Is there an English app like Google maps for China? - China Forum - Tripadvisor
Browse all 147,381 China topics »

Is there an English app like Google maps for China?

Watch this Topic
China forums
reading55reading
Esperance, Australia
Level Contributor
62 posts
3 reviews
Is there an English app like Google maps for China?
6 years ago

To anyone from China and others that have been travelling around China,

As I won't be able to access Google maps on my Anroid mobile/cell phone in China, is there any other apps in English that I can download that I can use to assist me with directions? Can anyone recommend a good English map app that works well in China, as in one that translates the street symbols into letter form and then tells people where to go? I heard all the streets and shops are all in Chinese symbols, which would be hard for me because I can not read any symbols. Any suggestions to make it easier with directions when I walk from place to place? Thanks so much!

Edited: 6 years ago
Report inappropriate content
JPDM 🇨🇦🍷🍷🍷
Austin, Canada
Level Contributor
53,750 posts
965 reviews
606 helpful votes
1. Re: Is there an English app like Google maps for China?
6 years ago

You can't translate a street name. Maps, even Google maps, shows the name in "letters" but it is still in Chinese. On the street, street names are in letters. Like https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Dongdaqiao_Lu_street_sign.JPG

Google maps will work if you have a VPN. Otherwise try maps.me.

For a translation app, you have Google translate (not blocked in China) or iTranslate. This is to translate sentences but not street names or hotel names that can't be translated.

Report inappropriate content
reading55reading
Esperance, Australia
Level Contributor
62 posts
3 reviews
2. Re: Is there an English app like Google maps for China?
6 years ago

Oh thanks for that! I was wrong, I thought all the street signs were only going to be in symbols. Can you recommend an app that is similar to Google maps? I'm assuming Google maps won't work since Google is blocked in China? Did you use a map app whilst you were over there. If so, what did you or other travellers use? I am travelling throughout china for 6 weeks so a map app will certainly help me a lot as I like to walk a lot. Cheers.

Report inappropriate content
Traveling with 2 toddlers
Jakarta, Indonesia
Level Contributor
6,548 posts
67 reviews
35 helpful votes
3. Re: Is there an English app like Google maps for China?
6 years ago

It is called “maps.me”

Make sure that you download all the region that you wish to visit

Report inappropriate content
JPDM 🇨🇦🍷🍷🍷
Austin, Canada
Level Contributor
53,750 posts
965 reviews
606 helpful votes
4. Re: Is there an English app like Google maps for China?
6 years ago

I mistuped above, I was recommending maps.me

I always use Google maps but I have a VPN.

Report inappropriate content
5. Re: Is there an English app like Google maps for China?
5 years ago

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

What are forum guidelines?
Watch this Topic
China forums
Get answers to your questions about China
Ask a question
Top questions about China
  • What to do in China?
  • Intro to Chinese Food
  • What are the daily expenses of independent travel?
  • It is my first time to travel to China, can you help me out?
  • When and how much to tip in China?
  • What are toilets like in China? What should I expect.
  • Group tours feature forced shopping stops & Avoiding SCAMS
  • What should I expect at Chinese hotels and how do I deal with potential problems?
  • What is it like to get around China using Flights, Trains and Buses?
  • This my second time to China. Where to go?
  • I would like to learn a few words of Mandarin before my trip. Any suggestions?
Show less
Beyond destination forums
See all »
© 2024 Tripadvisor LLC All rights reserved.
Terms of UsePrivacy and Cookies StatementSite MapHow the site worksContact us

This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.