More and more Chinese have begun to eye on collecting ancient maps, marked by robust auctions of such cultural relics in the country over recent years.

However, experts said, map collection is yet to be specialized. Currently only a few people collect maps only.

Tens of thousands of people across China now involve in map collection, but only several hundreds are really enthusiastic about it. Of the several hundreds, only 36 percent are specialized in map collection. In this capital of southwestern China's Sichuan Province, where collection of cultural relics is vigorous, only two people specializing in storing up maps boast a collection of more than 3,000 items.

The experts say some collectors only store up some specific kinds of maps. For example, a collector surnamed Liu in southern Guangdong Province housed over 1,000 maps of administrative regions. In Shanghai, a collector is keen on storing up sports maps.

Map collection societies are yet to be established in China, though there are three journals tailored to map collection in the nation, the experts added.
 
(Xinhua News Agency December 29, 2005)