Alibaba’s Amap App Sets Record with 360 Million Users on China’s National Day

Post by : Monika

Alibaba’s mapping application, Amap, achieved a remarkable milestone on October 1, 2025, by reaching over 360 million daily active users. This record number came on the first day of China’s extended National Day holiday, which also coincided with the Mid-Autumn Festival. This combined holiday period is one of the busiest travel times in the country, as millions of people move across cities and provinces for family visits, vacations, and cultural celebrations.

Amap’s Growth and Features

Amap, a product of Alibaba, has been widely used in China for navigation services, similar to Google Maps in other parts of the world. Over the years, the app has grown beyond basic navigation to include lifestyle services like restaurant recommendations, hotel bookings, and travel guides. This expansion is part of Alibaba’s broader strategy to compete with other local platforms such as Meituan, which has long dominated the lifestyle services market in China.

In September 2025, Amap introduced a new AI-powered feature called “Street Stars.” This feature provides curated recommendations for restaurants, hotels, tourist destinations, and entertainment spots.

Street Stars uses artificial intelligence to rank venues based on popularity, user reviews, and proximity. It also helps users discover new places and experiences during travel, making it more convenient to plan trips and outings.

To encourage the use of this feature, Amap launched a promotional campaign worth 1 billion yuan, which is about $140 million. These promotions included discounts for ride-hailing services, coupons for in-store purchases, and offers for dining and shopping. By combining AI recommendations with financial incentives, Alibaba successfully attracted millions of users to the app during the holiday period.

Record User Engagement

The National Day holiday is an important time for travel in China, and this year it was extended to eight days, giving families more time for vacations. The holiday’s overlap with the Mid-Autumn Festival, which involves family reunions and cultural celebrations, further increased travel and consumer activity.

During this busy period, Amap’s user engagement reached unprecedented levels. Over 360 million users accessed the app on October 1 alone. This figure represents a new record for the app and demonstrates the importance of mapping and navigation services during large-scale travel periods. Many users relied on Amap not only for directions but also to find restaurants, tourist spots, and accommodation during their trips.

Alibaba’s Stock Performance

The success of Amap during the National Day holiday had a positive impact on Alibaba’s stock in Hong Kong. On October 2, the company’s shares rose by 4%, following a review by JPMorgan, which increased its target price for Alibaba from HK$165 to HK$240. The stock upgrade was based on the strong performance of Alibaba’s digital services, including Amap, and the company’s ability to attract millions of users through innovation and promotions.

Investors see Amap’s growth as an indicator of Alibaba’s overall strength in the digital services market. The app’s ability to integrate AI recommendations, lifestyle features, and travel-related promotions shows that Alibaba is expanding beyond traditional e-commerce into areas that directly engage consumers in their daily lives.

Travel Trends During National Day Holiday

The National Day holiday is one of the largest annual travel periods in China. With millions of people traveling by rail, air, and road, transportation and navigation services experience high demand. On the first day of the holiday, China’s national railway system recorded 23.13 million trips, an increase of 8% compared to the same day last year. This rise in travel activity highlights the need for reliable navigation and mapping services, and it explains why Amap saw such a high number of daily active users.

Tourist destinations across China also saw heavy foot traffic. Popular cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Guangzhou were filled with travelers visiting cultural landmarks, shopping districts, and entertainment venues. Many people used Amap to plan their routes, locate parking, and find local attractions, which contributed to the app’s record usage.

AI Integration and User Convenience

One of the key factors behind Amap’s success is its use of artificial intelligence to provide personalized recommendations. The Street Stars feature, in particular, helps users make informed decisions by showing highly-rated options based on reviews, popularity, and location. AI-powered suggestions reduce the time and effort required for planning trips, dining, and sightseeing.

For example, a user visiting Shanghai might open Amap and see a list of the top-rated restaurants nearby, along with reviews and distance information. The app can also suggest hidden gems that are less crowded, improving the travel experience. Additionally, users can receive notifications about promotions and discounts, helping them save money while exploring new places.

Competition in the Digital Services Market

Amap faces strong competition from other Chinese platforms that offer similar services. Meituan, for instance, has a large user base for lifestyle and local services, while Baidu Maps focuses primarily on navigation. Despite this competition, Amap has carved out a unique position by integrating navigation, lifestyle services, AI recommendations, and financial promotions into one app.

This comprehensive approach allows Amap to serve as a one-stop solution for travelers and locals alike. By combining convenience, technology, and promotional incentives, Alibaba has successfully increased user engagement and expanded the app’s market share.

Economic Impact

The record usage of Amap during the National Day holiday also reflects broader economic trends in China. Increased travel, restaurant visits, and shopping indicate strong consumer spending during this period. Promotions from apps like Amap encourage local businesses to attract more customers, supporting restaurants, hotels, and retail stores.

Alibaba’s strategy of integrating financial incentives with digital services helps stimulate economic activity while also enhancing the company’s brand. By offering ride-hailing discounts, in-store coupons, and other promotions, Amap encourages users to spend money, benefiting local economies and strengthening Alibaba’s position in the market.

Technology and Innovation

Amap’s success highlights the importance of technology and innovation in modern consumer services. Artificial intelligence allows the app to provide personalized recommendations, predict user preferences, and optimize travel routes. These capabilities make it easier for millions of users to navigate crowded cities, find services quickly, and enjoy their holidays.

Alibaba continues to invest in AI research and development, which has contributed to the app’s growth and popularity. The company’s ability to leverage technology effectively differentiates it from competitors and attracts both users and investors.

Future Prospects

Looking ahead, Amap is likely to continue growing in popularity as China’s travel and consumer activities expand. The app’s integration with other Alibaba services, such as e-commerce, ride-hailing, and digital payments, provides additional opportunities for growth. Users can seamlessly plan trips, order food, and make payments all within the same platform.

Alibaba may also expand Amap’s AI capabilities, providing even more personalized recommendations and services. As the app evolves, it could become an essential tool for travelers, urban residents, and local businesses, solidifying its position as a leading digital services platform in China.

Alibaba’s Amap app has set a new record with over 360 million daily users on the first day of China’s National Day holiday. This achievement demonstrates the app’s growing importance in navigation, lifestyle services, and AI-driven recommendations.

By offering innovative features such as Street Stars and combining them with financial incentives, Alibaba has successfully attracted millions of users. The app’s performance has also had a positive impact on Alibaba’s stock, highlighting the company’s strength in the digital services market.

The record usage reflects broader trends in consumer behavior, travel, and technology adoption in China. As Amap continues to innovate and expand its services, it is likely to play an increasingly important role in the daily lives of millions of Chinese users.

Amap’s success is also an example of how technology, AI, and strategic promotions can drive user engagement and economic activity. With China’s growing mobility and digital adoption, apps like Amap will continue to shape the way people travel, explore, and spend money during major holidays and beyond.