When planning a free trip to South Korea, the Google Map map tool APP that Wendy was familiar with, the current map data in South Korea is not complete and the function is not strong. At this time, you can only download other APP map tool software to assist in itinerary planning. It is recommended to use four map applications, namely Kakao, NAVER, Hanyou.com, and Hanchao, as the selection targets.
Compare the four major Korean map tools
Hanyou and Hanchao are Chinese cultural map software, both computer and mobile versions are available. Hanchao has more Chinese graphics resources, but the mobile version is inefficient and often crashes; Hanyou.com’s mobile version is more efficient and provides Simplified and traditional automatic conversion and integration of street view query functions, the biggest feature of the two is that the sales of tourism products are the source of revenue, and the map application provides a conspicuous purchase channel.
Both Hanyou.com and Hanchao provide simple traffic route query. The biggest advantage is that it provides obvious airport shuttle bus stop signs. It is very convenient to query the airport buses near the hotel. The information signs of subway stations are also very complete. The real-time information of the arrival of public transportation vehicles ultimately depends on the two major map softwares of Korea, Kakao and NAVER, which also provide very useful street view and CCTV real-time traffic conditions.
The biggest advantage of Kakao and NAVER mobile version software is that it can plan traffic routes and display arrival information in real time, and it is very useful when inquiring about buses to scenic spots. NAVER provides Chinese cultural interface and Chinese graphic resources, but only simplified version and low Chinese cultural level, common Chinese and English mixed information; Kakao only has English interface, but you can customize the Chinese data favorites, and the data can be linked to the Daum map desktop Version synchronization, it is useful to plan your itinerary.
NAVER map tool
NAVER (네이버) is a search engine owned by South Korea's Naver company, and it is also the largest portal site in South Korea. Its status in South Korea is similar to that of Google in the United States. The provision of map services is also a natural development.Taiwan’s well-known mobile phone communication software "LINE" has been widely acclaimed since its launch in 2011. It is the star product of Naver Group. In 2014, it acquired Taiwan’s WhosCall caller identification and blocking app. It is also a very useful software service.
NAVER has an early layout in Taiwan, Japan and other international markets. NAVER Map has four language interfaces and graphics resources, including Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, and provides LINE and Facebook account login functions. You can customize favorites, desktop and mobile versions of favorites. It can be synchronized, which is very convenient when planning a trip.In addition, the software integrates the real-time arrival information of buses and subways, which is very convenient for transportation route planning and actual riding.
NAVER's Chinese interface and map data are an advantage, but it has also become the biggest disadvantage. Because its Chinese map data is not complete, it is common for Chinese and English maps to be mixed. Generally, it is not a problem to use it. However, when using taxi software, it is not conducive to copy and paste. You can't understand the destination information when you show it to the driver. It's better to switch to Korean or English at this time.
Pros
- Provide LINE and Facebook account login
- Provide simplified Chinese graphics
- Provide CCTV and street view maps
- My favorites can be customized names
Cons
- Only provide simplified Chinese interface and graphics
- Common Chinese and English mixed format of image data
NAVER Map computer desktop version official website:https://map.naver.com/
NAVER Map App official software download:App Store|Google Play
KAKAO map tool
Kakao (카카오) is the largest instant messaging service in South Korea. In 2014, it merged with Daum (다음), the second largest portal site in South Korea. Its most well-known product is "Kakao Talk". Kakao Talk was released in 2010 and popularized overseas in Taiwan, Japan, etc. The degree is not high, but many people love the characters and products of the Kakao friends series.
Kakao is the original product of the mobile phone era. After merging with the Daum portal, the computer version of the website resources can be supplemented. However, after the map software resources are merged, the computer version of the website and account are still based on Daum, but Kakao can be used to log in. The mobile version maintains the Kakao name and account, and the account linking and data synchronization procedures for the two are more troublesome.
Kakao is mainly based in South Korea, and its expansion in overseas markets is slow. Kakao Map only has two operating interfaces and map resources in Korean and English. It is more troublesome for overseas tourists to use, but my favorites can be customized names, which can slightly make up for this shortcoming.In addition, Kakao T, also a subsidiary of Kakao, is currently the largest taxi-hailing service in South Korea. After using Kakao Map to check the map data, it is copied to Kakao T to set the destination. There is no obstacle to calling a taxi in South Korea.
Pros
- Provide accounts to bookmark my favorite locations
- Customize the name for a single favorite location
- Kakao T is convenient for calling a taxi
Cons
- Trouble setting up the desktop version of collection data synchronization
- Only provide Korean and English interface and graphics
Daum Map computer desktop version official website:http://map.daum.net/
Kakao Map App official software download:App Store|Google Play
Korean Tour Map Tool
Founded in 2012, Hanyou.com, an online travel e-commerce website from China, provides travel information and product reservation services, including travel guides in Korea, hotel reservations, attractions itineraries, ticket reservations, WiFi services, merchant coupons and other services. The website and mobile booking platform, and the Hanyou map developed under its banner, also provide a computer version of the website and a mobile version of the APP, and incidentally are included in the travel product sales of Hanyou.com.
Hanyu Map has complete Chinese map information. Although the number of maps is not as good as Hanchao, the biggest feature is that it provides one-click automatic conversion between simplified and traditional, which is very friendly to users in Taiwan and Hong Kong.Korean Tour map also has a street view query function, but it does not currently provide an account login function, and it is not possible to bookmark my favorite places, which is not conducive to advance itinerary planning. This is a place for improvement in the future.
The operation of the Hanyou Map APP is still smooth. This is praiseworthy for China’s software capabilities, but it cannot use phone numbers to query business locations. Although it has a simple route planning function, it cannot query real-time arrival information of subways and buses. These are all Korean You.com is not a local Korean manufacturer, and is weak in information connection.In addition, there are obvious advertisements for Korean game products on the screen of the Korean game map, which is also a free exchange condition that users must accept.
Pros
- Provide Simplified and Traditional Chinese automatic conversion settings
- Provide street view map view
Cons
- Lack of account collection favorite places
- Can't find location using phone number
- Unable to query the real-time arrival information of subways and buses
Download the official software of the Map App on Korean Tour:App Store|Google Play
The official website of the desktop version of Korean Tour Map:http://maps.hanyouwang.com/
Hanchao Map Tool
HANCHAO was founded in 2016 and belongs to the product of KONEST of South Korea. The company used to operate a travel website for Japanese tourists for a long time. It has only recently built a Chinese-language Hanchao website for free travellers in China, just like Hanyou.com sells. Travel-related products such as hotels, itineraries, tickets, Wi-Fi, etc., also have two APP applications: maps and subways.
The biggest disadvantage of Hanchao Maps is that the software fluency is not good, the map loading speed is quite slow, and crashes are often encountered. It is obvious that software development capabilities or server configuration need to be improved.However, Han Chao not only has the most abundant Chinese map resources, but also provides account login function, which is convenient for planning the itinerary and collecting my favorites in advance. However, the software experience is quite poor, and it is often irritating when used in the field. This is a priority. Improvements.
The richly illustrated map of Hanchao not only has clear indications of the airport bus like the Korean tour, but also rich subway information. Even the elevator location is very clear. It is very useful for parents and children. It can also be used to inquire about the business by phone number, but it is also only available. It has a simple route planning function and cannot query the real-time arrival information of public transportation. In the case of software technology needs to be improved, I believe that such real-time information will not be available in the short term.
Pros
- Provide accounts to bookmark my favorite locations
- You can use the phone number to look up the location
- The subway map is clear and there is elevator information
- The most abundant and complete information of Chinese picture materials
Cons
- The software runs slowly and easily crashes
- Simplified and Traditional Chinese automatic conversion settings are missing
- Street view map view is missing
- Cannot click on the map to query directly
Hanchao Map App official software download:App Store|Google Play
The official website of the computer desktop version of Hanchao Map:https://map.hanchao.com/
Which map tool is right for me?
According to Korean government policy and National Security Law, sensitive map information should be stored on servers in South Korea and obfuscated in national security locations, making Google, which is proud of borderless cloud services, unable to provide maps such as public transportation, satellite imagery, and traffic navigation. The functions, the number of map resources and the update speed are greatly limited, giving other Korean map service providers a broad living space.
In view of the advantages and disadvantages of each map tool software such as NAVER, KAKAO, Hanyou, Hanchao, etc., everyone's needs and habits are different. The best way is to download each one and try it for yourself, but before downloading, also According to the following suggestions and guidelines, first check to see which tool is more suitable for you.
.Who should use NAVER maps?
People who often travel to South Korea prefer to use Chinese interface and graphic resources, have LINE or Facebook accounts, and like to take the bus and walk around.
.Who should use KAKAO maps?
People who often travel to South Korea do not exclude English or Korean interface and graphic resources, have a KakaoTalk account, and often have the need to call a taxi.
.Who should use the Korean Tour map?
People who occasionally travel to South Korea can only accept the Chinese interface and map information, and will use the map software to check at any time, and both subways and buses will be used.
.Who should use the Han Chao map?
Those who rarely travel to South Korea can only accept the Chinese interface and map information, and hope to travel to the main attractions at one time, mainly by parent-child travel by subway.
