Originally Posted by
moondog
I prefer to give people maps, circle places of interest, and send them on their way. This way, in addition to the driver knowing the way, so do my guests (Beijing's layout is about as idiot proof as they come).
Since Chinese people, as a rule, can't read maps (no idea why), I find showing a map to someone to ask the way fairly useless -- I tried several times my first couple of visits. However, I do agree with the passenger knowing the way being really useful. If one has an android phone, pre-loading an off-line map, with places of interest marked is absolutely invaluable, and doesn't require a data plan.
tb