Why are Chinese maps offset?

Why are Chinese maps offset?

The short answer is that China does not use the same GPS standard as the rest of the world to plot coordinates on a map. Since maps of China use a different standard than the one used by GPS it causes the GPS coordinates to appear off, sometimes by a large amount, and this is known as the China GPS shift problem.

What is China map offset?

China simply uses a different projection system, and the offsets are not random. GPS chips manufactured in China offset the coordinates they return, in order to match approved Chinese maps, which must follow the GCJ-02 datum.

Is mapping China illegal?

It is, in fact, illegal for foreign individuals or organizations to make maps in China without official permission. As stated in the “Surveying and Mapping Law of the People’s Republic of China,” for example, mapping—even casually documenting “the shapes, sizes, space positions, attributes, etc.

Why is there no Google Earth in China?

Google and China have been at odds since last year, when a serious hacking attack originating from China prompted Google to ultimately withdraw its search service from the mainland. Map World was unveiled by the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping on Thursday.

Is Google Maps blocked in China?

Like all popular Google services, Google Maps too is banned in China. The map developed by Baidu search engine is widely considered the most popularly-used map in China.

Does Apple Maps work in China?

Travelers who use an iPhone can use Apple Maps, which works well in China and does not require a VPN. If you use an Android phone and don’t have a workable VPN on your phone, you need to find an alternative to Google Maps. Baidu Maps and Gaode Maps are two popular local map apps in China.

Is Google Earth available in China?

In the last two years, China’s State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping has introduced new legislation that requires mapping service providers to store all their information in servers based in China and apply for a license. …

What do the Chinese use instead of Google?

Baidu is China’s largest and most widely used search engine, much like Google in the U.S.

Is Apple Maps Banned in China?

If you have an iPhone, using Apple Maps is your best bet. The app isn’t currently blocked in China, and the maps are based on Alibaba’s cutting-edge technology. And if you’re an Android user, Google Maps is the best option.

Is Google Maps allowed in China?

Yes, Google Maps is blocked in China along with all other Google service since the early 2000s. Back in 2010, Google quit China by moving its headquarters from Beijing to Hong Kong. It was a dramatic exit prompted by Google’s refusal to bend to China’s demands to censor their search queries.

What is the best map for China?

The basic versions of all of them are free, although many of them offer premium features for a monthly or yearly fee.

  • Google Maps. The granddaddy of GPS navigation options for almost any type of transportation.
  • Waze.
  • MapQuest.
  • Maps.Me.
  • Scout GPS.
  • InRoute Route Planner.
  • Apple Maps.
  • MapFactor Navigator.

Is there a way to correct the China GPS offset?

The first tries in the English-language world to correct for this China offset problem noticed that in local areas like within the city of Shanghai or Beijing, the difference was relatively fixed. That is, if you just subtract a few degrees from the latitude and add a few for longitude, you can correct the position.

Why does my GPS not work in China?

One problem that often comes up when people stay in China for an extended period of time is that they find their GPS devices don’t work.

What’s the problem with Google Maps in China?

GPS shift problem Google Maps displays satellite imagery using the WGS-84 coordinate system, and street maps using the GCJ-02 datum The China GPS shift (or offset) problem is a class of issues stemming from the difference between the GCJ-02 and WGS-84 datums.

Is there a GPS shift problem on Google?

As you can see, the Google.com version has the GPS shift problem while the Google.cn version does not.