Ancient Chinese Cartography: Maps, Territories, and the Cosmic Order

Chinese ancient maps and geographical knowledge represent one of the most advanced traditions of cartography in the pre-modern world. Chinese geographers and cartographers produced maps of extraordinary accuracy and artistic beauty, reflecting both practical administrative needs and cosmological understanding.

Early Maps and the Concept of Territory

Chinese maps from the Han Dynasty and earlier show sophisticated understanding of geography. The "Tianwen Map" (天文图) of the Song Dynasty is the oldest surviving star map from any civilization, depicting over 1,400 stars with remarkable accuracy.

Administrative Maps

Imperial atlases were compiled for administrative and military purposes, showing roads, rivers, mountains, and administrative boundaries with increasing accuracy over the centuries. The Ming Dynasty "Atlas of the Great Ming" (大明一统志) represents the culmination of pre-modern Chinese cartography.