How to Download Amap and Set to English: Ultimate Guide for Foreign Tourists in China
- Hansong Li
- Jan 18
- 4 min read
Stop Getting Lost in China—Master Amap’s English Version
Hey guys, let me tell you something I noticed. It happens to almost every foreign traveler in China, and it’s totally avoidable!
When you book a ride on Didi (China’s top taxi app), you type the destination in English. But here’s the hard truth: there’s no official English standard for Chinese place names.
So the same spot shows up in different forms across maps and apps:
“Temple of Heaven” (official name),
“Tiantan Park” (local term),
“Temple of Heaven Park” (tourist search)
—all appear on Didi, but only one takes you to the real site.
“West Lake” (English map label),
“Xi Hu” (pinyin, used on Amap),
“West Lake Scenic Area” (ticket site name)
—pick the wrong one? You’ll end up at a bus station 3km away.
“Chengdu East Railway Station” (official rail name),
“Chengdu East Bus Station” (nearby but unrelated),
“Chengdu East Transport Hub” (third-party label)
—one wrong tap costs you RMB 60 extra and 45 minutes.
“Yiheyuan” (the park—Amap drops you at the center, 1.2km from any gate),
“Yiheyuan North Gate” (metro sign—Didi sends you to a 500m-side road),
“Beigongmen Station Exit C” (Line 4 exit—30-second walk to main gate). Tap the first two? You’ll circle the park, sweating with no shade or water. Our link? Takes you straight to Exit C’s sidewalk—no guessing, no extra walk, no stress.
This isn’t your fault. It’s a translation gap and mapping precision issue built into the system. But good news: Amap (Gaode Map)’s English version has built-in taxi booking, and I’ve made it foolproof for you.
I packed my best tips into detailed guides for 7 cities. Here’s the game-changer:
✅ One-click Amap links for every attraction, restaurant and hotel—tap once, open the right location on Amap, book a ride instantly.
✅ One-click attraction ticket links.
✅ Local restaurants with real prices, no tourist traps.
✅ How to spot taxi scams (with Mandarin phrase cheat sheet!)
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Hangzhou.
Experience this Amap feature firsthand.
Amap is China’s top navigation app. Its English version works for taxis, subways and buses. It also shows real-time traffic and nearby eateries—solving your navigation troubles.
I’ve tested this process dozens of times. It takes just 2 minutes to set up. No more wrong destinations, no more wasted time. Let’s start!
How to Download Amap (Official Channels Only)
Stick to official website: https://www.amapint.com/en/ Or official app stores. Third-party links may have viruses. Trust me—this is the safest way.
For iOS Users
Open your local App Store. Search directly for “Amap” in the search bar.
Find the app with the blue map pin icon. Tap “Get” or the download button.
Wait 30 seconds to 1 minute. It installs automatically on your phone.
For Android Users
Go to Google Play Store. Type “Amap” into the search field.
Select the official Amap app. Avoid copycats with similar names.
Tap “Install”. It uses about 200MB of phone storage.
How to Download Amap and Set to English (Step-by-Step)
Amap opens in Chinese by default. Switch to English in steps—each takes less than 10 seconds.
First, open the Amap app. Look for the “Me” icon at the bottom right.
Tap it, then find the gear icon (settings) at the top right.
Select “General” from the menu. It’s easy to spot on the screen.
Next, choose “Language Settings”. A list of languages will pop up.
Tap “English” and confirm. The app refreshes in 2 seconds. Done!
Critical Notes to Remember (How to Download Amap and Set to English for Foreign Tourists in China)
Don’t make these common mistakes—they ruin your navigation experience.
Amap’s English version only works on mobile apps. Desktop browsers show Chinese.
For Southeast Asian tourists: Link Alipay to Amap for smooth payments. It’s better than Grab here.
For Western tourists: Use a stable VPN before downloading. It avoids app store errors.
English place names match official labels. No more confusion with pinyin variants.
Why This Matters for Your China Trip
Amap’s English version fixes navigation pain points. It’s more accurate than Google Maps in China.
It helps you find hidden gems, like local food stalls in Shanghai. Pair it with our Shanghai food guide for the best experience.
DolphinUnion’s one-click links work with Amap. They take you straight to attractions—no guessing.
(How to Download Amap and Set to English for Foreign Tourists in China)
Exclusive DolphinUnion Benefits
1. Free Tools: Download our two free PDFs—[Download the 9-City Preview Guide (Free PDF)] and [Download the China Travel Toolkit (Free PDF)]. They include Amap tips and translation guides.
2. Huashan Guide Offer: Our “Huashan Travel Guide” covers 12h-48h itineraries. It has one-click Amap links for peaks, plank walks and cable cars. Only $4.99—buy 2 get 20% off.
3. Free Access: Get free online access to Amap guides for 7 cities—Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Hangzhou. Test the one-click navigation now.
Navigate China Like a Local Today
Download Amap and set it to English now. It’s the first step to a stress-free trip.
Need help with Amap setup or Huashan itinerary planning? Contact DolphinUnion anytime.
Get a quote for private transport here: https://www.dolphinunion.com/transportation-services-china
Contact us:
- WhatsApp: +8615715728786
- WeChat: DolphinUnion
- Email: hansong@dolphinunion.com
Download the free toolkits first. They turn Amap into your ultimate China travel companion.
Comments