Gaode Maps China Guide 2026: Setup, English & Saving Locations

How to Use Gaode Map

A to Z

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© SsoeJini

Hello everyone! I'm SsoeJini,

a travel blogger specializing in Japan & China :)

Having traveled to China for N years now,

all I've really gained are some little tricks

to make my trips as easy as possible... haha.

But China is always changing so fast,

so I learn something new every time I visit.

People say Alipay makes you invincible,

but honestly, Gaode Map is also invincible, you know?

What's more, if you're an iPhone user, definitely use Apple Maps.

Apple Maps is based on Gaode Map,

so it's much better than Google Maps.

With these awesome tips, today I'll show you how to set up Gaode Map,

especially for those of us who can't write Chinese characters,

from initial setup to Korean language settings,

and even how to save your favorite spots with notes!

1. Gaode Map Download and Initial Location Settings

Whether you're on Apple or Galaxy, the app is the same,

but as an iPhone user,

I'll explain it based on the iPhone.

It's pretty much the same, so Galaxy users, follow along too!

Surprisingly, some people have trouble finding Gaode Map,

and I get it.

Why Gaode Map advertises itself in a way that doesn't look like a map app...

is a mystery to me... lol.

Anyway, AMAP is Gaode Map!

After downloading, you'll see a welcome message,

and you can freely skip the fitness part.

The important thing here is to

click 'Do Not Allow Location Access'!

If you allow location, it will register you in Korea,

and obviously, that's not China, right?

If you've already allowed location access,

change it to 'Do Not Allow' in your settings,

then come back to the app!

+ Once you're in China, you can change it to allow location.

As for the language, honestly, I don't notice a huge difference between Korean and Chinese,

but some say it works better in Chinese, so do what you prefer.

It's not perfect, but the app does have its own translation feature.

2. Gaode Map Registration

Next, shall we register for an account?

The in-app translation might be a little rough, but I trust you'll be able to follow along with these clear instructions!

Just follow the parts highlighted with a marker!

➡️ Click the person icon in the bottom right corner.

➡️ Then, click the blue button in the middle.

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Now you can register your account.

➡️ Press 'Continue to Service Terms'.

There are many other login methods at the very bottom,

but I just conveniently authenticated with my phone.

➡️ For Korea, it's +82, and

for your mobile number, enter from 10 onwards, not including the initial 0.

➡️ After entering your phone number, check the service agreement box.

You will then receive an authentication code.

➡️ Swipe to verify and

➡️ Enter the verification code, and you're all set!

3. How to Set the Language in Gaode Map (Korean)

If you want to set the language to Korean,

➡️ Click on the person icon in the bottom right corner

➡️ Click the gear-shaped Settings icon in the top right corner

➡️ Click on Korean/Language

Scroll down and select Korean, and you're done!

Even after doing this, it still often appears in Chinese, so you'll have to tap "translate" every time,

and while the translations might not be perfect, it's still quite useful!

4. How to Search and Create Memos in Gaode Map

Alright, even if you copy the Gaode Map names beforehand,

it's not easy to type Chinese characters on a Korean phone ㅠㅠ

Since searching in English on Gaode Map often doesn't yield accurate results,

I'll show you a method to search for your travel destinations using their Gaode Map names

and then save them as memos in Korean!

➡️ Head back to the home screen,

and type the place you want to visit into the search bar.

Qingdao Silk Road Songcheng Show Park Ticket Discounts, Operating Hours, Reviews [2026] | Trip.com3ha.in

I searched for 'Qingdao Silk Road' (known in Korean as Cheonggojeong), and I copied the Gaode Map name 青岛丝路 from Trip.com.

Since Trip.com is a China-based company,

it's excellent for copying Gaode Map names!

➡️ Search and click on your desired tourist spot.

You'll see a star icon at the bottom.

Next to the star is the share button, so if you're traveling with companions,

use it to share the Gaode Map link with them.

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➡️ Head back to the home screen and click the person icon in the bottom right corner.

Just like in the rightmost screenshot,

you can see all your saved locations in one convenient list.

Here's a little bonus tip: in the bottom right of the screenshot,

if you tap the blue arrow,

you can check transportation options,

so be sure to check for subway, taxi, bus routes, and more!

But if you only see those Gaode Map names,

you might wonder, "Where is this? What does it even say?"

Right?

That's why, if you tap the highlighted area in the left screenshot,

you can create a memo, just like in the right screenshot!

Here, you can add memos in Korean for essential information like "Cheonggojeong," "Silk Road," operating hours, and more!

It might feel difficult at first,

but you'll get used to it quickly as you use it!

So, I hope your trip to China

becomes a little more comfortable with Gaode Maps :)

Low-cost Flight Booking & Airfare Price Comparison | Trip.com3ha.in