Abstract: The book Six Basic Principles for Cartography by Pei Xiu in Xijin Dynasty in ancient China is an important historical document focusing upon the development of ancient Chinese measuring technology. Based on the former studies and achievements and combined with the basic principles and reasons in The Tribute to Yu complied by Pei Xiu, the article makes a comprehensive interpretation of Six Basic Principles for Cartography, taking into account the then measuring technology and development in former studies. On the basis of the above, with Zhunwang, the core of the six basic principles, used as a general measuring terminology to refer to precision measurements in ancient China, the article makes the further interpretation that the book Six Basic Principles for Cartography makes a summary of fundamental map making requirements on behalf ofsh Pei Xiu. The book also offers the best interpretation of Pei Xiu’s measuring technology, the Ji-li-hua-fang or the square grid system, combined with regional maps and textual research. The research makes complimentary contents into former ones.

Key words: Six Basic Principles for Cartography, measuring technology, the Ji-li-hua-fang or the square grid system, map making