The online map I usually use in Shanghai is either google map or DDmap (www.ddmap.com, currently in Chinese only). I found both of them are quite easy to use and helpful. It doesn’t only show the location, but also provide suggestions on traveling from/to a certain place by public transportation. Some value added services such as shop information, tourist attraction, dining information etc are also very helpful.

The news said that a non-profit Shanghai Map website is online from 24th July. It is designed and managed by a government organisation, Shanghai Surveying and Mapping Institute . So the website is supposed to be the official site for Shanghai maps which the public can totally trust.

But disappointly the web site was collapsed on the second day of its online (25th July) due to unexpected large traffic (according to Shanghai Surveying and Mapping Institute).

So I decided to give it a try and logged on the www.shanghai-map.net. When I first saw the homepage, I doubted if I typed in correct address. The graphic looked so poor quality and the site looked totally SHAN ZHAI!

The user experience was also rubbish. It was slow, even the zoom in didn’t work properly. After spending a few minutes on the site, I decided to leave and don’t think I will come back.

Then I searched in the web to see other users’ comments: all the same, rubbish. I am wondering if the staff in Shanghai Surveying and Mapping Institute knew this.

It is an interesting case but often found in China. The service organisation/center/web site managed by the government usually are low quality but cost a lot to establish and maintain. Or we can argue white elephant is everywhere in the world!

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