Frequently Asked Questions

Every route is a series of step-by-step photos with short directions. Open the route at your pickup point, then follow each photo to the next - like a photo walkthrough of the streets.

No. imhere is designed for narrow streets and old towns where GPS is unreliable. The photos themselves tell you where to turn.

Yes. Once you open a route, it works offline, so you can navigate without mobile data.

Viewing routes is free. Creating and sharing your own routes uses a small number of points, which you earn by registering and viewing routes.

Yes. Everything works in your phone's browser - no download required for creating or following.

Every route is a series of step-by-step photos with short directions. Open the route at your pickup point, then follow each photo to the next - like a photo walkthrough of the streets.

No. imhere is designed for narrow streets and old towns where GPS is unreliable. The photos themselves tell you where to turn.

Yes. Once you open a route, it works offline, so you can navigate Kyoto's lanes without mobile data.

Viewing routes is free. Creating and sharing your own routes uses a small number of points, which you earn by registering and viewing routes.

No. The photo steps replace GPS - follow the pictures of each corner, alley and landmark.

No. imhere uses real photos of corners and landmarks, so you navigate by sight - reliable in narrow lanes and under covered bazaars.

Yes. The directions are simple, and the photos need no translation. Routes are available in multiple languages.

No. Follow the photos of corners, courtyards and stairways instead of a map dot.

No. The photos show the exact corners, alleys and landmarks to follow.

No. Narrow medieval lanes confuse GPS, but photos of each archway and plaza never lie.

No. The stairways and alleys are hard for GPS; photos of tiles and viewpoints are easier to follow.

No. Whitewashed lanes are a GPS nightmare; photos of doors, steps and tavernas work better.

No. The photos of street stalls, shrines and alley corners guide you without GPS.

Yes. The photos need no translation, and directions come in multiple languages.

No. Tokyo's addresses confuse even locals; photos of shrines, signs and alleys are easier to follow.

No. The photos of hanok lanes, stairs and landmarks guide you without GPS.

No. Follow the photos of lanes, trees and landmarks - no Chinese needed.

Yes. This is exactly what imhere is for: navigate China without Chinese, using photos instead of words.

No. Between canals, GPS drifts badly; the photos of bridges, campi and calli are the reliable guide.

Yes. With photo steps you match each doorway and alley to the picture. It is the only navigation that works where GPS does not.

No. The medieval lanes confuse GPS; photos of corners, signs and stairways guide you reliably.

No. Narrow lanes and frequent power cuts make GPS unreliable; photos of temples and shop fronts work better.

No. The dense vicoli confuse GPS; photos of bar signs, santuari and courtyards guide you reliably.

No. The identical lanes and motorbike traffic make GPS stressful; photos of shopfronts guide you clearly.

No. The arcades and Durchhäuser confuse GPS; photos of archways and courtyards guide you.

No. The identical bridges and hofjes confuse GPS; photos of railings, doors and houseboats guide you.

Yes. All Beijing metro stations have English signs and announcements, and ticket machines have an English language option.

Not directly at the machines. Use Alipay (international version works with foreign cards) or buy a transport card at the station service window.

From PEK to the city center expect 80-120 yuan, from PKX 150-200 yuan. Always use the official taxi queue or a ride-hailing app with an upfront fare.

Many boutique hotels hide inside hutongs. Save an imhere route from the nearest metro stop before you arrive - the photo steps guide you through the alleys without needing to ask locals.

If you're going toward the city center, yes - it's the world's fastest commercial train and saves about 30 minutes. But it only goes to Longyang Road, so you still transfer to Line 2.

Hongqiao (SHA) is closer to the center and better connected, but most international flights use Pudong (PVG). Check your airline - both are on Metro Line 2.

Use Alipay or WeChat Pay (both accept foreign cards with the international versions) - scan the QR code at the gate. Some stations also sell single-journey tokens with cash.

Many boutique hotels are inside lane houses. Save an imhere photo route from the nearest metro station before you go - the photos guide you gate by gate.

Yes. Line 3 and all other Guangzhou metro lines have English signs and announcements at every station.

About 45 minutes on Line 3 to Tiyu Xilu or the Tianhe area, depending on transfers.

The metro (Line 3) is the rail option today. There is a planned high-speed rail link; until it opens, the metro, buses and taxis cover the airport.

Open an imhere route from the nearest metro or bus stop before you leave - the photo steps guide you through the old-city lanes without needing to ask directions.

No. All major metro systems have English signs and announcements. Ticket machines have an English mode.

Yes. Both have international versions that accept foreign cards. Set them up before arriving.

Yes. Use the official airport taxi queue or the Didi app with an upfront fare.

Use a photo-based navigation route (like imhere) from the nearest metro stop - the pictures guide you gate by gate without needing to ask anyone.

No. In narrow streets and old towns, photo-based directions are more reliable than GPS because they show you what to look for.

Yes. Once a route is opened, the photos and directions work offline - no data plan needed.

Yes. imhere is built for UGC: walk the path, photograph each turn, add directions and share with a code.

imhere covers old towns worldwide - Kyoto, Rome, Istanbul, Fez, Venice, Prague and more, plus user-created routes everywhere.

Very. Rides cost 3-10 yuan (about 0.5-1.5 USD), far cheaper than taxis.

Yes. Show the driver your destination in Chinese characters, or use Didi with its English interface and upfront fare.

The metro is usually faster in rush hour; taxis win with luggage and at night. Compare the rail line and traffic before choosing.

That's where photo navigation helps - save an imhere route from the station to the door before you arrive.

Creating a route uses a small number of points, which you earn by registering and viewing routes. Viewing routes is always free.

No. Everything works in your phone's browser - no download required for creating or following.

Between 20 and 80 meters is ideal - short enough to match photos easily, long enough to make progress.

Yes. You earn points from views, likes and tips, which you can use to promote or renew your routes.

No. The route opens in any phone browser - no download needed. Just send the link.

Yes. That's the whole point - photo steps work exactly where GPS and map pins fail: courtyards, lanes, apartments above shops.

Yes. Once the route is opened, it works offline - perfect for guests with no roaming data.

Creating a route uses a small number of points, which you earn free by registering and by views of your routes.

No. The photos show how to get there - the secrecy of the venue itself stays intact. Customers arrive mystified and delighted instead of frustrated.

No. The route lives at a simple link and works in any browser - put it in your bio, messages, or a QR code on a card.

Viewing routes is free. Creating routes uses points you earn by registering - enough for a small business to create its own route today.

Photo steps work perfectly indoors and underground where GPS fails - that's exactly what they were built for.

Yes. You walk, photograph, and add one-line directions in the browser. No app, no coding, no account setup beyond a free registration.

Better than text - photos need no translation. Directions are short and can be written in your guests' languages.

Routes last for the period you set, and renewing is simple. Most businesses renew monthly so directions stay current when streets change.

Yes. If a street closes or a shop changes, edit the route to match - your link stays the same, so no need to re-share.