The Most Frequently Used Online Maps in China

The Most Frequently Used Online Maps in China

2016-08-22

Traveling in China or only in Beijing, now you must have at least a map with you so that you can easily search for the destination you are hoping to visit. You can buy a piece of paper map to guide you, but this map cannot be enlarged or shrunk to suit different needs during your travel. In addition, a paper map needs folding if you hope to bring it with you. This is not convenient. More importantly, a paper map cannot recommend routes for specific destinations. Yet, every one of us needs recommended transportation routes to reach certain destinations. Therefore, an online map becomes quite helpful in terms of the above functions. Which maps are most frequently used by travelers in China?

1. Baidu Map

Baidu Search Engine is the largest search engine in China and is now used by hundreds of millions of used in China. It has developed an online map which serves its search engine users as well as numerous tourists traveling daily across the country. It is considered the most frequently used map in China but it is not perfect. In fact, sometimes if you search some less popular places, it may offer improper or wrong directions. But generally speaking, it is a good online map.

Website:http://map.baidu.com/

2. Amap

Now the most competitive rival of Baidu Map is Amap, which is so far highly appreciated by Chinese users and it has become the map cooperator of iPhone in China. This online map is more accurate than Baidu Map but its PC version seems not as good as that of Baidu Map. Now more and more mobile users in China are inclined to download the app of Amap because of its accurate information and directions. However, it is not accurate if you travel to some rarely visited sites such as Jiankou Great Wall in Huairou District, Beijing. Probably all the online maps become stupid in these areas.

Website:http://ditu.amap.com/

3. Tencent Map

Tencent QQ, as we all know, is the most widely used chatting tool online (if not including the mobile chatting tool WeChat of the company), somewhat like Skype, Facebook’s chatting function or Google+’s Hangouts. Tencent also has other business tasks, among which QQ Map plays an important role. Although it includes all the functions we need for travel, it is relatively not so frequently used as Baidu Map or Amap. Both its PC and mobile systems are available.

Website:http://map.qq.com/

4. Sogou Map

The widely-used product of Sogou is its Chinese typing method, but this company also has other products including Sogou Search Engine and Sogou Map. To tell this truth, I rarely use this online map, but its functionality should be as good as that of QQ Map or any other online map. Like QQ Map, it is not as frequently used as Baidu Map or Amap. But to make it as reference, I don’t think this is a bad idea.

Website:http://map.sogou.com/

5. 360 Map

The 360 Anti-Virus Software is so far the largest and most powerful anti-virus software in China. It is not satisfied with its anti-virus software business and so it has also developed its own search engine service, in which 360 Map is included. Now it is the second largest search engine in China, and so it might attract large numbers of netizens to use its special map. Its functions are similar to that of Baidu Map, Tencent Map or Sogou Map. To be honest, I don’t often use it, but some must use it in China. Therefore, it is one more choice of online map use for you.

Website:http://ditu.so.com/

6. Bing Map

Bing Search Engine still shares the cake of search with Baidu Search Engine, 360 Search Engine, Sogou Search Engine and others in China, although the share is quite limited. Bing Map is one that Chinese people use to search for native English expressions more often than any other purpose. Therefore, that means its map will not be often opened to search transportation routes or tourist attractions compared with the maps I have mentioned in the above paragraphs. However, it is something people cannot ignore if you come to China, for you know, Google Maps is not available in China.

Website:http://cn.bing.com/ditu/

Note: The above maps all have mobile versions but not all of them have apps. So far, 360 Map and Bing Map don’t have Chinese apps available to download for your mobile phone.

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