Introduction to the selected content of ancient Chinese maps

Most of the maps in this atlas are published for the first time. The selection principles are: mainly picture books and inscriptions, those with earlier eras are given priority, those with exquisite drawings are the first choice, those with unique and complete expression content are the best, and as many as possible are drawn using traditional Chinese methods.

In terms of time, the earliest picture selected in this atlas is the Taihua Mountain Picture. It was engraved in the Yimao Year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (1615), and was later engraved with the names of Wang Wei, Li Bai, and others in the Chongzhen Year. Poems by Du Fu, Han Yu, Meng Jiao, Chen Tuan, Han Qi, Shao Yong and others. The selected maps drawn during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty include the map of Gansu and the complete map of Haikou Pass, the map of land and water far and near, the map of Taihu Lake during the Yongzheng period, etc.; the maps drawn during the Qianlong period include the map of Fujian coastal areas, the Shanxi Province military preparation map, and the complete map of Jin Province. wait.

In terms of drawing form, the more precious color hand-drawn maps, such as military maps, include maps of various large and small forts at Haikou in Zhili, illustrations of various forts in Haikou in Shandong, the Grand View of the Yangtze River near Jiujiang, and the complete map of Jinyi Haoqiang. The military office layout map, the Changmen Haikou fort map, the Jingzhou Eight Banners horse herding map, etc. City map categories include Fuzhou city map, Wuchang Hankou aerial view, Kuizhou map, Chaozhou map, Beijing city map and Pingle city map, etc. The scenic spots category includes the Summer Resort Map, the Hengshan Mountain Map, the Jiaoshan Panorama, the Rehe Map, the Panshan Scenic Spots Map, and the Fengtian Beizhen County Lushan Full Map. Feng shui categories include drawings of the Ming Tombs, mausoleum maps, Dongling Feng Shui maps, Yongling complete maps and Fuling maps, etc. In the water conservancy category, there are complete maps of the Changhuai River and Yangtze River flow maps. The economic category includes the complete card map of the Hubei Provincial Lijin Bureau. Maps inscribed on stele are also extremely valuable because they have been through many wars and are not easy to preserve. This atlas includes: the complete map of Jin Province, the complete map of Mount Tai, the map of Huayue, the complete map of Taihua, the map of Taihua Mountain, the Eight Scenic Spots of Guanshan, the complete map of Longmen Mountain and the map of Canglang Pavilion, etc.

Excellent works not included in this atlas include: Map of Beijing (color painting, Qing Dynasty), Map of Nanyue Peaks (color painting, Qing Dynasty), Flood Map of Ten Counties under the jurisdiction of Chubiao (Color Painting) ( 10 pieces, painted, Qing Dynasty), general map of the Thirteen Prefectures of Jiangxi (13 pieces, engraving, Qing Dynasty), Six Classics Map (6 pieces, stele rubbings, Qing Dynasty), Hunan Sixty-Eight Peaks Map (color painted, Qing Dynasty) ), the complete map of Mount Wutai Holy Land (ink coloring, Qing Dynasty), Yulin City Map (color painting, Qing Dynasty), etc. There is also a picture of the Palm Fruit of the Ten Thousand Kingdoms in the Southern Continent (ink printing and coloring) drawn by the Japanese leader Toutuo Langhuazi in the seventh year of Baoyong (1710).