Do not rely on Google Maps as your only navigation app in mainland China. Google services are blocked on ordinary mainland internet connections, and being able to open a map does not guarantee reliable local routing. Set up a locally usable map and save your destination’s Chinese address before arrival.
The UK government’s China travel advice lists Google among blocked services. This guide concerns mainland China; Hong Kong and Macau have different internet environments.
Which map should you prepare?
| Option | How to prepare |
|---|---|
| AMap / Gaode | Install the official multilingual app and test your hotel and airport routes. |
| Baidu Maps | Check whether you can use its current interface and find your destination in Chinese. |
| Google Maps | Treat it as a supplementary reference, not your only arrival-day navigation plan. |
| Saved address and route screenshots | Keep the Chinese place name, street address and hotel contact details available without a connection. |
AMap is no longer only a Chinese-language option. Shanghai’s official portal reports English support and a July 2025 expansion adding 14 further languages. See how to switch AMap to English for the labels and settings to look for.
Can you download Google Maps for offline use in China?
Do not assume a mainland destination can be downloaded. Google’s offline-map help states that downloads are unavailable in some countries or regions. Check whether the actual area can be downloaded and test it before travel. A screenshot or cached map is not the same as a working offline navigation download.
Google also says offline maps do not provide walking, cycling or public-transport directions. Offline driving does not include live traffic or alternative routes. Those limits matter for visitors who plan to walk and use Shanghai’s metro.
Will roaming or a VPN make it work?
Connectivity depends on the provider and route used by your connection. Ask your roaming or travel-data provider about Google-service access, cost and limitations before buying. A portable Wi-Fi device is not automatically an international connection.
Do not treat a VPN as a guarantee of map access or up-to-date local data. The UK travel advice notes licensing requirements for online services such as VPNs. Check the applicable rules and keep a navigation option that works on your actual connection.
A practical arrival checklist
- Save your hotel’s Chinese name, address and contact number.
- Test the airport-to-hotel route in your chosen app, including the correct terminal and final walking section.
- Keep route screenshots and a written address available without data.
- If a pin looks wrong, compare the venue name and address and confirm the entrance with the hotel or venue.
For onward travel, see using DiDi in China and our China SIM-card guide. An embedded Google map on a website should not be treated as an access workaround.