The Best Map Apps for China Travel

If you've ever thought about traveling to and across China before, it's worth remembering that it's a huge country. There's a lot of ground to cover, places to see, and connections to make - all depending on what you want to do out here! However, if you're planning to use your smartphone to navigate your way around once you've arrived, keep in mind you'll need to look into the best map app for China that isn't Google Maps.

We'll explain why shortly, and which apps you should really think about prioritizing. In the meantime, before you even start looking at navigation apps and GPS to use while you explore the country, you should make sure you have an eSIM for Mainland China that allows you to connect to the best available mobile data for the region you're in.

Otherwise, you might find yourself dependent on public WiFi, which isn't always secure or reliable, or even spending more money than you anticipate on mobile roaming with your home SIM or carrier. Regardless, it's cheaper and less hassle to use a SIMOVO eSIM, as you can top up before you go, and use all of the map apps for China that we recommend below. Simple!

Why Google Maps does not work well in China

Believe it or not, Google Maps doesn't work as you might expect in China mainly thanks to its Great Firewall! 

Essentially, the Chinese government uses a coordinate system that censors international map access and effectively prevents Google's servers from mapping out China in real-time. That usually means that travelers heading here from overseas, who might already be used to Google Maps, either have to get used to trying an alternative navigation system, downloading a VPN, or both.

Ultimately, because Google Maps doesn't have access to real-time satellite data, you can't rely on it for nearby information or to help you find your way around different routes or areas while you visit China. There are a few alternative apps you can use that do give you access to this information, or at least help to build up a more accurate picture of the country you're exploring.

Best map app for China

When it comes to narrowing down the best map app for China, the SIMOVO team recommends a choice between three: Baidu Maps, Amap, or Apple Maps. Yes - there's a chance you may already have one of them installed and ready to go!

Much like with our China apps guide, we've taken all three apps for a test drive and have looked closely at usability, real-time alerts, and how supportive they are for travelers who are exploring China on foot, via public transport, and via the road network. Crucially, the choice is yours when it comes to any of the three we've tested, but remember to load at least one up before you arrive (and leave Google Maps on side until you get home again, at least for now).

Baidu Maps

Baidu Maps is pretty much the Chinese equivalent of Google Maps, famous for its ease of use when it comes to mapping out public transport routes, looking for shortcuts on foot, and allowing for intelligent routing (meaning that if you go off the beaten path, the app will redirect you).

The only real issue that might face you if you choose Baidu over other map apps is the fact that it's predominantly available in Chinese, at least when it comes to voice navigation. There are some English directions, but it may take some getting used to if you don't speak the language fluently. 

We like it for its real-time alerts and traffic analysis, however, and its travel guides are always fun to dip into. Give this one a go, especially because it's one of the most accurate based on current Chinese data.

Amap

Amap tends to be the main alternative people look for when it comes to English-first map apps to use in China. It's actually developed with foreign travelers in mind, and thankfully, it's usually up to date with everything you need to know about local areas - from cities to more remote spots.

It's also pretty impressive from a technological point of view, thanks to its lane navigation system, its journey time calculators, and extensive route planning options if you intend to travel deeper into the continent (where you'll need an eSIM for Asia, by the way!).

On top of this, you can also use Amap to break down reviews for local areas of interest, making it a great little asset if you're a first-time tourist here.

Apple Maps

Yes, believe it or not, the best map app for China may well be one that's already built into your iPhone. Apple Maps works very well across the country because it runs from the same real-time information you get from Amap, and if you've already used it at home, you're already used to its intuitive interface and advice.

We recommend sticking to Apple Maps if you predominantly use devices built by the company, meaning it's great for the Apple Watch as well as the iPhone and iPad ranges. That said, it's not always the best when it comes to up-to-date details on Chinese transport routes, meaning it might be worthwhile keeping Baidu on standby just in case.

Offline navigation in China

Of course, you may not want to go online too much in China, or even want to use any of the apps we've recommended so far. You're free, therefore, to take advantage of a downloaded, offline map instead!

The best resource we've found for offline maps and navigation in China is the fantastic Maps.Me, an app where you can download complete maps of specific areas to your device for use at a later date. Just like you can download Spotify playlists on WiFi so you can play songs later without draining mobile data, this service lets you navigate China freely without staying connected.

The benefits there, of course, are that you can find your way around various towns and cities without having to connect to the internet, and you won't be draining your mobile data. That means more eSIM data to use when sharing your trip with family and friends!

Tips for using map apps in China

Getting to grips with even the best map app in China can take some doing, so we've put together a few final bits of advice to help you get on the road and connected safely to where you need to be. Remember, don't go anywhere in China without an eSIM!

• Always look out for language support. Not all map apps for China will support English, for example, so download and look through their options menus before you start planning your trips.
• Try to use multiple apps at once to get a clearer picture of where to go in China. For example, we recommend balancing Apple Maps with Baidu, as the former can be somewhat restricted.
• Where possible, take screenshots of any addresses you need to head to in case there are no anglicized characters. You can then show addresses to taxi drivers or people managing public transport, so you always get to where you're going.