Maps & Navigation in China: Amap vs Baidu Setup Guide (2026)
Step-by-step setup for Amap (Gaode) and Baidu Maps in English, offline maps, transit navigation, why Google Maps falls short, and essential navigation tips for foreigners.
Key takeaway
- Use Amap (高德地图) as your primary navigation app in China. It's the most accurate, has an English interface, works without VPN, and has the best transit directions.
- Baidu Maps is a good alternative — also has English, works without VPN. Slightly better for driving directions. Amap is better for walking and transit.
- Google Maps requires VPN and is less accurate in China (missing new metro lines, wrong business hours, outdated POIs). Do NOT rely on it as your primary map.
- Download offline maps for your cities before arrival. Save your hotel and key destinations as favorites. Keep your hotel's Chinese address saved.
- Both apps support English search for major landmarks, but small places require Chinese names or map pinning.
Full guide
Step-by-Step: Set Up Amap (Gaode) in English
Amap (高德地图, gāo dé dì tú) is China's most popular navigation app, owned by Alibaba. Follow these steps to set it up in English.
- Download Amap and grant permissions
Download 'Amap' (高德地图) from App Store or Google Play (search 'Amap' or '高德地图'). Open the app. Grant location permission (select 'While Using the App'). Grant notifications if you want traffic alerts. The app may ask to access your photos — grant if you want to save map screenshots. On first open, it may show a privacy agreement — tap 'Agree' (同意).
- Switch interface to English
Tap the profile icon (我的, bottom right). Tap the gear/settings icon (设置, top right). Scroll down to 'Language' (语言). Select 'English' (英语). The app will switch to English immediately. Note: Some older versions of Amap may not have a full English interface — if you don't see 'Language', try updating the app, or use the English version available on Google Play. Place names will still show in Chinese by default, but you can search in English.
Tip: Even in English mode, street names and business names remain in Chinese (this is normal — they're proper nouns). Use the search bar in English for major landmarks ('Forbidden City', 'West Lake'), or copy-paste Chinese addresses from your hotel confirmation.
- Download offline maps for your cities
Tap profile (我的) → 'Offline Maps' (离线地图, under 'Tools' or 'More'). Tap 'City Maps' (城市地图). Search for your city (e.g., 'Shanghai', 'Beijing'). Tap 'Download' (下载). The map is ~50-200MB per city. Download maps for all cities you'll visit. Offline maps let you search and navigate without internet (though real-time traffic and transit require connection). Also download 'National Overview Map' (全国概览图) for intercity navigation.
Tip: Download offline maps BEFORE you arrive in China (while you still have reliable WiFi at home/hotel). Once in China, you can download them over your eSIM, but it's faster and easier to do it ahead of time.
- Save hotel and key destinations as favorites
Search for your hotel (paste the Chinese address from your booking confirmation). Tap the search result. Tap the star icon (收藏) to save it as a favorite. Name it 'Hotel' or your hotel name. Repeat for key destinations: train stations, airports, attractions, restaurants. To access favorites: tap profile (我的) → 'Favorites' (收藏夹). This lets you quickly navigate to saved places without retyping addresses.
- Use transit, walking, and driving navigation
To navigate: Search your destination → Tap 'Route' (路线) at the bottom. Choose mode: 'Transit' (公交, for metro/bus), 'Walking' (步行), 'Driving' (驾车), 'Cycling' (骑行), 'Ride-hailing' (打车, links to Didi). For transit: Amap shows the best route with metro lines, bus numbers, transfer points, walking directions, and total fare. Tap 'Start' (开始) for turn-by-turn navigation. For walking: shows step-by-step directions with estimated time. For driving: real-time traffic, speed camera alerts, alternative routes.
Tip: For metro navigation, Amap shows which subway car to board (front/middle/back) for easiest transfer — this is a unique feature that saves time. Look for 'boarding position' (上车位置) recommendation.
Amap vs Baidu Maps: Which to Use
Amap (高德地图): Best overall. Most accurate POI data, best transit directions, best walking navigation, cleaner interface, owned by Alibaba (integrates with Alipay/Didi). Recommended as primary app.
Baidu Maps (百度地图): Good alternative. Better driving directions and real-time traffic, has street view (Baidu Street View — useful for recognizing hotel entrances), slightly better for rural areas. Owned by Baidu.
Both: Work without VPN, have English interfaces (partial), support offline maps, show real-time transit, integrate with Didi/ride-hailing.
Recommendation: Install BOTH. Use Amap as your daily driver for transit and walking. Use Baidu when: driving, needing street view to find an entrance, or when Amap doesn't have a small POI.
Google Maps: Only works with VPN. Even with VPN, data is outdated (missing new metro lines, wrong hours, closed businesses still listed). Do NOT rely on it. Use it only for pre-trip planning at home.
Essential Navigation Tips for Foreigners
Save your hotel's Chinese address: Take a screenshot of your hotel booking confirmation with the Chinese address. Show it to taxi drivers or paste it into Amap. English addresses often don't work in Chinese map apps.
Use crosswalks and bridges: Chinese cities have many underground passages (地下通道) and pedestrian bridges (人行天桥) for crossing major roads. Amap's walking directions will guide you through them. Don't try to jaywalk — traffic is heavy and drivers may not stop.
Metro exits matter: Chinese metro stations have multiple exits (A, B, C, D, sometimes 1-8). Amap tells you which exit is closest to your destination. Taking the wrong exit can add 10+ minutes of walking. Look for exit signs inside the station.
Building entrances: Many Chinese buildings have entrances on side streets or through malls. Use Baidu Street View to find the actual entrance. If you can't find a place, look for the address number (门牌号) on the building — Chinese addresses include building number (e.g., '南京东路100号').
GPS drift in tall building areas: In dense urban areas (Shanghai Lujiazui, Beijing CBD), GPS can drift by 50-100m due to tall buildings. If your location seems wrong, walk to an open area or use the 'calibrate compass' feature (move your phone in a figure-8 pattern).
Language: Save these phrases: '请问...在哪里?' (Excuse me, where is...?), '我迷路了' (I'm lost), '能帮我导航吗?' (Can you help me navigate?). Most young Chinese people speak basic English and are happy to help.
FAQ
Which map app works without VPN in China?
Amap (Gaode) and Baidu Maps both work without VPN and have English interfaces. Amap is better for transit and walking; Baidu is better for driving and has street view. Google Maps requires VPN and is less accurate in China. Download both Amap and Baidu before your trip.
Can I search in English on Amap?
Yes, for major landmarks and places. Search 'Forbidden City', 'West Lake', 'Shanghai Tower', etc. — Amap will find them. For smaller places (local restaurants, small shops), you'll need the Chinese name or address. Copy-paste Chinese addresses from your hotel confirmation or travel guide. You can also use the 'pin on map' feature to select a location visually.
Does Amap work offline?
Yes, with downloaded offline maps. You can search for saved places and view maps offline. However, real-time traffic, transit schedules, and turn-by-turn navigation with live updates require an internet connection. Download offline maps for each city before arrival. Basic point-to-point walking directions work offline if both points are in the downloaded map area.