MediumForeign cards: NoEnglish: Poor
Amap
A Chinese map app for finding stores, planning metro routes, checking addresses, and navigating daily life.
Setup
10-20 minutes
Cards
No
English
Poor
Purpose
What this app is for
- Searching local places using Chinese map data.
- Finding official China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom stores.
- Planning metro, walking, taxi, and city routes.
Flowchart
Setup process
Setup, verification, payment, and fallback paths arranged as a quick process map.
Search
Route
Navigate
Setup
Setup steps
- Install Amap, also known as Gaode Maps.
- Allow location access.
- Search using Chinese keywords when possible.
- Save hotel, school, apartment, or office addresses.
- Use route planning for metro, walking, taxi, and nearby services.
Daily use
Common use cases
- Finding carrier stores for SIM cards.
- Checking metro routes and station exits.
- Saving Chinese addresses for DiDi and delivery.
- Finding hospitals, pharmacies, restaurants, and hotels.
Troubleshooting
Common problems
- The interface is Chinese-first.
- English searches may miss useful local results.
- Some listed stores may be resellers rather than official branches.
Related guides
Practical tasks that use Amap
TransportEssential
How to Set Up Amap in China as a Foreigner
Set up Amap, also called Gaode Maps, so you can search Chinese addresses, navigate metro/walking routes, save places, and use local map data in China.
Medium·15-25 minutes·May 14, 2026
ConnectivityEssential
How to Get a SIM Card in China as a Foreigner
Choose between a local SIM, eSIM, and roaming, register with your passport if you need a Chinese number, and test data and SMS before leaving the store.
Easy·20-45 minutes·May 14, 2026
TransportEssential
How to Use the Metro in China
Ride Chinese metros with Alipay Transport, local metro apps, ticket machines, security checks, transfers, and the correct exit.
Easy·5-10 minutes·May 14, 2026