Quick answer: Gaode Map (also called Amap or Amap China) is the most accurate navigation app in China — it has metro exits that Google Maps does not show, walking routes that work in dense Chinese cities, and real-time transit data for every city. Unlike Google Maps, which is unreliable in China, Gaode Map shows exact metro exits, Chinese place names that taxi drivers recognise, and live traffic for driving and walking. English support is limited but the app is usable for basic navigation even without a Chinese phone number. Keep Google Maps or Apple Maps as secondary references only; use Gaode Map for your primary navigation. This guide covers how to use Gaode Map for airport transfers, hotel check-in, metro navigation, and daily sightseeing.
What the official source says: Amap’s official website (amap.com, 高德地图) describes the service as providing nationwide map browsing, place search, and public-transit and driving route queries. Amap’s open platform operates under the English brand “AMap” (lbs.amap.com). Those are the officially documented basics; treat everything else you read about the app — including claims in guides like this one — as something to test on your own device. (amap.com and lbs.amap.com, checked October 2, 2026.)
Last reviewed: August 2026. June 2026. Amap features, English support, route labels, and app-store availability can change by phone, region, and app version.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for foreign travelers who are used to Google Maps, Uber-style pickup, English hotel addresses, and card payments. China can work smoothly, but only if your navigation, payment, and mobile data are ready before you are standing outside an airport or train station.
Amap is especially useful if your trip includes big cities, metro systems, high-speed rail stations, hotel check-in, food streets, and sightseeing days like a 7-day route, 10-day route, or 15-day route.
Amap China basics: Gaode Map, English, and Google Maps
Before downloading the app, it helps to understand what Amap is and why it matters for your trip.
Amap and Gaode Map are the same app
Amap (Gaode Map, Gaode Maps) is one navigation app produced by AutoNavi, a Chinese company now part of the Alibaba group. In Chinese it is called Gaode Ditu (Gao De Di Tu). In English it is usually called Amap. If you see “Gaode Map,” “Gaode Maps,” “Amap,” or “AutoNavi” — they all refer to the same app. Downloading “Amap” or “Gaode” from your app store gives you the same product.
Why Google Maps is not enough in China
Google Maps works in China but with significant limitations. Map data is often offset or outdated — a restaurant shown on Google Maps may have moved or closed, and walking directions may not reflect actual pedestrian routes. Metro information, bus routes, and real-time transit updates are far less reliable than on Amap China. More importantly, Google Maps rarely shows the correct metro exit letter or number, which matters because choosing the wrong exit can add a 10-minute walk above ground. For daily navigation in Chinese cities, Amap is the tool that local residents actually use, and it is what you should use too. For a detailed comparison of all three navigation options, see our Gaode Map vs Google Maps in China guide.
Gaode Map English version: what exists and what does not
Amap now ships multilingual support aimed at international visitors, including an English interface. According to the Shanghai government’s English portal, its visitor services cover pre-departure entry information, arrival guidance, city navigation, local recommendations, bilingual phrase cards for drivers and hotel staff, and emergency numbers — and the main services work without logging in. (english.shanghai.gov.cn, checked October 4, 2026.)
English mode still has practical limits. Menus and prompts may appear in English, but many neighborhood restaurants, small hotels, and residential addresses are listed with Chinese names only — when English search fails, search in Chinese or paste the Chinese address from your booking confirmation. Language coverage varies by app version, region, and release, so check the language options in the app’s settings and test the version you download before you depend on it.
Can you use Amap without a Chinese phone number?
Yes, for basic navigation. You can download Amap, open it, and use it for searching places, viewing routes, checking metro exits, and getting walking directions — all without logging in or registering. A Chinese phone number is typically only required for advanced features like saving favorites across devices, leaving reviews, or using some ride-hailing integrations. For most first-time visitors who just need walking, metro, and transit directions, no account is needed.
Amap and Gaode: what the name officially covers
The app’s Chinese name is 高德地图 (Gaode Ditu, literally “Gaode Map”), and the English brand name AMap appears on Amap’s official open platform. Travelers use all three names — Amap, Gaode Map and Gaode Ditu — for the same service: the map and navigation product whose official website is amap.com.
What the official site itself documents is specific: nationwide map browsing (地图浏览), place search (地点搜索), and public-transit and driving route queries (公交驾车查询). That is the scope the company publishes on its own homepage. Features beyond that scope — offline map packs, English interface quality, taxi-hailing integration and in-app payment flows — change between app versions, so verify the feature you care about on the app version you actually download. (amap.com, checked October 2, 2026.)
What to prepare before arriving in China
- Install Amap / Gaode Maps before departure if it is available in your app store.
- Prepare mobile data with a China eSIM, roaming plan, or another reliable connection.
- Save hotel names and addresses in Chinese, not only English.
- Take screenshots of hotel addresses, train stations, airport terminals, attraction bookings, and important route notes.
- Set up payment with Alipay and WeChat Pay before you need them.
- Keep a backup map reference such as Apple Maps, hotel directions, or official attraction pages.
Do not wait until you land to solve maps, internet, payment, and hotel addresses at the same time. That is the exact moment when small app problems become stressful.
How to set up Amap
- Download Amap / Gaode Maps from your phone app store before your flight if possible.
- Open the app once while you still have stable internet.
- Allow location access while using the app.
- Check whether your version supports English or partial English display.
- Save your first hotel, airport, and main train station if the app allows favorites.
- Keep screenshots in case the interface becomes confusing after landing.
Some versions may show more Chinese than English. That does not make the app useless. The key is learning a simple workflow: paste the Chinese place name, choose the right result, compare metro/walking/driving routes, and save the route before moving.
How to search places: English, pinyin, and Chinese
Try English first for famous places such as the Forbidden City, The Bund, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, or Beijing Capital Airport. For hotels, restaurants, smaller attractions, and station entrances, Chinese names are usually more reliable.
| Search method | Best for | Problem to watch |
|---|---|---|
| English name | Famous sights, airports, major stations, big hotels | Several branches may share similar English names |
| Pinyin | Well-known Chinese names when you cannot type characters | Multiple places may sound similar |
| Chinese name | Hotels, restaurants, station exits, small shops, local sights | You need to copy it from a reliable source |
| Full Chinese address | Hotel check-in, taxi line, exact destination | Long addresses can still point to a building complex, not the exact door |
Good sources for Chinese names include hotel booking confirmations, Trip.com listings, official attraction pages, messages from hotels, train tickets, and Chinese-language screenshots. If an English search result feels uncertain, do not guess. Copy the Chinese name and search again.
Walking, metro, and transit directions
For many first-time visitors, metro plus walking is the most reliable daily transport mix in Chinese cities. Metro systems are usually frequent and clearly signed, while Amap can help with walking distance, transfer options, station exits, and the last few minutes from the station to the door.
| Mode | Use it for | First-time tip |
|---|---|---|
| Walking | Hotel to metro, station exit to attraction, nearby food | Check which side of the road or complex the entrance is on |
| Metro | Daily city movement in Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen | Station exits matter; wrong exits can add a long walk |
| Bus | Some local routes or shorter city moves | Harder for first-timers unless the route is very clear |
| Driving estimate | Airport or station transfer planning | Use it as a time estimate, not a promise during rush hour |
| Generic ride-hailing option | When payment, pickup point, and mobile data are already working | Keep secondary; official taxi lines or metro can be simpler on arrival |
Airport or train station to hotel workflow
This is where Amap matters most. Foreign visitors often arrive tired, with luggage, weak airport Wi-Fi, and an English hotel name that does not match the local map result. Use a controlled workflow instead of improvising.
- Open your hotel booking and copy the Chinese name or Chinese address.
- Paste it into Amap and confirm the district, nearby road, or landmark.
- Compare metro/airport rail, driving estimate, and walking distance from the final stop.
- If metro is direct and luggage is manageable, use it.
- If pickup zones are confusing or it is late, use an official taxi line or hotel-arranged transfer.
- If using a map-based ride option, make sure payment, phone signal, and pickup point are clear before ordering.
For high-speed rail travel days, read the China high-speed rail guide and save the exact station name. Beijing South, Beijing West, Shanghai Hongqiao, Shanghai Railway Station, and Xi’an North are not interchangeable.
Common problems and what to try
| Problem | Possible reason | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel does not appear | English name differs from Chinese listing or branch name | Search the Chinese name, full address, phone number, or ask the hotel for the Amap name |
| Directions are partly Chinese | English support varies by version and feature | Use visual route line, station names, translation app, and screenshots |
| Wrong branch appears | Chain hotel, restaurant, or shop has many locations | Check district, road name, nearby landmark, and booking map |
| Metro exit is confusing | Large stations can have many exits and underground malls | Follow exit letter/number, then re-check walking route above ground |
| Airport pickup point is unclear | Terminals and pickup zones are controlled | Use airport rail, official taxi line, or hotel transfer if unsure |
| App will not load smoothly | Weak data, app issue, or network problem | Use screenshots, hotel staff, station signs, or a backup map app |
What to do when Amap is confusing
If Amap feels overwhelming, reduce the task. You do not need every feature. You need the correct destination, the best metro or transfer route, the station exit, and a backup if the app fails.
- Ask hotel staff to send the destination name in Chinese.
- Use a translation app for buttons and route labels.
- Take a screenshot before entering a station or underground mall.
- Follow physical metro signs when they are clearer than the phone.
- Use official taxi lines at airports and stations if pickup zones are confusing.
- Keep hotel phone number and address offline.
Backup plan
Your backup is not one magic app. It is a small stack: working mobile data, Chinese hotel address screenshots, Alipay or WeChat Pay, a translation app, official taxi lines, and enough time buffer for large stations.
If you need Google services, Gmail, WhatsApp, or other international apps during the same travel day, prepare your VPN or alternative access plan before arrival. Do not rely on blocked or unreliable services for live navigation decisions.
China-specific context
China navigation is different from many US or European travel days because Chinese place names, QR payments, metro exits, station security, and app-based services are connected. You might know where you want to go, but still need the Chinese name, the correct entrance, working mobile data, and a payment method.
This is why the core stack matters: Amap for location, Alipay and WeChat Pay for payment, eSIM or roaming for data, high-speed rail planning for city-to-city travel, and screenshots for moments when apps become inconvenient.
FAQ
Is Gaode Map a good Google Maps China alternative?
Yes. Gaode Map (Amap) is the most reliable Google Maps alternative for mainland China. While Google Maps can work for rough orientation, its China data is often incomplete — metro exits may be wrong, walking routes may not reflect real paths, and business listings can be outdated. Gaode Map provides accurate local navigation, transit directions, and Chinese place names that taxi drivers and hotel staff can recognize. For most first-time visitors, Gaode Map should be the primary navigation app, with Google Maps or Apple Maps used as familiar backups only.
Is Google Maps accurate in China?
Not reliably enough to be your only navigation tool. Google Maps can show major tourist attractions, large hotels, and general city layouts, but its local transit data, walking routes, metro exit information, and business listings are often less accurate than Amap / Gaode Maps. For daily navigation — especially metro exits, small restaurants, and hotel entrances — confirm your route in Amap rather than relying on Google Maps alone. Apple Maps is a decent English-friendly backup on iPhone but still less detailed than Amap for Chinese addresses and transit decisions.
Can I use Amap China in English?
Amap China does not have a full English version, but some versions show English labels for major roads, metro station names, and tourist landmarks. The search function often accepts English queries for famous places like the Forbidden City, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, or Beijing Capital Airport. For smaller hotels, local restaurants, and residential addresses, Chinese names are more reliable. The practical workflow: copy Chinese place names from your booking confirmations, paste them into Amap, and use visual route lines and screenshots when the interface shows Chinese text.
Is Amap the same as Gaode Map?
Yes. Amap and Gaode Map (Gaode Maps) are the same navigation app. The Chinese name is Gaode Ditu (Gao De Di Tu), the English brand name is Amap, and the developer is AutoNavi (part of the Alibaba group). Searching for any of these names in your app store should return the same app. See the Amap China Basics section above for more detail.
Can I use Amap in China without a Chinese phone number?
Yes, for basic navigation. You can download, open, and use Amap for searching places, viewing routes, checking metro exits, and walking directions without registering or logging in. A Chinese phone number is typically only needed for optional features like saving favorites across devices, leaving reviews, or using some integrated ride-hailing services. Most first-time visitors only need the core navigation functions, which work without an account.
Is there a Gaode Map English version?
There is no full English version of Gaode Map, but some versions include partial English labels for major roads, metro station names, and tourist landmarks. English search works for famous places (Forbidden City, major airports, large stations) but not for small restaurants, local shops, or residential addresses. The international “AMap Global” app exists but has less complete China data — for a mainland China trip, use the standard Amap / Gaode Map app and rely on the workflow described in this guide (copy Chinese names, use visual route lines, and take screenshots).
Is Apple Maps better than Google Maps in China?
Apple Maps is usually a better English-language backup than Google Maps in China, but Amap is still the most useful app for daily navigation. Google Maps can be inaccurate in China because addresses, business listings, walking routes, and metro exits are often outdated or offset. Apple Maps is more familiar for iPhone users and can be useful for rough orientation, but it still does not match Amap for metro exit details, Chinese address search, bus routes, and real-time local navigation. For most visitors, the practical setup is simple: use Amap as the primary map app, keep Apple Maps as an English backup, and treat Google Maps as the least reliable option inside mainland China.
Does Google Maps work in China?
Google Maps does not work reliably in mainland China. Street view is blocked, driving directions are often inaccurate, metro exits are missing, and walking routes may not reflect recent construction. Some users report basic web-based maps loading intermittently, but the mobile app for turn-by-turn navigation is effectively unusable without a VPN. This is why most foreign visitors in China switch to Gaode Map (Amap) or Baidu Maps for daily navigation.
Does Amap have English support?
Amap (Gaode Map) has limited English support. The app interface is primarily in Chinese, but key navigation features work for English speakers: you can search for places using English or pinyin (e.g. “Beijing South Station” or “beijing nan zhan”), the map displays street names in English alongside Chinese characters, and the turn-by-turn voice guidance works in English on some versions. However, user reviews, restaurant menus, and detailed place information are in Chinese only. For most navigation tasks — airport transfers, metro directions, finding hotels — the app is fully usable without reading Chinese.
For route planning after you choose a station, pair Amap with this China subway guide so you can check metro exits, transfers, and walking routes together.
If you are searching for Gaode Map China, Amap China, or Gaode Map English, the short answer is: use Gaode/Amap for local navigation, and keep Google Maps only as a rough backup.
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Make sure Amap has mobile data
Live routing, place search, and ride-hailing handoffs are much easier with data from the moment you land. If your home roaming is expensive, check Airalo’s current China eSIM options or compare all providers in our best eSIM for China guide.
Affiliate note: The Airalo link may earn the site a commission at no extra cost to you; the navigation advice is not dependent on buying a specific plan.
Related guides
- How foreigners can use Alipay in China
- Can foreigners use WeChat Pay in China?
- Best eSIM for China travel
- Best VPN for China travel
- How to book high-speed rail tickets in China
- 10-day China itinerary
Editor note: App interfaces, English support, route labels, and local transport options can change. Use this guide as a practical workflow, then confirm the current app screen before relying on any one feature for an airport, train station, or late-night transfer.
Sort out payments, trains and data before you fly
Navigation is only one part of arriving in China. Most people reading this guide also need three other things working before they land: a data plan that actually connects, a payment app that a foreign card will link to, and a train ticket tied to a passport. Each one takes about twenty minutes at home and considerably longer at an airport.
- Setting up Alipay with an international card — what to do when the card is declined or the verification step loops.
- Booking 12306 train tickets as a foreigner — registration, passport rules and what actually happens at the station gate.
- Which eSIMs really work in China — and why a VPN backup still matters on hotel Wi-Fi.