Navigating cities in China can feel confusing at first, especially if you’re relying on familiar tools like Google Maps. While Google does sometimes work with a VPN, we found it unreliable and often inaccurate when it came to directions, walking routes and transport hubs.
Once we switched to Amap (also known as Gaode Maps), everything started to make much more sense.
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Why Google Maps Can Be Unreliable in China
Even with a VPN, Google Maps doesn’t always reflect up-to-date or accurate mapping data in China.
From our experience, Google Maps struggled with:
- Accurate walking routes
- Alleyways and smaller streets
- Large transport hubs
- Clear station naming
- Showing which train station made the most sense for where we were staying
This became especially frustrating when booking trains.
Booking Trains and Station Confusion
When booking trains in China, you’ll often be presented with multiple stations for the same city. For example:
- North
- South
- East
- West
Google Maps didn’t clearly show which station was closest to our accommodation, which left us second-guessing bookings and worrying we’d chosen the wrong one.
When we reached out to Trip.com customer support, they told us that the Chinese mapping app Gaode (Amap) is what they rely on themselves.
That was the turning point.
Amap (Gaode Maps) – The Map App That Actually Works
Amap is one of the most widely used navigation apps in China and once we downloaded it, things became far clearer.
Good to know:
- Amap has an English version
- It works well without needing a VPN
- It shows accurate walking routes, roads and transport hubs
- It clearly displays train stations and their locations
Using Amap made it much easier to:
- See which train station was closest to our accommodation
- Understand how far stations actually were from the city centre
- Plan realistic travel times
A Reality Check on Train Stations
One thing we quickly realised is that most train stations in China are not central. In many cities, stations are at least 30 minutes outside the main areas.
Because of this:
- Choosing one station over another often doesn’t matter as much as you think
- It usually comes down to where you’re staying
- Didi rides are affordable and easy to use for transfers
Amap helped us see this clearly and stopped us overthinking our bookings.
Using Amap While Exploring on Foot
Amap also proved incredibly useful when exploring cities on foot.
We often found ourselves wandering through:
- Back streets
- Small alleys
- Local neighbourhoods
The kind of places that pull your attention away and make you forget where you’re heading.
Amap helped us:
- Reorient ourselves when we got a little lost
- Find our way back without stress
- Keep exploring without constantly worrying about navigation
It allowed us to enjoy getting lost, without actually being lost.
Does Amap Replace Google Maps Completely?
We still kept Google Maps on our phones, but it wasn’t our primary tool in China.
Our approach:
- Use Amap for navigation, stations and walking
- Use Google Maps occasionally for saved places or general reference
- Avoid relying on Google Maps alone for transport decisions
Once Amap was set up, it became our default.
Final Tohu Tip
If there’s one app that made travelling around China feel easier, it was Amap (Gaode Maps). It removed confusion around train stations, improved walking directions and helped us navigate unfamiliar cities with confidence.
Download it before you arrive, give yourself a little time to get used to it, and you’ll quickly wonder how you managed without it.
🔗 More China Travel Guides
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🌍 Travel Planning Resources
These are the tools we personally use and trust when planning our travels from finding a place to stay to booking activities, transport and insurance. Let your Tohu guide you — Trust the Journey and follow what feels right for you.
- ✈️Flights – Compare great deals with Trip.com then Kiwi.com for flexible, affordable options.
- 🚐 Campervans – Compare rental deals with Motorhome Republic across Aotearoa and beyond.
- 🛏️ Stays – Compare hotels on Trip.com and TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
- 🚐 Rental Cars – Compare prices and book through Airport Rentals by Motorhome Republic for trusted brands and easy airport pickup.
- 🎟️ Activities – Browse tours and experiences on Viator, Get Your Guide, or TripAdvisor
- 🚆12Go Asia – Compare and book trains, buses, and ferries across Asia in one place with 12Go.
- 🛡️ Travel Insurance – Get flexible short-term coverage with Insubuy for your next holiday.
- 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with a VPN – We recommend Surfshark VPN for secure and private browsing while travelling. It’s fast, affordable and works worldwide — perfect for public Wi-Fi at airports, cafes and hotels.
- 📱 Travel eSIM – Stay connected with Airalo
- 💼 Lounge Access – Treat yourself with Priority Pass – for UK or US
- 🎶 Events & Concerts – Book tickets worldwide through Ticketmaster.
🧭 Note: Some booking links can be a bit shy when you’re using a VPN. If one doesn’t open, try pausing your VPN or switching to a different server location or secure Wi-Fi network to get things flowing again.
“A good map helps you arrive. A great one lets you explore without worry.”