AsiaMaps.com - Asia Historic Map

A large Geographic Map of parts of South China and North Vietnam in the year 1953 AD when the Peoples' Republic of China was only 4 years old, the Korean war had recently ended in a stale-mate (which continues to this day) and at the same time the partition of Vietnam into Ho Chi Minh's Socialist Republic of North Vietnam and the American supported South Vietnam was just about to be formalized (1954 Geneva Convention) and taking shape.

Map includes parts of Guizhou Province , Yunnan Province, Sichuan Province, Hunan Province, Fujian Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,Guangdong Province and finally Hainan (Dao) Province of China (P.R.C.). In addition most of the northern "bulge", a total of 26 of the 50 Provinces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam are depicted. The Provinces shown are Dien Bien, Lai Chou, Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Son La, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Bac Can, Thai Nguyen, Lang Son, Phu To, Boc Giong, Vinh Puc, the National Capital of Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Huai Duong, Hung Yen, Han Nam, Quang Ninh, Binh Hoa, Ha Tay, Ninh Binh, and the small coastal provinces of Nam Dinh, Thai Binh and Haiphong (City).

The Map makes use of old westernized spelling (Wayde Giles) and where possible current names of cities and towns.

Link through where available to find more information and additional details on each location and region as marked on the Map.

A Map drawing of the Far East -China, Japan, Korea, Phillippines, Indo-China, Burma, India and Indonesia- in between 1600 AD and 1700 AD. Depicting the Rise of European Colonialism in Asia in the 17Th Century before the start of the Industrial Revolution. Clearly shown - Extensive Dutch trading posts and colonial Territory in South- and South-East Asia (Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Moluccas) with The Netherlands enjoying its "Golden Age" , - British Trading Posts in India and Ceylon, - French- and Portugese Trading Posts and Colonial Territories in India and the East-Indies Islands. Japan "discovered" by De Vries, Captain of the VOC "(United) East-Indies Trading Company" (Dutch) in 1643 AD. Not much later Japan would close itself to western influences and only accept trade with the Dutch, who were allowed one small Trading Post in Nagasaki Harbor (Deshima).

A Map drawing of the Far East -China, Japan, Korea, Phillippines, Indo-China, Burma, India and Indonesia- in 1860 AD. Depicting the expanding British Empire in Asia and the Far East in 1860 AD, with a Focus on China and Indo-China. British Power has surpassed that of the Dutch (and Portugese) in Asia. British Territory includes India, Burma, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim and other strong-points scattered around. Hong Kong is now British (1842AD). Tibet and the bulk of China have come under pressure from Britain.

A Satellite image of China and East-Asia, with a super-imposed schematic Map

of the location and Path of the Great Wall as constructed during the Reign of

the Ming Dynasty. Main Features are Names and locations location of Passes on the Great Wall of China, outer layer and inner layer. Includes Shanhai Pass, Huangya Guan (Yellow Cliff) Pass, JiYunGuan Pass, Ningwu Guan Pass, Pingxin Guan, YaMen Guan Pass, Pian Guan Pass, JiaYuGuan pass, YuMen Guan Pass (Jade Gate) and Yang Guan Pass.

Further included for reference are City names, geographical features of landscape and main mountain ranges. Updates occur several times a year adding new pass locations and photo-virtual tours of Passes throughout China.

An obviously non-Chinese but western-made Map of the Ching Dynasty Chinese Empire in the year 1910 AD, a year in which China's sovereignty has been under threat and siege for over 70 years.

In this Map of 1910 AD, made one year before the abdication of Last Ching Emperor Xuan Tung (a.k.a.Aisin-Gioro Pu Yi) and the final end of China's Feudal History, China is depicted as in its smallest boundaries and definition. Most notably Manchuria, and Inner Mongolia, both territories nominally under Chinese Control and under Chinese Sovereignty are depicted as separate area's.

Other interesting features of the Map and geography of the Time : after the Sino-Japanese war of 1899 AD, both Korea and the Island of Formosa (now Taiwan / ROC) have been annexed by the Japanese Empire.

A Schematic Map depicting the Full Length and main pathways of the Ancient Silk Road during the Han Dynasty Period (206 BC - 221 AD) and Roman Age (30 BC - 630 AD).

In 30 BC the Roman Empire started trading with India, which was already well known from the Conquest of Alexander the Great (+/- 330 BC). In the following 6

centuries the West would Trade with India and indirectly also with China through the Silk Road. The Silk Road only lost its Value after the European Age of Discovery and the Establishment of Maritime Trade Routes with India (16Th Century) and later China. The Yellow River is crossed at Lanzhou, after which Dunhuang is the Last Station in China.

A Schematic Map of the four main Empires in western and central Asia in the 6th Century B.C.

In this century, the main Empires are Medea (later Persia), the Chaldean Empire (in Syria and Iraq therefor also dubbed Neo-Babylonia), the Anatolian based state of Lydia and finally the Egyptian State Empire, which of course was based in North Africa.

This Map roughly depicts borders of various Empires, Capitals and main cities of the period including some now Lost or ruined Civilizations. Other features are names of main river, sea's and regions.

Follow links and click to find further information by location.

A Schematic Map of the Mongol Empire of Genghis Khan (TeMuJin) and descendants through its several stages of conquest in its short but Impressive Existance in History. Timeline depicts the Mongol Conquest starting in the Year 1206 AD, when Genghis Khan first united the Mongol-Turkic Tribes of Mongolia and Lake BayKal becoming Great Khan. The Timeline continuous through the year 1219 AD, the year 1223 AD taking Transoxiania, 1227 AD, 1237 AD when the Northern Jin Dynasty of China was annihilated, 1259 AD conquering ancient China above the Jiangste River and 1279 AD when all of China was taken and the Yuan Dynasty Eastablished under the Kublai Khan. Last is the Year 1294 AD when the Mongol Empire reached its largest geographical size and Zenith, 22% of world land area, but through lack of central leadership and over-expansion fragmented into 4 large parts, then imploded upon itself.

A Schematic Map of the Eurasian Trade Routes existing in the 13Th Century. Clearly marked in Red Accent on the Map are the cities of the network of land-bound trading routes through Central Asia known as the Silk Road (the path of Marco Polo and others). Marked in Blue Accent are the Main Ports and Harbors of the Maritime Trade Routes that operated between the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and Coastal Cities, the Straights of Malacca, the South-China Sea's and beyond. As shown Maritime Trade to China mainly entered through Southern Harbors, then was distributed internally by use of the Grand Canal, the Yangtze River and the Yellow River.

Map includes the Route travelled by Marco Polo, William of Rubruck and John of Pian de Carpine, the three famed European Travelers of the Time.

Locations of Main Trading Ports and Cities on Trade Routes of the Time are marked.

An overview Map of Asia Entire clearly demarkating the Territories, Nations and Tribal Area's of the Continent in the year 565 AD. Japan is split between the Yamato Kingdom and Emishi. In Korea three Kingdoms Rule among which the largest Goguryeo. China is split in a Northern Dynasty of the Qi, and a Southern Dynasty of the Chen.

A Schematic Map depicting the Full extends of the Han Dynasty Empire and its trade relations with neighboring States and Neighboring Peoples and Tribes.

Marked on the Map are the locations of Main Cities of the Han Empire, Han Military Garrisons and Strongpoints, locations of Tributary States (mainly in the West) and the Pathways of Sections of the Great Wall of China constructed during the Han Dynasty Reign Era.

Special Links provide access to additional information on each individual site.

This Schematic Map shows the entire "Journey to the West" as made by the Chinese Monk Xuanzang in the years 629 AD to 645 AD.

The Path of the Journey to India led though China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. The Return Journey led through Pakistan and Afghanistan to reach Kashgar in current day Xinjiang-Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. Because the (Han) Chinese Cultural Zone during the Tang Dynasty Era only reached as far as Dunhuang, where the Great Wall began, Xuanzang had to travel south-east from Kashgar via Yarkant and Hotien (Khotan) along the South Route around the Taklamakan Desert to finally return to his native China in 645 AD.

A Map overview of the World in 1897 AD depicting the extenses of the British Empire in North America, Africa, the Mediteranean Sea and the Middle East, Asia and the Far East. British Power is at its highpoint. British Territory includes India, Burma, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikim and other strong-points scattered around. British Controls Hong Kong and has large influence in other Chinese Treaty Ports. Tibet and the bulk of China have come under pressure from Britain. In the next few years parts of Tibet will be annexed.

A Schematic Map of the Mongol Empire of Genghis Khan (TeMuJin) and descendants through its several stages of conquest in its short but Impressive Existance in History. Timeline depicts the Mongol Conquest starting in the Year 1206 AD, when Genghis Khan first united the Mongol-Turkic Tribes of Mongolia and Lake BayKal becoming Great Khan. The Timeline continous through the year 1219 AD, the year 1223 AD taking Transoxiania, 1227 AD, 1237 AD when the Northern Jin Dynasty of China was annihilated, 1259 AD conquering ancient China above the Jiangste River and 1279 AD when all of China was taken and the Yuan Dynasty Eastablished under the Kublai Khan. Last is the Year 1294 AD when the Mongol Empire reached its largest geographical size and Zenith, 22% of world land area, but through lack of central leadership and over-expansion fragmented into 4 large parts, then imploded upon itself.

A Full Map of the extended Empire of Alexander the Great (of Macedon). Starting his conquest in earnest in 336 BC Alexander the Great defeated the Great Persian Empire, conquered Egypt and advanced through Central Asia as far as the Hindu Kush and the Heavenly Mountains (Tian Shan) forming respectively todays border of India-Pakistan and more to the North, the border of Xinjiang-Uygur Autonomous Region of China. The Empire included Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, parts of Uzbekistan , etc.

A Map drawing of the Eurasian continent , parts of North-East Africa and the Middle East in the 19Th Century between 1801 AD and 1900 AD. Focal points are the expansion of western colonial posessions of Portugal, Britain and France, as well as Russia moving from West to East. Labeled seperately is the later Rise of the Empire of Japan in the East.

Included in this Map are the main cities across the continent with their brief histories and events during the 19Th Century. Marked in Colors for clarity are the various colonial and imperialist Nations. As relating to China; special attention is payed to so called Treaty Ports. The First Treaty Ports were forced open by Britain in the year 1841 AD, but counted over 80 in total by the end of the 19Th Century. The most important Treaty Ports in China are marked and described with a short history where the map allows. Follow the links for more information on each location and subject.

A Map drawing of the World depicting the Colonial Possessions as they were distributed in 1912 AD. Superimposed and marked in colors are subsequent changes in Influences Spheres, colonies and possessions due to World War I ( 1914 AD - 1918 AD).

Included in this Map are the main cities across the continents with their brief histories and events during the late 19Th Century and early 20Th century, where relevant. Marked in Colors for clarity are the various colonial and imperialist Nations. As relating to China; special attention is payed to so called Treaty Ports. The First Treaty Ports were forced open by Britain in the year 1841 AD, but counted over 80 in total by the end of the 19Th Century.

An accurate Geographic Map of the East Asian Coastal Regions of China (Republic), the Korean Peninsula, the Japanese Islands and associated Regions in the Year 1945 AD. At that Time large parts of Manchuria and Inner Mongolia remained under Japanese Occupation as part of the created State of Manchukou, while Korea was actually annexed and to be fully included as a Province of Japan.

Included in this Map are the main cities across the Chinese Coastal Regions, the Korean Peninsula and Islands with their names of 1945 and present day. Marked in Colors for clarity are the various colonial and imperialist Nations.

Included in the Map are Main Cities, Towns and Villages, sections of the Great Wall of China as well as main road connections, railroads, current day sites of tourist interest as well as some of the North Korean ethnic minority villages on the Sino-Korean Border.

A Schematic Map of Historical East Asia at around the year 1900 AD and the turn into the 20Th Century.

Although the Manchu ruled Qing Dynasty Empire had previously conquered large parts of East Asia, including much of Korea, parts of current day Siberia, most of Mongolia, East Turkestan, Kyrgyz, Kazakh's and other tribal lands while subjecting Tibet to a subjugate role nominally ruled for its taxes but yet remote and inaccessible behind its mountainous walls, at the turn of the 20th Century the outer regions of the Qing Empire have been eroded away, much of the north and west increasingly under Russian control while in the south and along the coast Britons and others had fought their way into the Chinese Realm. Notably, Korea has been annexed by Japan and Tibet is shown as a de facto independent territory. Tibet will be invaded by Britain in 1901 AD and will declare Independence not long there after at the fall of the Manchu Dynasty and the end of Manchu rule over

This Schematic Map shows the entirroute Map of the first ever recorded ourney between China and Indiaa as made by the Chinese Monk axian in the years 399 AD to 412 AD.

The Path of the Journey is less clear than with the later Monk Xuanzang but led though Lanzhou, Dunhuang and Turpan, as well ass Khotan and further led through various Central Asian terriitories today part of Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. The Return Journey lwas made by ship and led from the Bengal Coast via Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and parts of current day Indonesia back to the Chinese Coast. Faxian isknown to hae arrived back in the year 412 D. His recordings and adventures becoming famous in all of China where they remain legendary to this day.

A 2nd more Schematic Full Map of the extended Empire of Alexander the Great (of Macedon). Starting his conquest in earnest in 336 BC Alexander the Great defeated the Great Persian Empire, conquered Egypt and advanced through Central Asia as far as the Hindu Kush and the Heavenly Mountains (Tian Shan) forming respectively todays border of India-Pakistan and more to the North, the border of Xinjiang-Uygur Autonomous Region of China. The Empire included Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, parts of Uzbekistan , etc.

Main Cities and Locations of the Time of Alexander the Great and his conquest, as well as locations relevant to his journey across Asia from West to East are marked on the map where possible. Please compare both maps.

Click buttons and follow links to additional information, maps and photos where available.

A Schematic Map depicting other details along the Full Length and main pathways of the Ancient Silk Road during the early Han Dynasty Period (206 BC - 221 AD).

As seen from China the Silk Road extends due Westward from Chang'An (Xian) the Han & Tang Dynasty Capital. The Yellow River is crossed at Lanzhou, after which Dunhuang is the Last Station. This Map depicts the Lost Civilizations of Loulan and Hotan, as well as the south route and north route of the Silk Road coming together at Dunhuang in current day Gansu Province of China.