Google Maps has a fundamental problem in China: it shows you in the wrong place. Chinese law requires all digital maps to use a modified coordinate system called GCJ-02. Google applies an offset to comply, but the result is your blue dot sitting 50–500 metres from where you actually are. In a maze of hutong alleys or a 20-exit subway station, that offset costs you real time.
The two local alternatives are Amap and Baidu Maps. Here is everything you need to choose and use the right one.
Key Takeaways
- Amap is the right choice for English-speaking tourists — it has an English mode.
- Baidu Maps is better in Chinese — more features, but interface is almost entirely in Chinese.
- Both use GCJ-02 — your GPS pin is accurate on either app.
- Amap shows exact subway exit numbers — critical for navigating Chinese stations.
- Apple Maps uses Amap data inside China — passable backup if you are on iPhone.
- Google Maps still works with VPN but coordinates remain offset — use only outside China.
The Coordinate Problem: Why Google Maps Fails in China
All digital maps in mainland China must legally use the GCJ-02 coordinate system, a deliberately modified version of the global GPS standard. Chinese map apps are built on GCJ-02 natively — your location pin is exact. Google Maps uses the global WGS-84 standard and applies a mathematical offset to comply, but the conversion introduces an error of 50–500 metres depending on location.
The practical result: you open Google Maps in Shanghai, your pin says you are in a building, but you are actually on the street outside. In a city where you cannot read street signs, that offset is disorienting. Amap has no such problem.
Amap vs Baidu Maps: Head-to-Head
| Feature | Amap (高德) | Baidu Maps (百度地图) |
| English interface | ✓ Full English mode | ✗ Mostly Chinese only |
| English place search | ✓ Most major landmarks | ✗ Limited |
| GPS accuracy (GCJ-02) | ✓ Exact | ✓ Exact |
| Subway exit numbers | ✓ Specific exit labels | ✓ Available |
| Walking directions | ✓ Clear, numbered steps | ✓ Detailed but Chinese |
| Transit (metro + bus) | ✓ English route cards | ✓ More detail in Chinese |
| Offline maps | ✓ Downloadable | ✓ Downloadable |
| Live traffic | ✓ Real-time | ✓ Real-time |
| Voice navigation | ✓ English voice available | Chinese only |
| Restaurant discovery | Good (uses Dianping data) | Very good (Chinese users) |
| Best for | English-speaking tourists | Chinese-reading travelers |
How to Set Up Amap in English
- Download Amap (高德地图) from the App Store or Google Play before you travel.
- Open the app. Tap the profile icon (bottom right) → tap the Settings icon (top right).
- Scroll to find Language (语言) — tap it and select English.
- Return to the main map. The interface should now display in English.
- Test a search: type a hotel name or landmark in English to confirm it works.
Note: Amap’s English mode translates the interface and major place names. Some smaller venues and street names will still display in Chinese. This is expected — the underlying data is Chinese and not all entries have English translations.
The Subway Exit Number Feature
This is the Amap feature that saves the most time for tourists. Chinese subway stations are often massive. A station like Beijing’s Guomao has exits spread across four city blocks. When Amap routes you to a destination that involves a subway exit, it specifies the exact exit label — Exit A, Exit B2, Exit C — not just the station name.
Before you go underground, check Amap for your exit number. Write it down or screenshot it. In the station, look for the matching letter/number on the exit signs. This eliminates the guesswork of emerging at the wrong corner and walking in circles.
When to Use Baidu Maps Instead
Baidu Maps is better than Amap in two specific situations:
- You read Chinese: Baidu Maps has more granular detail for local POI (points of interest), more restaurant reviews, and slightly better coverage in very rural areas.
- Directions to very small local businesses: Baidu’s POI database is more comprehensive for small, unlisted-in-English businesses. Copy the Chinese name from WeChat or a search result and paste it directly into Baidu Maps.
Other Map Options
Apple Maps
Apple Maps inside China uses Gaode (Amap) data, so coordinates are accurate. It is a usable option if you already know how to use it and just want something familiar. Weakness: less detail on transit routes and no subway exit numbers in most cities.
Maps.me
An offline-first map app that works well in areas with no data signal. Based on OpenStreetMap data. Useful for rural hiking areas or remote scenic spots where even Amap coverage gets thin. Not suitable as a primary navigation tool in Chinese cities — POI coverage is limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the full list of essential apps to install before your China trip, see The Best Apps for Traveling in China. For getting around by taxi or ride-hailing, see our guide to using DiDi in China.