 百度地图 — similar coverage, slightly more English in the interface, strong on landmarks.
• Apple Maps — works in English with zero setup on iPhone and is fine in big cities, but its data gets thin outside them.
• Tencent Maps — decent alternative.

Just want one? Install Amap. If you’re on iPhone and don’t want to fight a Chinese interface, Apple Maps is an acceptable fallback for the big cities — just don’t use it to find a specific address.

Download offline maps

In Amap/Baidu, download the offline map package for the cities you’ll visit. Do this on hotel WiFi so you can navigate without data — useful before your eSIM activates or if your signal drops underground (Internet & SIM →).

Save your destination in Chinese

Taxi drivers rarely read English — but almost every one of them reads Chinese instantly. Before you go anywhere, run your destination through a translation app and keep the Chinese text ready to hold up. A driver who shrugs at “Sofitel” will usually nod at 索菲特大酒店.

Two details that trip people up:

1. Check the branch, not just the brand. Big hotel chains, restaurant groups and even attractions often run several locations under the same name in one city — two “Hilton”s or three “Haidilao”s can be 30 minutes apart, and booking confirmations frequently show only the brand name. Copy the full Chinese address including the branch (district, road, nearest cross-street) and eyeball it on the map before you set off.
2. Translate before you need it. Do it on hotel WiFi, and download the offline language pack in your translation app so it still works when your data drops. See Essential Tools →.

Every city page has a “Show this to your driver” card with the Chinese address — copy it and you’re set.

Share your location

Inside WeChat, you can share your live location with a friend or even show it to a driver. Open a chat → ”+” → “Location”.

Useful phrases

• 我要去… (wǒ yào qù…) — “I want to go to…”
• 多少钱？ (duōshao qián?) — “How much?”
• Keep a screenshot of your hotel’s Chinese address and your map pin — data can drop.

For metro lines, station QR codes, and hailing a car, see Transport & Trains →.

Last updated: 2026-08