WeChat Location Sharing in China (2026): Tencent Maps Pins, Live Location, and How to Navigate Shared Places

In China, people don’t “text you an address” the way they might elsewhere.

They send you a WeChat location.

It might be:

• a restaurant pin
• a metro station entrance
• a hotel lobby
• a meetup point outside a mall

If you’re a foreign traveler, this creates a common confusion:

“I have the pin. Now what? Which map is this? Why doesn’t it match what I see in Apple Maps?”

The answer is simple: WeChat location sharing is tightly connected to Tencent Maps (腾讯地图). You don’t need to become a Tencent Maps expert—but you do need to know how to open pins, share your location, and convert shared locations into the map app you actually use.

This guide gives you a practical workflow so you can:

• open WeChat pins reliably
• navigate to shared places in mainland China
• share your location back (live or static)
• avoid the classic “wrong entrance” meetup problem

Quick Answer

WeChat location sharing in China typically uses Tencent’s mapping system. When someone sends a location pin in WeChat, you can:

1. Open the pin inside WeChat (Tencent map view).
2. Tap navigation options to open it in a map app if available.
3. If you use Apple Maps or another app, copy the Chinese name/address from the pin and paste it into:
   • Baidu Maps (great for POIs)
   • Amap/Gaode (strong navigation)
   • Apple Maps (convenient baseline on iPhone)

If you’re not using WeChat yet, you should be—WeChat is “everything” in China: WeChat Pay for Foreigners (2025).

Table of Contents

• Why WeChat Locations Matter in China
• Tencent Maps vs Baidu vs Amap vs Apple Maps (In One Table)
• How to Open a Shared Location Pin in WeChat
• How to Navigate to a WeChat Pin (Best Workflows)
• How to Share Your Location (Static and Live)
• Meeting Someone in China: Avoid the “Wrong Entrance” Problem
• Troubleshooting: Common WeChat Location Problems
• FAQ
• Related Resources

Why WeChat Locations Matter in China

WeChat is not just messaging. It’s:

• the default way people coordinate plans
• the default way people share places
• often the default “contact method” for businesses, venues, and hotels

Even if you never pay with WeChat Pay, you will still benefit from:

• receiving location pins
• sending your location to drivers/hotels/friends
• opening navigation quickly without language friction

This is especially important because many China place names are not standardized in English. Sharing a pin avoids spelling games.

Tencent Maps vs Baidu vs Amap vs Apple Maps (In One Table)

You don’t need loyalty. You need the right tool for the moment.

Tool	What it’s best for	Why travelers care
Tencent Maps (inside WeChat)	Opening WeChat pins fast	It’s the default for shared locations
Baidu Maps	POI search, transit detail, lots of listings	Often stronger for finding places and entrances
Amap/Gaode	Navigation, driving routes, clean routing	Great backup when one app is confused
Apple Maps	Convenience for iPhone users	Works without VPN; good default in big cities

If you want a broader overview: Google Maps Alternatives in China (2025).

How to Open a Shared Location Pin in WeChat

When someone sends a location in WeChat, it usually appears as a card with:

• a small map preview
• a place name (often Chinese)
• sometimes an address

Step-by-step

1. Tap the location card in the chat.
2. WeChat opens the map view (often Tencent map interface).
3. You’ll see:
   • the pin
   • your current location (blue dot)
   • buttons for navigation/sharing (varies)

What to do immediately (the 10-second habit)

Before you start walking:

• screenshot the pin screen
• note the Chinese name (copy if possible)

This prevents the classic problem: your phone loses signal underground, and you can’t re-open the map quickly.

How to Navigate to a WeChat Pin (Best Workflows)

There are multiple ways to go from “pin received” to “arrived.”

Here are the workflows that actually work for foreigners.

Workflow 1 (best): open pin → navigate inside WeChat → follow directions

This is the simplest. If WeChat’s internal navigation is clear enough, just use it.

Pros:

• no app switching
• the shared pin stays intact

Cons:

• less detail than Baidu/Amap in some situations

Workflow 2: open pin → copy Chinese name/address → paste into Baidu/Amap

This is the “pro traveler” workflow.

It’s useful when:

• you need a specific entrance
• the place is inside a large mall
• you want better transit routing

Use these guides:

• Baidu Maps in English Guide
• Amap/Gaode in English Guide
• Apple Maps in China (2026)

Workflow 3: open pin → share to your map app (if available)

Depending on your phone and WeChat version, you may be able to open the location in another app directly. If you see an option like “Open in Maps,” use it.

If you don’t see it, don’t fight the UI—use Workflow 2 (copy/paste Chinese).

Why Chinese text is your friend

Even if you can’t read it, Chinese place names and addresses are unambiguous. English names can be:

• inconsistent
• translated differently
• missing entirely

So when navigation matters, copy the Chinese text and use it.

Save WeChat Locations (So You Don’t Lose the Pin)

WeChat pins are incredibly useful—but only if you can find them again.

Travel reality:

• you receive a pin in a busy group chat
• you scroll away
• the next day you can’t find it

If you save locations proactively, your trip becomes smoother.

Save a location to Favorites (WeChat 收藏)

WeChat has a built-in “Favorites” feature (often labeled 收藏). Depending on your version, you can save:

• messages
• images
• links
• location cards

Practical workflow:

1. Long-press the location card in chat
2. Tap “Favorite / 收藏”
3. Add a short note like “Dinner meetup – Friday”

Now you can find it later without hunting through chats.

Create a “China trip” saved message thread (self-chat)

Many travelers use a simple trick: a personal “notes chat.”

Options:

• a private chat with yourself (if your WeChat supports it)
• a private chat with a trusted friend where you only send logistics

Use it to store:

• hotel pins
• meeting points
• attraction pins
• Chinese addresses

This turns WeChat into your trip control center.

Screenshot is still the fastest backup

Even if you save pins, screenshots are unbeatable when:

• you lose signal underground
• your phone is on low battery mode
• you need to show something quickly to a driver or security guard

Screenshot:

• the location card
• the pin screen with the Chinese name
• any gate/exit sign photo

Convert WeChat Pins Into “Your” Map App (Apple/Baidu/Amap)

WeChat opens pins inside its own map view first. That’s fine for basic navigation, but travelers often prefer Baidu/Amap for detail or Apple Maps for convenience.

Here are the reliable conversion methods.

Method 1 (best): copy the Chinese name/address and paste into Baidu/Amap

This works even when there is no “Open in…” button.

1. Open the WeChat pin
2. Copy the Chinese place name or address (or screenshot + translate)
3. Paste into:
   • Baidu Maps for POI coverage
   • Amap for navigation

Why this is powerful:

• Chinese text is precise
• you avoid English name mismatch
• you get local entrance details

Method 2: share the pin to someone who uses Baidu/Amap and ask for the correct entrance

If you’re traveling with a friend who reads Chinese, this is a cheat code:

• forward the pin
• ask “Which exit/gate should we use?”

This is especially useful for:

• malls
• large stations
• scenic areas with multiple gates

Method 3: use Apple Maps for quick “big-picture” routing

Apple Maps is often good enough to get close—especially in big cities.

Then use Baidu/Amap for the last 500 meters if:

• the entrance is unclear
• you’re on the wrong side of a highway
• the area is fenced

We explain this “two-map strategy” here: Apple Maps in China (2026).

How to Share Your Location (Static and Live)

Sometimes you need to send your location back—especially when meeting someone or coordinating pickup.

Static location (send a pin)

Use this when:

• you’re at a fixed place (hotel lobby, exit gate)
• you want someone to navigate to you

In WeChat, the flow is usually:

1. Open the chat
2. Tap “+” (attachment menu)
3. Choose “Location”
4. Choose “Send location” (static)
5. Confirm

Live location (share movement)

Use this when:

• you’re walking to a meetup point
• you’re trying to find each other in a crowded place

The flow is usually:

1. Open the chat
2. Tap “+”
3. Location
4. “Share live location”

Live location can reduce chaos dramatically in:

• big malls
• metro exits
• tourist areas

Sharing with drivers/hotels

If you’re coordinating pickup or arrival, sending a WeChat location pin is often easier than typing an address.

For ride-hailing pickup logic (airports/stations), see: DiDi Pickup in China (2026).

WeChat Locations for Practical Travel Tasks (Not Just Meeting Friends)

Once you understand pins, you can use WeChat locations for daily travel logistics.

1) Sending your hotel location to a driver

If you’re taking a taxi or coordinating a pickup, a WeChat pin is clearer than an English address.

Best practice:

• open your hotel in your map app (Baidu/Amap)
• copy the Chinese address
• send the address or a pin in WeChat

This works even if the driver doesn’t speak English because they can navigate using Chinese text.

2) Saving the “correct entrance” to an attraction

Many attractions have multiple gates. If someone local sends you the right entrance pin, save it. It can save you 20 minutes of walking around fences.

If you’re booking tickets, pair this with the ticketing guide: How to Book Attraction Tickets in China (2026).

3) Coordinating inside a mall

Malls in China are huge. The right meetup strategy is:

• share a pin for a specific entrance or a specific store
• share live location for 5–10 minutes while you converge

4) Coordinating at metro stations

Metro stations can have many exits. Instead of saying “I’m at the station,” say:

• “Exit D” + a pin + a photo of the exit sign

This is the difference between a 2-minute meetup and a 20-minute scavenger hunt.

Meeting Someone in China: Avoid the “Wrong Entrance” Problem

China has a special “meetup trap” that hits foreigners:

You’re both at the right place—but different entrances.

This happens because:

• malls have multiple entrances
• metro stations have many exits
• parks and scenic areas have multiple gates
• roads and fences force detours

The 3-step meetup method that works

1. Pick a meetup point that is unambiguous:
   • a specific gate number
   • a specific metro exit (Exit A, Exit D, etc.)
   • a named landmark (a specific Starbucks, a specific mall entrance)
2. Send a WeChat location pin of that exact point.
3. Send a photo of the landmark sign (optional, but very effective).

Why “send a photo” is so effective

A photo solves language issues instantly:

• gate signs
• pillar numbers
• mall entrance names

If you only do one thing to avoid meetup chaos, do this.

Privacy and Safety (Simple, Practical Rules)

Sharing location is useful—but you should do it intentionally.

When to use live location

Live location is best when:

• you’re meeting trusted friends
• you’re coordinating in a confusing area (station/mall)
• you want to reduce back-and-forth messages

Turn it off when the meetup is finished.

When not to share live location

Avoid live location sharing with:

• strangers
• random sellers or “helpers”

If someone you don’t trust asks you to share location, prefer sending a static pin of a public place instead.

Verify the place before you go

If you receive a pin from someone you don’t know well (or from a business account), sanity-check:

• does the location match the neighborhood you expect?
• does it match the Chinese name/address from your booking?

Using Baidu/Amap to confirm is a good habit.

Troubleshooting: Common WeChat Location Problems

Problem 1: The location pin opens but looks wrong

Fix:

• zoom out and confirm city/district
• compare with Baidu/Amap search using the Chinese name

Sometimes the pin is correct but your map context is unfamiliar.

Problem 2: I can’t copy the Chinese name/address

Fix:

• screenshot and use screenshot translation
• manually copy from a text line if available

Translation workflow: Best Translation Apps for China (2026).

Problem 3: The map opens but navigation buttons are unclear

Fix:

• use workflow 2 (copy/paste Chinese into Baidu/Amap)
• or just follow the pin visually if close

Problem 4: GPS is drifting or inaccurate

This can happen in:

• dense skyscraper areas
• underground malls

Fix:

• walk to an intersection/open area to stabilize GPS
• use a nearby landmark as an anchor
• switch map apps if needed

Problem 5: I’m trying to meet at a train station or airport

Use gate-based thinking:

• “Terminal 2, Gate 6” beats “outside arrivals”
• “Exit D1” beats “metro station entrance”

And use the DiDi pickup logic if cars are involved.

Mini “WeChat Location” Chinese Keyword Cheat Sheet

You rarely need to read Chinese fluently—but recognizing a few words helps you navigate menus and understand what someone is asking you.

Chinese	Meaning	Why it matters
位置	location	People will say “send location”
定位	pin / locate	Common in chats: “发定位”
发定位	send location	You’ll see/hear this request
共享实时位置	share live location	Live location feature
收藏	favorite/save	Save pins for later
附近	nearby	Find meetups near you

If you want a smoother translation workflow, set up offline translation before you arrive: Best Translation Apps for China (2026).

Pro Tips from CSK (How to Make WeChat Locations Work Like Magic)

Tip 1: Ask for a pin instead of an address

If you’re coordinating with a hotel, a friend, or a local guide, the fastest message you can send is:

• “Send location pin” (发定位)

Pins reduce misunderstandings instantly—especially when English names don’t match local names.

Tip 2: Always pin the entrance, not the place

In China, the “place” can be a whole complex. The entrance is what matters.

Good pin targets:

• metro exit
• mall entrance
• gate number
• a nearby convenience store as a landmark

This is the difference between meeting someone and walking circles around a fence.

Tip 3: Use live location for 5 minutes, not 50

Live location is best as a short “convergence tool”:

• turn it on while you’re walking to each other
• turn it off once you meet

This keeps it useful without turning it into background tracking.

Tip 4: When a driver is confused, send a pin + a photo

Drivers don’t need a paragraph. They need:

• a pin of where you are standing
• a photo of the sign/pillar/gate

This works even when language fails.

FAQ

Do I need to install Tencent Maps separately?

Usually no. For most travelers, Tencent Maps is “inside WeChat” for the purpose of opening shared pins. You only need a separate map app if you want better navigation details.

Which map app should I use once I open a WeChat pin?

If you want the easiest setup:

• iPhone: Apple Maps as default + Baidu/Amap as backup
• Android: Baidu/Amap as primary

If the location is complex (malls, stations, scenic areas), Baidu/Amap often provide better local detail than the embedded view.

Why does the English name not match what locals call the place?

Because many places are primarily known by their Chinese name. Use the Chinese text from the pin for accurate search and navigation.

Can I use WeChat location sharing without a Chinese phone number?

Yes. WeChat itself can work without a Chinese number, though some advanced features and mini-programs may behave differently. For phone number reality: Do I Need a Chinese Phone Number?.

Final Thoughts

WeChat location sharing is one of the easiest “China travel hacks” because it bypasses the hardest part of navigation: naming and spelling.

Open the pin, screenshot it, and if anything feels unclear, copy the Chinese name/address into Baidu/Amap. That workflow solves the majority of “I have the pin but I’m still lost” moments—and makes meeting people in China dramatically easier.

Once you get comfortable with pins and live location, WeChat becomes your coordination layer: you’ll spend less time explaining where you are, and more time actually moving through the city with confidence. It’s one of the fastest China skills to learn.

---

Related Resources

• WeChat Pay for Foreigners (2025)
• Google Maps Alternatives in China (2025)
• How to Use Baidu Maps in English
• How to Use Amap (Gaode) in English

Planning your China trip? The China Survival Kit includes step-by-step setup guides, checklists, and travel tools that work in China.

Last updated: January 2026