44 beautiful and old maps of China

The story of mapmaking in China stretches back to ancient times, with its roots deeply entrenched in the country’s rich history. During the earliest periods, maps in China were simple and often interlaced with myths and legends.

Such primitive maps, while rudimentary, offered insights into the world’s understanding, balancing both tangible geography and symbolic interpretations. One notable example from this era is the “Yu Gong” or “Tribute of Yu” from the “Book of Documents”, which depicted the nine provinces of ancient China in a manner that mingled geographic detail with legendary tales, like mountains where the sun was believed to rise.

However, as the Han dynasty dawned, there was a significant evolution in Chinese cartography. Maps transformed from mere symbolic representations to detailed tools critical for governance, military strategies, and burgeoning trade routes. The works of Pei Xiu, often considered the “Ptolemy of China”, serve as notable examples from this period. His emphasis on scale, standardization, and accuracy laid foundational principles for Chinese cartography. This era also saw monumental efforts like the commissioning of comprehensive atlases during the Sui Dynasty, which meticulously portrayed the vast empire’s landscape, complete with its administrative divisions, intricate waterways, and vital roads.

It entered its golden age with the invention of the compass during the Song dynasty (11th century) and reached its peak in the 15th century when the Ming dynasty admiral Zheng He.

With the Song Dynasty came another pivotal moment in the history of Chinese mapmaking: the invention of the compass. This new tool catalyzed a renaissance in cartography. The maps from this era are characterized by their heightened precision, attention to detail, and emphasis on accurate surveys. Innovations, such as the introduction of grid lines and consistent scales, elevated the art of mapmaking to new heights. The “Atlas of the Tracks of Yu” from this era encapsulates this scientific approach, capturing topographical details with unparalleled clarity. The Ming dynasty furthered this legacy, with figures like Admiral Zheng He charting courses to distant lands. His epic voyages, stretching as far as East Africa, were underpinned by advanced navigational maps like the “Mao Kun map”, representing the zenith of 15th-century Chinese cartography.

Over time, from simple beginnings steeped in myth to the refined survey maps illustrating vast explorations, China’s journey in the realm of cartography not only underscores its innovative spirit but also showcases its profound contributions to the world’s understanding of geography.

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1706 Veteris Orbis Climata ex Strabo — A rare and beautifully engraved map of the old world divided into seven climatic zones according to the Ancient Greek geographer Strabo.

Bonne Map of China, Korea, Japan and Formosa — A beautiful example of Rigobert Bonne’s c. 1770 decorative map of China, Korea (Corea), Japan and Formosa (Taiwan). Extends from Tibet and Chinese Tartary east to Japan and south to Hainan.

Bonne Map of Chinese Tartary, Mongolia, Manchuria and Korea (Corea) — A beautiful example of Rigobert Bonne’s 1770 decorative map of Chinese Tartary.

Bonne Map of Tonkin (Vietnam) China, Formosa (Taiwan) and Luzon (Philippines) — A beautiful example of Rigobert Bonne’s 1771 uncommon map of southeastern China.

Raynal and Bonne Map of Asia — A fine example of Rigobert Bonne and Guillaume Raynal’s 1780 map of Asia.

1780 - Raynal and Bonne Map of China, Korea and Japan

1780 Raynal and Bonne Map of Southeast Asia and the Philippines — A fine example of Rigobert Bonne and G. Raynal’s 1780 map of the Southeast Asia and the Philippines.

1815 - Thomson Map of China and Formosa (Taiwan) — This fascinating hand colored 1814 map by Edinburgh cartographer John Thomson depicts China.

Carte de L’Empire Chinois de Du Japon 1836. — This is a beautiful 1836 Hand colored map of China and Japan.

Asien bei Beginn des zweiten jahrhunderts vor Christus. Zeit der Seleuciden und des Turk Reiches der Hiong-nu in Hoch-Asien. — This fascinating hand colored map depicts Asia at the beginning of the 2nd century B.C.E.

Johnson's China. — This is Johnson and Browning’s 1861 map of China, first edition.

Coast of China from Hainan Isld. to Hie-che-chin Bay – Coast of China from Hie-che-chin Bay to San Moon Bay — This hand colored map is a lithographic transfer, dating to 1863, by London cartographer Edward Weller.

Map of Hindoostan, Farther India, China, and Tibet. — A beautiful example of S. A. Mitchell Jr.’s 1864 map of the India, Tibet, China and Southeast Asia, including Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

East India Archipelago [Eastern Passages to China andJapan] — This is an extremely rare and highly desirable 1876 Imray blue-back chart depicting Taiwan (Formosa) and northern Luzon. Covers the regions between 16°30′ to 25°40′ North Latitude and between 188°20′ and 130°20′ East Longitude.

Sketch Map of Peking drawn for Crows “Handbook for China”. — This rare map is a plan of Beijing (Peking) China.

Map of Soochow for Travelers. — This extremely rare map is a street plan of Soochow ( Suzhou ) China.

Map of Shanghai. — This 1932 map depicts the city of Shanghai, China.

War Progress in Shanghai. — This is a rare and beautiful 1937 map of Shanghai China.

A dramatic and stunning 1950 view of the Summer Palace, in Beijing or Peking, China. The stunning Summer Palace or Yihe Yuan, overlooks Lake Kunming and lies just northwest of Beijing proper.

Asiae Nova Descriptio — A scarce and stunning first edition example of Abraham Ortelius’ important 1572 map of Asia.

Plan de la Ville et du Port de Macao. — This is a rare map of the city and port of Macao (Macau) dating to 1764 by Jacques N. Bellin.

L'Emire deRussie, en Europe et en Asie. 3eme Fuille. — An attractive example of R. Bonne’s c. 1780 map of Eastern Russia, Tartary, and Siberia. Covers from Nerczinsk and Chinese Tartary north to the Arctic and eastward as far as Alaska.

A New Map of China, From the Latest Authorities. — An exceptionally beautiful example of John Cary’s important 1801 map of China and Korea.

1818 Pinkerton Map of China (with Taiwan or Formosa) — John Pinkerton’s highly decorative map of China, published 1818.

1844 Spruneri Map of Asia in the 15th and 16th Centuries (Ming China) — This fascinating hand colored map depicts Asia in the 15th and 16th centuries.

1853 Mitchell Map of China — An extremely attractive example of S. A. Mitchell Sr.’s 1853 map of China.

1855 Colton Map of China, Taiwan, and Korea — A beautiful 1855 first edition example of Colton’s map of China, Korea, and Taiwan. Covers from Mongolia to Hainan and from Tibet to Korea. Color coded according to various provinces and states.

1862 Johnson Map of China — A very nice example of A. J. Johnson’s 1862 map of China.

1865 Johnson Map of China — This is A. J. Johnson’s 1865 map of China.

1930 Nikkodo Map of Tienjien — This is an extremely rare map of the Chinese city of Tianjin ( Tientsiin or Tienjien ).

1932 Chinese Map of Tientsin (Tianjin or Tienjin), China — A highly uncommon map of Tianjin, dating 1932.

1941 Peiyang Map of Tientsin or Tianjin, China — This rare and unusual map depicts the city of Tientsin, the second most important city, following Beijing, in Northern China.

1954 Chinese Topographical Map Set of Beijing, China — This is an extraordinarily rare set of 45 post-Liberation topographical maps Beijing or Peking, China.

Da Ming Hun Yi Tu — Amalgamated Map of the Great Ming Empire is a world map created in China. Date: unknown.

1402 - Gangnido — The Honil Gangni Yeokdae Gukdo Ji Do (“Map of Integrated Lands and Regions of Historical Countries and Capitals.”), often abbreviated as Kangnido, is a world map created in Korea, produced by Yi Hoe and Kwon Kun in 1402.

1930_Nikkodo_Map_of_Tienjien_(_Tientsin,_Tianjin),_China_-_Geographicus_-_Tienjien-nikkodo-1930

Chinese traditional Mapmaking skills became more developed and advanced in the late Ming dynasty under the influence of new ideas of technology and studies of natural science, which were introduced from the West to China. [Wikipedia]

Source: 1 , Geographicus , Wikipedia

Topics: Chinese cartographic history, evolution of Chinese maps, Pei Xiu’s contribution to cartography, compass impact on Chinese mapmaking, Zheng He’s navigational charts, history of Chinese geography

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Matteo Damiani

CHINA-UNDERGROUND. Matteo Damiani is an Italian sinologist, photographer, author and motion designer. Matteo lived and worked for ten years in China. Founder of CinaOggi.it and China-underground.com.

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