The most useful language tool for an independent traveler is often not a phrasebook but a verified Chinese address card that can be shown to a driver, station employee or local helper.
What every address card needs
Save the venue's Chinese name, full Chinese address, telephone number and nearest recognizable landmark. For a hotel, add the booking name and check-in date.
- Chinese venue name in large text
- Full street address in Chinese
- Local telephone number
- Map pin or screenshot
- English name for your own reference
Verify before you travel
Copying an automatic translation can point to the wrong branch or a similarly named property. Use the hotel's official listing or ask the property to confirm its Chinese name and address.
Use screenshots, not only links
Map links may open in the wrong app or fail without data. Keep a clean screenshot that can be enlarged and shown without unlocking multiple accounts.
Stations and airports
Save the complete terminal or railway station name. A city may have several stations with similar English names, and showing only the city name is not enough for a driver.
Frequently asked questions
Should I show a taxi driver an English hotel name in China?
Use the verified Chinese hotel name and full address whenever possible. English names may not identify the correct property or branch.
What details should I save offline?
Save the Chinese name, full address, phone number, map pin, nearest landmark and your booking name.
Is a map link enough?
Keep a screenshot as well. Links can fail without data or open in an app the other person does not use.