Getting around · Shenzhen app guide
How to use Amap in Shenzhen: maps, metro and addresses
Amap is a practical tool for navigating the gaps in a Shenzhen trip—finding the correct building, identifying the right metro exit, and confirming if a destination is actually walkable. Set up the app before you travel, and always keep the Chinese addresses of your locations handy. A translated name is rarely a substitute for a confirmed, precise location.
How to Install and Configure Amap
Amap is also known as Gaode Maps or 高德地图. The current international store listing is called AMap Global. On Apple’s App Store, confirm the developer is AutoNavi Information Technology Co. Ltd.; the official Android listing uses the package com.autonavi.minimap. Use the store links below instead of downloading from an unfamiliar website.
The iPhone version includes English, and Shanghai’s official visitor site has documented the launch of Amap’s English map. However, this does not guarantee that every business name or linked service will appear in English. Open your installed version, check the language settings, and try searching for a Shenzhen destination before you rely on the results. Note that menus can vary depending on the device and the specific release.
Pre-Trip Checklist: Three Destinations to Map
Start by listing your hotel, your arrival point, and your first appointment. Get the Chinese name, full address, and a map location from the hotel or your host. Keep these details together in a phone note so you can access them without searching through your messages.
For any appointment, include the company name, building, floor, room, and a contact number. A map pin can get you to the general property, but it might leave you at the wrong entrance. Ask your host specifically which entrance visitors should use and if reception needs your name in advance.
- Install and open Amap while you have a reliable connection.
- Allow location access when you need directions from your current position.
- Search each destination and compare its address with the one your host supplied.
- Keep a screenshot of the location and a separate text copy of the Chinese address.
Choosing the Right Route: Walking vs. Metro vs. Car
Amap provides routes for walking, driving, cycling, and public transport. For a visitor, the most useful comparison is usually walking versus the metro versus a car. Pay attention to the first and last walking sections as well as the main part of the route.
If the metro option requires a transfer, check the walking involved before committing, especially if you are carrying luggage or samples. If a driving estimate looks appealing, allow extra time to find the pickup point and the entrance at the destination. Treat the displayed arrival time as a planning estimate, not a guaranteed appointment time.
Before starting any route, verify that the map begins where you are standing. If you are planning a trip for tomorrow from a hotel but are currently somewhere else, change the starting point manually.
Navigating Shenzhen’s Railway Stations
Shenzhen Railway Station, Shenzhen North Railway Station, and Futian Railway Station are three distinct locations. Shenzhen’s transport bureau places Shenzhen Railway Station in Luohu, Shenzhen North in Longhua, and Futian Railway Station at Yitian Road and Shennan Boulevard. Searching for the city name alone will not provide enough detail for a train connection.
Copy the exact departure station from your booking into your map search. Do the same for the arrival station on the way back. Check the entrance or exit shown in your route against the physical signs when you arrive; do not assume the nearest metro entrance is the same as the railway departure entrance.
Visiting Markets and Suppliers in Shenzhen
When visiting Huaqiangbei, ask for the specific market building, stall, or floor, rather than accepting 'Huaqiangbei' as a complete meeting address. For a supplier appointment, request the Chinese company address and a location pin from the person who will meet you.
Compare the pin with the address before you leave. If they do not match, ask the host to clarify the discrepancy. Do not choose the first search result that has a similar English name. If you have several appointments in one day, group the confirmed locations on the map before setting times; a simple list of meetings can still result in an inefficient travel schedule.
Troubleshooting: What to Do When a Location is Wrong
If an English search yields several plausible results, paste the Chinese name of the business. Check the district and street, then ask the business to confirm the correct location. Translating an English name back into Chinese can sometimes result in a different name entirely.
If your current position appears wrong, check your mobile data and location permissions, and then compare the map with a street sign or known entrance before you leave. Keep the saved address available so reception or a driver can assist you even if the app is not functioning correctly. A screenshot is a useful reference, but it will not provide live route updates.
For an important appointment, ask your host for a clear meeting point, such as a named entrance or reception desk. This specific instruction is often more useful than attempting another map search.