Lost Laowai

Lost Laowai

Bilingual Map App for China

7 ratings
5 reviews

Archived App (Last seen on 23 Jan 2026)

This is an archived listing of the app previously available on the App Store.

Although the app is no longer distributed by Apple, you can still view its description, screenshots, version history, ratings, and metadata for reference.

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • October 16, 2018
  • March 27, 2019

Features

Lost Laowai screenshot #1 for iPhone
Lost Laowai screenshot #2 for iPhone
Lost Laowai screenshot #3 for iPhone
Lost Laowai screenshot #4 for iPhone
Lost Laowai screenshot #5 for iPhone
Lost Laowai screenshot #6 for iPhone
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About

Navigate China with confidence using this bilingual map application. It provides directions in English, Pinyin, and Chinese for public transport and walking, making it easy for foreigners to explore. Discover places and search for addresses in multiple languages.

Bilingual map and place names (English, Pinyin, Chinese)
Public transportation and walking directions
Search in English, Pinyin, or Chinese
Discover points of interest
Save favorite and Home/Work locations
Up-to-date map and satellite imagery
Show original description

What's New in Lost Laowai

1.1

March 27, 2019

* The compass is now working! See which direction you're facing so you know which way to walk! * Removed a pesky Chinese-only language prompt that appears the first time you run the app. * Added a "safe view wrapper" to the app's screen so that it displays correctly no matter what phone model you're using. (The screen perimeters of some Apple devices are not perfectly rectangular, such as the new iPhone XR where the top notification info bar is divided into two parts by the front camera and mic.) * General overall speed increase.

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User reviews

Not many listings. Apple Maps is better.

Using Apple Maps is much easier. It is also bilingual and you can put in the name of any venue and it comes up with public transit routes. This app has hardly any listings, many of the venues aren’t even open for business anymore. The navigation of the UI is outdated. You have to keep clicking ‘back’.
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The only decent English Chinese map app

The only decent English Chinese map app

Can not copy and get info, and text shrinks with zoom

Here are some major flaws:
1. You can not get any info on a building, address, store, location ect.
2. Add you get no info, you can also not copy any building name or such, what would be helpful for DiDi as one example
3. The more you zoom in, three more the words and subplots shrink. Making it impossible to read the Chinese characters

Not useful this app
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Fantastic Multi-Lingual App in China!

This app does most of the translating for you so you never need to switch between you translator and your default mapping application to figure out what names mean. If you are looking for something in particular, such as a restaurant, metro or bus station, this will conveniently show you in both English and Chinese. This is a must have tool when visiting China (or even if you are a foreigner like me, just having this for daily use has many benefits).
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Does not work

Doesn’t work well. Difficult to find how to use. Pinpoint jumps all over the immediate area as do other China apps.

Developer apps

FAQ

What is Lost Laowai?

Lost Laowai is a bilingual map application designed to help foreigners navigate China. It translates Chinese maps and transit information into English, Pinyin, and Chinese characters.

Does Lost Laowai have ads?

No, Lost Laowai is ad-free, providing an uninterrupted navigation experience for its users.

What devices does Lost Laowai support?

Lost Laowai is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices.

How often is Lost Laowai updated?

The app was last updated on March 27, 2019, with version 1.1. Further updates will depend on developer activity.

What is the age rating for Lost Laowai?

Lost Laowai has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users.

Can I search for places in English with Lost Laowai?

Yes, Lost Laowai allows you to search for places using English, Pinyin, or Chinese, and view place names in all three forms.

Does Lost Laowai offer offline maps?

The provided description does not specify offline map capabilities. It relies on up-to-date map and satellite imagery, suggesting an online connection is needed.

What are the main benefits of using Lost Laowai for China travel?

Lost Laowai simplifies travel in China by providing bilingual directions for buses, trains, subways, and walking, and allows searching and viewing place names in English, Pinyin, and Chinese.