Those that have been to China how have you navigated?  Google is blocked.  I hear mix stories that they foreign simcards are not blocked but some say they are also blocked.  Some say VPN.  Even if it works Google might not have all the info re: like public transportation.  Have any of you guys relied on Chinese apps and if so how have you used it if you could't read Chinese?  Or have you mainly gone back to a paper map and pretty much like stuck to subway stations and using your orientation skills?  

I had to use Baidu Maps for their street view.  Google doesn't support that.  


Cheers.