cali88

Can I still use my Google map app when I travel to China?

Or there specific apps people are using when getting from one direction to another?

Or are travelers relying on the maps hotel give them (the big paper) ones.

rkkwan

Google Map requires cellular data, and if you're driving, the directions are suspect, depending on area.

There is a really awesome app, with just one major caveat. 高德地图 is free, excellent and up-to-date database on everything, accurate driving directions; and even have downloadable database to use while offline. It's really the best mapping app for a specific country I've seen. Caveat? The app is in Chinese only.

Personally, I use Maps With Me when travel abroad with no cellular data plan. No navigation, but downloadable database okay and I mainly just want to know where I am. The cheap paid version allows me to save favorites so I have the sites I want to go pre-entered.

cali88

Thanks for the information. I am willing to pay for the data charges for any map app as long as it gets me from point A to point B.

rkkwan

Pls chk your data rate before saying that. It may cost more than hiring a private guide driving you.

And do you really need turn-by-turn navigation aide? Unless you're driving yourself, why would you need it?

AngelinaDiaz

高德地图 is a good maps for Chinese user, but I still insist google maps app is the best maps in china, it is more correct when I use it go go somewhere around, of course networking must be at a good condition

temppeternh

> Can I still use my Google map app when I travel to China?

Yes. Simply use it with wi-fi before setting out so it downloads and stores your local area on your device. Wi-fi is free in all but some of the most expensive hotels, and widely available in cafés in larger cities. You won't be able to conduct fresh searches in the middle of nowhere, but if you add bookmarks/pins for all your likely destinations before setting out, you will always be able to see where you are, and where you are in relation to those pins.

Be aware that the maps (Apple or Google), which come from the same sources of printed maps which are therefore not better, are lacking a lot of detail, often inaccurate, and rarely kept well up to date. But still very useful if only on wi-fi.

temppeternh

It should be added that you can buy a China Unicom SIM card for ¥100 including a lot of credit at almost any newspaper kiosk which will give you 3G data as part of the package for a very modest usage price, a fraction of roaming. Topping up is easy at innumerable shops, kiosks, and supermarkets.

AngelinaDiaz

a sim card is necessary, 3G data is very fast and stay able. when I use google map app on my iphone 5s, I event can see the small moving when I walk in a 200 M's way, that is great!

jobin

Everthing google in china is subject to censor's discretion. And the internet is as slow as molasses in january. I would prefer to 'get lost' rather than rely on the china govt telling where to go, or not.

JPDeM

A lot of incorrect information above.
Google mas do not require a data connection. It works on the GPS satellites. But you need a data connection to start your journey so that google can built the itinerary. You can do that using the hotel wifi before you leave.
I have driven using Google maps in China and it was very accurate. I rented a car driving from Lanzhou to Xiahe (fairly remote place) and while there were some contradictions with the Chinese GPS supplied with the rented car, Google maps was right. I also used to drive around Shanghai. Shanghai is not an easy place to drive around and it was very precise giving me turn-by-turn instructions in english.
It is also possible to buy a prepaid SIm card from China Unicom. you can get a pretty good data package for the cheap. you do not need to keep data turned on all the time especially when using maps as you need a GPS signal, not a cell data signal to walk around.