The first time you land in Shanghai, you will do what everyone does. You open Google Maps. You watch the little blue dot drift across the screen, park itself in the middle of a building across the street, and politely refuse to tell you where you actually are. The GPS is about 150 meters off, and no amount of restarting your phone will fix it.
Welcome to Shanghai. Google Maps does not work here.
This is not a bug. It is a feature of Chinese law. All maps used in China must use a scrambled coordinate system, nicknamed the “Mars” system, and Google never licensed the corrected local data . The result is the “GPS drift” that every newcomer experiences — your pin landing anywhere from a few meters to a couple of hundred meters off .
By the way, the above scenario assumes that you are using your foreign SIM card’s roaming feature, or activated an eSim before coming to Shanghai and using its data. If you are using a Chinese SIM card or a Chinese WiFi connection, you won’t be able to open Google Maps at all, let alone GPS location being incorrect 🙂
The good news is that the solution is simple, and it has just become much easier for English speakers. The app almost every local uses is AMap, known in China as Gaode Ditu (高德地图) . And since early 2025, it officially speaks English .
Here is everything you need to know about setting it up, using it, and never getting lost in Shanghai again.
Why AMap, Not Google Maps?
Google Maps: Useless for navigation in China. The coordinate offset means your location is never where the map says it is. Public transport information is unreliable . Even with a VPN, the data is often outdated and inaccurate.
AMap: Used by over 800 million people . It uses the correct China data, so your blue dot sits exactly where you are standing. It has real-time traffic updates, detailed public transport routing, and now, a full English interface . It is not just a map; it is your all-in-one travel tool for getting around.
Setting Up AMap: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Download the Right Version
You have two options:
1. AMap Global: This is the international version, available on the App Store and Google Play . It opens in English by default and works well for newcomers. It is the recommended version for expats and visitors.
2. The Standard AMap App: If you already have this installed and it is in Chinese, you can switch it to English. Open the app, go to the user icon (Me), select Settings, then General (通用), then Language Settings, and select English .
Step 2: Set Up Without a Chinese Phone Number
This is where AMap has improved significantly.
For basic map and navigation: You can use AMap in guest mode immediately. No account, no phone number. You can walk, take the metro, and find places without logging in .
For full features: If you want to save places, sync across devices, or use the taxi-hailing function, you will need to log in. AMap now supports login via phone numbers from 65 countries and regions globally . This means you likely do not need a Chinese SIM card just to use the app’s core features. Download AMap Global, and you should be able to register with your current foreign number.
Step 3: Download Offline Maps
Once you have the app set up, go to “Me” > “Offline Maps.” Download the Shanghai map (roughly 50 to 150 MB). This means your navigation will keep working even if you lose data signal in a basement mall or on the metro .
How to Use AMap Like a Local
1. Find Anything: The “Copy-Paste” Trick
You can type “The Bund” or “Jing’an Temple” and AMap will find it. But for smaller locations, restaurants, or clinics, English search can be unreliable. The trick every long-term resident uses:
Copy the Chinese name or address of your destination into the search bar.
Ask your hotel, the venue’s WeChat, or a Chinese-speaking friend for the Chinese name. Paste it into AMap, and it will find the exact location every time. Keep your destination’s Chinese text on your clipboard before you leave.
2. Use the Metro and Bus
Type your destination, tap the route button, then choose the bus-and-metro icon. AMap will plan your entire trip :
- Which line to take
- Which platform direction
- Which exit to leave from
- How many stops
- Live arrival times for many buses
It will even tell you which carriage to board so you are standing exactly where the exit or transfer will be. No more running down the platform.
3. Hail a Taxi
This is where AMap quietly beats standalone ride apps. AMap does not own cars. Instead, its ride-hailing aggregator fires your request to DiDi, T3, CaoCao, and around a dozen licensed fleets at once, then shows you the fare estimate and how many cars are nearby . When DiDi alone shows nothing, the aggregator often still finds you a ride.
How to pay: The ride charges through Alipay or WeChat Pay. You do not need a bank card linked directly to AMap. If you have added a foreign Visa or Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay and linked that wallet, you are ready to go.
Pro tip: Stand exactly on the pickup pin. Do not stand “near” it. Drivers circle the block and will cancel if you are not at the exact spot.
4. Use the “Addictive” Features
- Traffic-light countdowns: At many junctions, AMap shows the seconds left on the red light. It is genuinely useful when driving or cycling.
- Nearby Search: Tap the categories to find the closest metro exit, ATM, toilet, or pharmacy.
- Indoor Navigation: AMap supports indoor navigation in many malls and airports .
AMap vs Apple Maps vs Baidu Maps
Apple Maps: If you have an iPhone, Apple Maps uses the correct China data. It is a quick, fully-English way to get your bearings. It does not have taxi-hailing or the same level of local detail as AMap. I use it as a fast backup.
AMap: The all-rounder. Transit, taxis, live traffic, all in English. Use this for anything beyond a quick “which direction.”
Baidu Maps: Has a rich place database for exploring, but English support is weaker and the setup is heavier.
Common Problems and Quick Fixes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| English reverted to Chinese after an update | Reopen Me, Settings, Language and set English again. Updates sometimes reset it. |
| No English option at all | Update the app, or install “AMap Global” from your app store. |
| Your dot drifts or is in the wrong place | GPS can wander among tall towers. Step into an open area for a moment and it will re-center. |
| Search is not finding a place | Get the Chinese name and paste it directly into the search bar. |
| The route looks like the long way | Check the alternative routes before setting off. AMap sometimes picks an odd path and is slow to reroute. |
The Bottom Line
AMap is not just a map. It is how you will navigate Shanghai’s 25 million people, its labyrinthine metro system, and its hidden lane houses without spending your first week lost and frustrated.
Set it up before you need it. Download the offline map. Get the Chinese address of your destination on your clipboard. And watch your blue dot sit exactly where you are standing.
You will not just survive Shanghai. You will navigate it like a local.
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