The core content of ancient Chinese cartography is "the six principles of cartography" pioneered by Pei Xiu (Hawn) in the 3rd century, which was subsequently developed by several generations of renowned cartographic experts in China. A large number of highly valuable ancient and modern maps had been completed by the end of the 19th century. Eleven Chinese world-renowned maps were selected based on the author’s personal participation in the Basic Science & Technological Special Program National Project, which also referred to three ancient Chinese atlases (published in AD 1990-1997). The eleven maps include the following: Dixing Fangzang Tu (a general map), the first scientific map produced in the 3rd century; Hainei Huayi Tu (a general map covering Asia), made in the 8th century; Astronomical figure, a first scientific star figure depicted 1440 constellations made in 1190, which was the original drawing of Suzhou stone carving astronomical figure; Yu Ditu (a general map), made in 1315, which marked the perfection of ancient Chinese cartography; Daming Hunyi Tu (a general map), made in 1389; Genglu Bo (a South China Sea chart used by fishermen), and Zheng He's Nautical Chart, made in the 15th century; Guangyu Tu (a comprehensive atlas) made in 1541; Kunyu Wanguo Quantu (a large Chinese world map in color), made in 1602; Kangxi Quanlan Tu (a general map), which was the first large map including measurements of latitude and longitude made in 1718; Haiguo Tuzhi (a world atlas and annals), which is the predecessor of the contemporary and modern Chinese world atlases made in 1842-1852. The discussion of these ancient maps focused on their scientific, historical, foreign, sailing, territorial, military, and cultural values. Simultaneously, we evaluated their innovations and evolution of map-positioning technology between Chinese and Western cartography. Finally, we hope that the National Bureau of Surveying and Mapping of China provide more support and promote the construction of an ancient Chinese map ecosystem to accelerate the use, evaluation, and mining of the heritage of ancient Chinese maps.