Quick Answer

Save your hotel address in Chinese before you travel. Do not rely only on the English hotel name. In China, drivers, delivery riders, map apps and front-desk staff usually work best with the Chinese hotel name, full street address, district and phone number. Amap/Gaode Map is useful because official Shanghai guidance describes it as an English-supported map tool for overseas users and says it can generate routes for public transit, walking, biking and driving.

The safest format is: Chinese hotel name, full Chinese address, district/city, phone number, nearest landmark, and a map pin screenshot.

What to Ask Your Hotel For

Before arrival, ask your hotel or booking platform for:

  1. Hotel name in Chinese.
  2. Full address in Chinese.
  3. District and city.
  4. Hotel phone number.
  5. Nearest metro station and exit.
  6. A nearby landmark.
  7. Whether taxis and delivery riders should use a different entrance.

Example Format to Save

Hotel name: 上海某某酒店

Address: 上海市黄浦区某某路123号

District: 黄浦区, Shanghai

Phone: 021-xxxx-xxxx

Nearby landmark: near People’s Square / 南京东路

Note: use main lobby entrance for taxi pickup

Keep this in your notes app, screenshots, email and offline translation app.

How to Save It in Amap

  1. Copy the Chinese hotel name.
  2. Paste it into Amap/Gaode Map.
  3. Confirm the correct district and distance.
  4. Save the place as a favorite if the app allows it.
  5. Screenshot the map result with the Chinese name visible.
  6. Screenshot the walking route from the nearest metro station.

Chinese hotel chains often have several branches in the same city. Always check road name and district, not only the brand.

How to Use the Address with Taxi or DiDi

For DiDi, paste the Chinese name or address into the destination field. For a taxi driver, show the Chinese address and phone number. If the driver is unsure, ask the hotel to speak with the driver by phone.

Useful phrase:

请去这个酒店地址。

Please go to this hotel address.

If you are at an airport or train station, check whether pickup locations use a separate entrance, level or gate. The pin can be technically correct but still difficult for a driver to reach.

How to Use It for Food Delivery

For food delivery, include room number only if the hotel allows room delivery. Many hotels ask riders to leave food at the front desk, lobby shelf or outside pickup area. Save a short Chinese note such as:

请送到酒店前台。

Please deliver to the hotel front desk.

Common Mistakes

Saving only the English name

Drivers and riders may not recognize it. Save Chinese text.

Choosing the wrong branch

Check district, road and photos.

Forgetting the hotel phone number

A phone number helps drivers and riders confirm the location.

Relying on live internet only

Screenshots matter when roaming, VPN, Wi-Fi or app login fails.

Sources Checked

Last source check: 2026-05-27

  • A guide to using AMap in English — Shanghai Municipal Government

URL: https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-UsefulApps/20241213/59a549d4bdf1440c8e86251d5ac7d5a9.html

Supports: AMap/Gaode Map provides English support for overseas users and route planning for driving, public transit, walking and biking.

  • How to transfer between Shanghai airports and downtown — Shanghai Municipal Government

URL: https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Transportation/20231214/649e06ea38f74aaeb573fa2debbe97d3.html

Supports: Official airport-to-city options including metro, maglev and taxi pickup points/cost estimates for Shanghai airports.

  • NIA announcement on accommodation registration for foreigners

URL: https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147413/c196926/content.html

Supports: Hotels register foreigner accommodation with public security organs; non-hotel stays require registration within 24 hours, with online pilot channels described.

Disclaimer

App interfaces, payment rules, station practices, hotel policies and local procedures may change. Treat this guide as a source-checked practical guide, then verify important details with the official service, your hotel, transport staff or your card issuer before relying on it in an urgent situation.