Why Every Map of China is Just Slightly Wrong

Episode written by Adam Chase
Music by Epidemic Sound

[treebranche]

GPS: Go right.
Me: but...im on the bridg-
GPS: G O R I G H T

[PhileasLiebmann]

Well, it's good to know that every minor business in China is safe from intercontinental missile strikes that use Google Maps for orientation.
Edit: I swear to god, no one on this damn site understands a joke.

[amannaikwade]

Someone arrested for wrong map
Police : where's the jail?

[vladpetskel]

This is so true !!! I was in Xiamen, China last year for a 19 hour layover, so I went to explore the city. On my google maps I saw a river with a bridge crossing it so I decided to walk 45 min to explore and see it. When I got there, no sign of any water or any bridges, just a regular city. I was so confused 😭

[ViolentaShadow]

Serial Killer: "What are you in for?
Student: "Cartography"
Serial Killer: Guards! GET ME OUT OF Don't leave me here with this psycho!!!"

[Bergen]

Chinese government: Ahah, we tricked everyone, our paranoia will save US FROM WAR
Western tourist in China: Where the hell is the dumpling

[tonyth]

"How did he crash our economy???"
"He mapped a Donut Shop correctly"

[FrozenBusChannel]

I'm from Hong Kong and have been wondering (for years) why the maps at the borders are wonky. Now I have the answer.

[FROZYO]

Nothing says “development of national economy” quite like sending someone 5-10 minutes away from a business’s actual location. What a joke.

[jRt]

I lived in China for a time, and it's really interesting to see how creative my Chinese friends were in getting around arbitrary things like this. My friends kept mental maps, and navigated by landmarks.

Me, I just used the satellite view, which mostly worked.

[cluelessdragoon]

North Korea: “we are the most secretive country”

China: “Hold my map”

[bachlamtung]

Tourist in China:
*confused scream at Google Map*

[ggsay]

I think it doesn't make any difference for nuclear strike.

[kloi]

How about commercial pilots, do they get real maps so they don't hit mountains and all?

[paulsophocleous]

4:53 In conclusion, there's no way to know where anything in China actually is.

But since you can get the Chinese satellite map that has been distorted by the GCJ system can't you compare that to an accurate satellite map, determine how the distortion has been applied and find the appropriate correction, and then apply that correction to street map?

[Shuhao.D]

One thing you missed: Chinese gov made this coordinate system very pricey too, there is a huge amount of licensing fee even for the authorized companies to make the map.

[jung]

No wonder why their fishermen sailed all the way to Argentina 😂😂😂

[wanderinglizzy]

I'm from Hong Kong and thanks for shouting out that Hong Kong (still) has accurate maps!

[BlondeQtie]

fun fact: different maps may use different reference systems. as a sailor/yacht owner, you know that you need to check the reference system of your map. usually all newer maps are in WGS84, but especially with older maps, you have to shift your location by a bit. it's indicated by how much and in what direction though, because the manufacturer of the map wants you to know where you are ^^

[federicoreali]

Imagine an entire country’s government being this delusional