How to Find REAL Local Food in Chongqing: Use Amap’s Real Visitor Rankings (Even in English)
- cometodolphinunion
- Oct 4
- 4 min read
You think Google Maps works in China? Think again.
I’m from Chongqing. I’ve helped 100+ foreign travelers. One Brazilian friend used Google Maps to find “best hotpot.” He went to a fancy place. “It’s okay,” he said. “But not spicy like real Chongqing.”
I opened Amap (Gaode Ditu). Even in English mode. Tapped “Nearby.” Found a small shop. No English menu. Full of locals. He ate. “This is it!” he said. “Spicy. Rich. Real.”
Google Maps shows tourist spots. Amap shows real life.
Here’s the thing: Amap’s English version doesn’t yet have the “Sweep the Street Rank” (Saoshai Bang) button. But don’t worry.
The ratings you see in English are already based on real foot traffic — just like “Sweep the Street Rank.”
No fake stars. No paid reviews. Just data from 700 million users.
If a shop is busy every day — it ranks high. Even with no online comments.
This is why Amap’s ratings are more trustworthy than Dianping or Meituan.
How Amap’s Ratings Work (Better Than Other Apps)
Most review apps in China — like Dianping or Meituan — use user stars. But many shops pay for fake 5-star reviews.
Amap is different.
It uses real data:
How many people walk in?
Are they locals or tourists?
How long do they stay?
This means a busy local noodle shop can rank higher than a quiet tourist trap.
And this system works even in the English version of Amap.
You won’t see “Sweep the Street Rank” in English. But the ratings are still powered by real visits.
So when you search “hotpot” or “coffee,” the top results are the most visited — not the most advertised.
Best for: Food, coffee, massage, foot baths, bars, small shops.
How to Use Amap in English to Find Real Spots
Open Amap (Gaode Ditu). Switch to English (Settings > Language).
Tap the search bar. Type what you want: “hotpot,” “coffee,” “foot massage.”
Then tap “Nearby” (Fujin). You’ll see a list.
Now look at the ratings and visitor numbers — not just stars.
A high rating (4.8+) on Amap means real people go there daily.
Check the photos. Look for:
Crowded tables
Locals eating
Simple decor
Example: A UK traveler wanted coffee. Google Maps showed “Tianxing Coffee.” Fancy. Quiet. Only tourists.
He checked Amap. Found “Laojie Coffee (Laojie Kafei)”. Rating: 4.9. Photos showed a small, packed shop. 80% locals.
He went. “Best coffee in Chongqing,” he said. “And only ¥15.”
Tip: Sort by “Rating” or “Popularity.” Avoid places with perfect stars but few photos or reviews.
Find Real Hotpot Using Amap’s Smart Ratings
Everyone wants Chongqing hotpot. But most “famous” ones are for tourists.
Use Amap in English. Search “hotpot.” Tap “Nearby.”
Look for shops with:
High rating (4.7+)
Many visitor photos
Long wait times (check reviews)
No English menu (trust me, that’s good)
One Canadian couple found “Yiwei Laojie Hotpot (Yiwei Laojie Huoguo)” this way. Waited 40 minutes. “Worth it,” they said. “Spicy oil, fresh beef, loud locals — perfect.”
Skip places with low photos and high ratings. If no one posts pictures — it’s probably not busy.
Price tip: Real hotpot is ¥40–80 per person. Not ¥150.
Find Hidden Cafes & Bars
Chongqing has cool cafes. But they’re not on Google.
Use Amap in English. Search “coffee.” Tap “Nearby.”
Look for small shops in old neighborhoods:
Shancheng Lane (Shancheng Xiang)
Eling (Eling)
Ciqikou (Ciqikou) — but not the main street
A French woman found “Cloud 9 Cafe (Jiuyun Kafei)” in Shancheng Lane. “Tiny place,” she said. “But best latte. And the owner speaks English.”
For bars, search “bar.” Tap “Nearby.”
Try “The Cave Bar (Dongxue Jiuba)” near Jiefangbei. Hidden in a tunnel. Live music. High rating: 4.8.
Story: A German guy said: “I danced with locals. Drank cheap beer. Felt like I was in Chongqing, not a tourist trap.”
Find Real Foot Massage & Spa
Tired from walking? Chongqing hills are no joke.
Don’t go to fancy spas. Use Amap.
Search “foot massage.” Tap “Nearby.”
Look for places with high ratings (4.6+) and many photos of real customers.
One Australian woman found “Old Li Foot Care (Lao Li Zujian)”. “¥38 for 60 minutes,” she said. “Best foot massage ever. And the staff laughed at my Chongqing accent.”
Tip: Go after 19:00. Locals go after dinner.
I’ve used Amap for 8 years. I’ve tested Dianping, Meituan, Google Maps.
None are as real as Amap.
Even without the “Sweep the Street Rank” button in English, the ratings are still based on real people walking in.
One UK traveler said: “I used it to find breakfast. Found a noodle shop. Ate with taxi drivers. Best meal of my trip.”
A Canadian said: “I skipped the tourist spots. Found real Chongqing.”
You don’t need fake reviews.
You need real data.
Open Amap.
Use the ratings.
Eat. Drink. Relax.
Like a local.
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