Arabic Map of China and Mongolia by Hafiz Ali Esref, 1896: Beijing, Yangtze River, Gobi Desert, Himalayas, Shanghai

Step into the world of late 19th-century cartographic mastery with "Çin Machin = China," an exquisite map crafted in 1896 by the renowned Ottoman cartographer Ali Şeref Paşa, also known as Hafiz Ali Esref. This remarkable work, produced during a time of sweeping modernization within the Ottoman Empire, is a testament to both scientific rigor and artistic finesse. The map’s original Ottoman Turkish script and intricate color lithography evoke a sense of scholarly grandeur, inviting the viewer to explore China, Mongolia, and their neighboring realms as they were understood at the twilight of the Qing Dynasty.

Ali Şeref Paşa, a distinguished figure in the annals of cartography, studied in Paris before becoming chief cartographer at Istanbul’s Matbaa-i Amire Press. His expertise is palpable in every detail, from the careful delineation of political boundaries to the nuanced depiction of topographical relief. Şeref Paşa’s maps, published as part of a comprehensive world atlas, not only reflected the Ottoman Empire’s thirst for knowledge but also its ambition to engage with the broader currents of global geography and science.

This map is a symphony of detail, charting the great cities and provinces of China—Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and beyond—alongside the sweeping landscapes of Mongolia, and extending into the Russian and Indian frontiers. The map’s precise borders and administrative divisions reveal the complexity of the region’s political landscape at a pivotal moment in history. Major settlements are elegantly labeled, their historical names conjuring the cosmopolitan energy of bustling metropolises and the quiet dignity of ancient capitals.

Natural wonders are rendered with an almost tactile sense of relief: the mighty Himalayas, the arid Gobi Desert, and the sinuous courses of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers. The mapmaker’s use of hachures and shading brings mountains, valleys, and plateaus to life, while vast lakes and rivers glimmer across the landscape. These physical features are not merely decorative—they offer a window into the environmental realities that shaped the destinies of empires and peoples.

Beyond its visual splendor, "Çin Machin = China" stands as a cultural artifact of profound historical significance. It encapsulates a unique Ottoman perspective on East Asia at a time of global transformation, bridging continents and centuries through its meticulous artistry. For collectors and connoisseurs of antique maps, this piece is more than a geographical document—it is a portal to a world where borders, cities, and landscapes were seen through the discerning eyes of one of the Ottoman Empire’s greatest cartographers.

Cities and towns on this map

• China
• Beijing (Peking)
• Shanghai
• Guangzhou (Canton)
• Tianjin (Tientsin)
• Chongqing (Chungking)
• Chengdu (Chengtu)
• Wuhan (Hankow/Wuchang/Hanyang)
• Xi’an (Sian)
• Nanjing (Nanking)
• Harbin
• Shenyang (Mukden)
• Hangzhou (Hangchow)
• Suzhou (Soochow)
• Zhengzhou (Chengchow)
• Fuzhou (Foochow)
• Jinan (Tsinan)
• Changsha
• Kunming (Yunnanfu)
• Urumqi (Tihwa)
• Lhasa
• Mongolia
• Ulaanbaatar (Urga/Kuren)
• Russia
• Irkutsk
• Vladivostok
• India
• Kolkata (Calcutta)
• Darjeeling

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Borders: Clearly delineated borders for China, Mongolia, Russia, and India
• Mountain ranges: Major mountain systems such as the Himalayas and the Altai Mountains depicted with hachures
• Bodies of water: Major rivers such as the Yangtze (Chang Jiang), Yellow River (Huang He), and Amur River; large lakes including Lake Baikal and Qinghai Lake
• Deserts: The Gobi Desert is marked
• Coastlines: Eastern coastline of China, including the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and South China Sea
• Physical relief: Extensive use of hachures and shading to represent mountain ranges, plateaus, and valleys
• Administrative divisions: Provinces and regions within China and Mongolia are outlined and labeled
• Railroads and major roads: Early rail lines and significant roads are marked

Historical and design context

• Original title: Çin Machin = China, created by Ali Şeref Paşa in 1896
• Drawn and edited by Ali Şeref Paşa, a renowned Ottoman cartographer who studied in Paris and became chief cartographer at the Matbaa-i Amire Press in Istanbul
• Part of a New Geographical Atlas of the World, comprising 42 double-page lithographed color maps, published between 1893 and 1898 in Ottoman script
• Covers China and Mongolia, with portions of Russia and India also depicted
• Detailed political and administrative boundaries, provinces, capitals, major cities, rivers, mountains, roads, and railroads
• Intricately detailed and colored, with relief shown by hachures and shading, and text in Ottoman Turkish script
• Reflects the Ottoman Empire’s interest in global geography and scientific modernization in the late 19th century
• Provides a window into late 19th-century perceptions and representations of East Asia and neighboring regions

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

Alcune delle mie vecchie mappe sono ora disponibili come tele incorniciate. Per favore contattami se desideri ordinare una dimensione che non è disponibile nel mio negozio.

Le vecchie mappe su tela sono un'alternativa interessante alle mappe incorniciate in modo convenzionale. A seconda del tuo gusto personale e dell'arredamento della stanza, le mappe su tela possono "risaltare" un po' di più rispetto a una mappa incorniciata.

Scopri di più sulle mie mappe su tela incorniciate.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

Se non sei soddisfatto del tuo ordine per qualsiasi motivo, contattami per un rimborso senza problemi. Si prega di consultare la nostra politica di reso e rimborso per ulteriori informazioni.

Sono molto sicuro che ti piacerà la tua mappa restaurata o la stampa d'arte. Lo faccio dal 1984. Sono un venditore Etsy a 5 stelle. Ho venduto decine di migliaia di mappe e stampe d'arte e ho oltre 5.000 recensioni reali a 5 stelle.

Utilizzo un processo unico per restaurare mappe e opere d'arte che richiede molto tempo e lavoro. Trovare le mappe e le illustrazioni originali può richiedere mesi. Utilizzo tecnologia all'avanguardia e incredibilmente costosa per scannerizzare e restaurarle. Di conseguenza, garantisco che le mie mappe e stampe d'arte siano superiori alle altre - ecco perché posso offrire un rimborso senza problemi.

Quasi tutte le mie mappe e stampe d'arte sembrano fantastiche a grandi dimensioni (200 cm, 6,5 piedi+) e posso anche incorniciarle e consegnarle a te, tramite un corriere speciale per oggetti di grandi dimensioni. Contattami per discutere delle tue esigenze specifiche.