CATEGORY
Maps and GIS
ACCESS
open access
URL
https://analytics.huma-num.fr/enpchina/MCGD_interface/
DESCRIPTION
Modern China Geospatial Database (MCGD) addresses the critical challenge of place name standardization in modern Chinese history by identifying and collecting all name variants under which locations were designated in historical sources. The database is particularly valuable for handling the bewildering variety of Western transliteration systems used to render Chinese place names (e.g., Shanghai variants: Shang-hae, Changhaï, Schanghai, Szang-hai, etc.), as well as historical Chinese names that changed over time. The MCGD search interface allows researchers to input place names individually or batch upload CSV files of multiple names. The search engine retrieves matches regardless of language or transliteration system, providing geo-coordinates, current Chinese names and pinyin, and all known historical designations.
SOURCE LIST
ACLS Open Database Resource Guide
TAGS
LAST MODIFIED
2026-01-16