Google Maps doesn’t work in China — switch to Amap (高德) or Baidu Maps in English mode before you fly, and download the offline map of each city. Your taxi driver, food-delivery driver, and hotel concierge all use these same apps.
Navigate like a local
Download offline maps
Get Gaode Maps and Apple Maps installed and your cities downloaded before you need them.
Search in Chinese or English
Paste the Chinese address from your booking, or type the English hotel name — both apps recognise it.
Choose transit or walk
Tap Directions and compare subway, taxi, and walking. Subway avoids traffic; walking is fine if it's close.
Go
Follow the blue line turn-by-turn, and screenshot the exit letter before you head underground.
Download Metro Maps (High-Res PDF)
Official bilingual (Chinese-English) subway maps. Save them offline and you'll never get lost.
| City | Chinese | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | 上海 | 19 Lines • Updated 2026 |
| Beijing | 北京 | 27 Lines • Updated 2026 |
| Guangzhou | 广州 | 9 Lines • Updated 2026 |
Magic Card: "Take Me To..." (Full-Screen Chinese)
A full-screen Chinese destination card is the fastest way to show drivers, staff, or anyone you're asking for directions. Grab a set on the survival cards page and keep it on your phone.
Icon Legend (Gaode Maps)
Bookmark this. Common map icons you'll see in Gaode and Apple Maps.
| Place | Chinese | Place | Chinese |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subway Entrance | 地铁站 | Public Restroom | 厦所 |
| Hospital | 医院 | Shopping Mall | 商场 |
| Restaurant | 餐厅 | Hotel | 酒店 |
| ATM / Bank | 银行/取款机 | Taxi Stand | 出租车站 |
| Bus Station | 公交站 | Gas Station | 加油站 |
| Convenience Store | 便利店 | Pharmacy | 药店 |
1 Offline Maps Download Guide
Download maps before traveling so you never rely on data. Here's a complete guide to offline navigation in China:
Quick Start
Download Gaode Maps + Apple Maps before you leave home. Download your cities while on WiFi in China. You're then navigating-ready forever.
Best Offline Maps for China
| App | Why | Download | Time needed | Coverage includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Maps | Best for tourists, uses Gaode data inside China | Pre-installed on iPhone, available on Android via App Store | 1-2 hours | Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Hangzhou |
| Gaode Maps (高德地图) | Native Chinese app, most detailed, offline mode excellent | App Store or Google Play (~80MB) | 2-3 hours per city | Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xi'an |
| MetroMan (地铁通) | Best for subway navigation, works offline | App Store or Google Play (~20MB) | No download needed, just app install | Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, 24+ cities |
Step-by-Step Download Guide
Before You Leave Home
Gaode Maps
Download it and select cities you'll visit.
Apple Maps
Download the app if you have iPhone.
MetroMan
Download it for subway navigation.
Test offline
Check that offline mode works with a known location.
While on WiFi in China
Add cities
Download additional cities you weren't sure about.
Add neighbourhoods
Download the area around your hotel.
Pin favourites
Mark favorite locations with pins for quick access.
Enable native offline
Turn on offline maps for your phone's native maps app.
While Using Mobile Data
Navigate offline first
Use downloaded maps for navigation.
Online as fallback
Only switch to online mode if offline fails.
Screenshot
Save screenshots of important locations.
Mark as you go
Pin new locations you want to remember.
Pro Tips for Offline Navigation
| Tip | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Pin Important Locations | Mark your hotel, restaurants, and attractions. You can navigate to them from your pins list without data. |
| Screenshot Street View | When you find a location on Google Maps/Apple Maps, take a screenshot. Useful when offline mode fails. |
| Learn Subway Symbols | Each subway line has a number/letter. Memorize the symbol for your hotel area — easier than reading station names. |
| Download at Hotel WiFi | Most hotels have strong WiFi. When you arrive, download maps for that day's exploration before leaving. |
| Compare 2 Maps | Different apps sometimes disagree on locations. Check 2-3 maps apps if one says something weird. |
| Update Maps Before Trip | Update your maps apps to the latest version before leaving home. China blocks some app updates. |
Common Problems & Solutions
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Maps are in Chinese | Yes, they are. But street names and numbers are visible. Use your hotel address or landmarks to orient yourself. |
| Offline map shows wrong location | GPS can be off by 100 meters in cities. Use landmarks and street names to confirm, not just the dot on map. |
| Downloaded map expired | Some maps expire after 30 days. Use Apple Maps or Gaode Maps instead — they don't expire. |
| I went wrong way on subway | Chinese subway maps are clear. Check the direction symbol on your phone or ask staff "这是哪个方向?" (Which direction is this?) |
2 Maps You Can Use in China
Two apps cover everything: Apple Maps in English, Gaode as the local powerhouse.
| Apple Maps | Gaode Maps (高德地图) | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | English interface — no language barrier | Completely in Chinese, but you don't need to speak Chinese to use it |
| Data source | Uses data from Gaode (高德), the local mapping provider | The most popular map app in China; the original data |
| Coverage | Works everywhere in China — unlike Google Maps | Most detailed local coverage |
| Getting it | Pre-installed on iPhones — no download needed | App Store or Google Play (search "Gaode" or "高德地图") |
| Extras | Shows restaurants, hotels, ATMs with ratings; accurate GPS, better than Google Maps in China; offline maps; real-time traffic | Excellent offline mode; recognises English hotel names and landmarks |
How to Use Apple Maps in China
Open Maps
On iPhone, launch the Maps app.
Search
Your destination, in English or Chinese.
Tap Directions
It shows public transit, taxi, and driving options.
Choose your method
Subway (地铁) best for avoiding traffic; Taxi/Didi fastest door-to-door; Walking if it's close.
Follow the blue line
It guides you turn-by-turn.
How to Search Gaode (Even Without Chinese)
- Type your hotel name in English — Gaode recognizes it
- Use English landmarks like "Starbucks", "McDonald's", "Hospital"
- Or copy/paste Chinese names from your hotel booking
- Or use the map icons to find places nearby
Not sure your phone is ready for these apps? Run the checker:
3 Public Subway Navigation
Subways are the fastest way to get around major cities. Here's how to use them:
Find the entrance
Look for the subway symbol on your map.
Get MetroMan
Optional but helpful — shows real-time subway lines for every major city.
Find line & direction
Lines are numbered: Line 1, Line 2, etc. Each line has a direction (usually based on end stations). Signs have English translations in major cities.
Ready your payment
Best: use the Alipay Transport Code. Alternatively: buy a physical card at the ticket counter.
Head to the platform
Follow the line number and direction signs.
Wait, then ride
Trains usually come every 3-5 minutes. Subways are air-conditioned and fast.
4 The Secret: Alipay Transport Code
This is huge. Instead of buying tickets, you can scan into the subway using Alipay.
Open Alipay
Launch the app.
Find Transport
Look for "Transport" or 出行 (travel) card at the bottom.
Open Metro Card
You'll see "Metro Card" or "Transit" option.
Activate
Tap to activate — it generates a QR code.
Scan in
At the turnstile, hold your phone over the scanner. The gate opens — you're in.
Scan out
Exit the same way — scan again at your destination. Fare is deducted from Alipay automatically.
Why Alipay Transport Is Amazing
- No need to buy a physical card — just use your phone
- Works in 300+ cities in China
- Cheap — subways are only 2-10 RMB per ride
- Automatic payment — no need to calculate fares or count change
- Eco-friendly — no plastic card waste
5 Walking & Landmarks
Chinese cities are usually walkable. Here's how to navigate on foot:
- Use Apple Maps for walking directions — it's very accurate
- Look for landmarks — Chinese cities are built on grids, easy to navigate
- Pay attention to district names — like "Pudong" or "Nanjing Road", they help orient you
- Don't be afraid to ask locals — show them your phone with the destination address
- Pedestrian signs are helpful — red = stop, green = go (same as the West)
- Beware of traffic — bikes can come from anywhere; stay alert
6 Location Helper
Find your location and share it with drivers, or look up nearby services. Works offline and privacy-first.
Enable GPS
Open your phone's location settings.
Read your coordinates
They show up on your map app.
Send them
You can send these coordinates to a taxi driver via WeChat/Alipay.
Or search nearby
Look up nearby locations by name (hospital, bank, hotel, etc.).
Common Locations (English-Chinese)
| English | Chinese | English | Chinese |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Station | 地铁站 | Police Station | 警察局 |
| Bank | 银行 | ATM | 自动取款机 |
| Supermarket | 超市 | Airport | 机场 |
| Train Station | 火车站 |
Pro Tips for Location Sharing
| Tip | How |
|---|---|
| Screenshot Maps | Take screenshots of important locations (hotel, restaurants, attractions) in Apple Maps or Gaode Maps. When you get lost, show the screenshot to a taxi driver. |
| Use Didi Instead | With Didi (Chinese Uber), you can enter your destination in the app directly. No need to communicate with the driver at all. |
| Get Your Hotel Card | When you arrive at your hotel, ask the reception for a card with the hotel name and address in Chinese. Carry it with you and show it when getting a taxi back. |
| Share via WeChat | Many locations in China have QR codes. Scan with WeChat to get the location details. Then you can share it with your friends or driver. |
7 Make Sure You Have Data
Warning: Data Usage
Maps use a LOT of data (especially with real-time traffic and offline map sync). Your standard international phone plan will drain fast. Get an unlimited eSIM plan before you land so you're never stuck without navigation.
8 Pro Navigation Tips
- Screenshot important addresses — in case your phone dies or WiFi drops
- Download offline maps in Apple Maps before exploring new areas
- Save your hotel address as a bookmark so you can find your way back
- Use English when searching — Gaode and Apple Maps both recognize English place names
- Subway is your friend during rush hour — faster than Didi or taxis
- Night subways close around 11pm — plan your last ride accordingly
- Be patient with drivers/navigators — GPS sometimes confuses buildings in dense areas
9 Navigation Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Reality |
|---|---|
| Using Google Maps | It doesn't work. Stop trying. |
| Relying only on paper maps | Digital is much more accurate |
| Not checking your route before going out | Take 30 seconds to plan |
| Assuming all taxis have the same fare | Use Didi for fixed pricing |
| Missing the last subway | Check closing times and plan accordingly |
Navigation Pro
With Apple Maps, Alipay Transport, and Gaode as your backup, you can navigate any Chinese city like a local. You're ready to explore.
10 Amap Setup, Step by Step
Amap (高德地图) is China’s most detailed map — and since early 2025 it has a proper English mode. Walk through download, English setup, search, travel modes, and in-app ride-hailing with this hands-on guide: