Free DEM Data Download & Elevation Models
中国资源卫星中心 (CRESDA)
Quick answer: Use CRESDA to access ZY-3 and Gaofen satellite data for China, including stereo products suitable for high-resolution DEM extraction; registration needs a Chinese mobile number.
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Format
GeoTIFF
Geometry
Raster DEM
Coverage
China (national territory with satellite path coverage)
Resolution
2–5 m (ZY-3 stereo) / 2 m (GF-2) / 16 m (GF-1)
About this dataset
中国资源卫星应用中心 (China Centre for Resources Satellite Data and Application) provides free access to Chinese satellite imagery and derived products including ZY-3 stereo DEMs.
中国资源卫星应用中心 (CRESDA) distributes data from Chinese earth observation satellites including ZY-3 (Ziyuan-3), GF-1 (Gaofen-1), GF-2, and others. ZY-3 stereo imagery can produce high-resolution DEMs for China. Registration with a Chinese mobile number is required. CRESDA is an important complement to gscloud.cn for Chinese satellite-derived terrain data.
How to download
- 1 Register an account at data.cresda.cn using a Chinese mobile number (中国手机号) for SMS verification.
- 2 Log in and search for ZY-3 or Gaofen satellite imagery covering your area of interest in China.
- 3 Select stereo pair products (for DEM generation) or pre-derived DEM products if available.
- 4 Download the data and use photogrammetric software (e.g., PCI Geomatica, ERDAS) to extract DEMs from ZY-3 stereo pairs, or use pre-processed terrain products directly.
FAQ
Can I generate a DEM from ZY-3 stereo imagery on CRESDA?
Yes. ZY-3 carries a three-line stereo camera, and stereo pairs can be used to produce 2–5 m resolution DEMs using photogrammetric software. CRESDA also distributes some pre-processed DEM products.
What is the difference between CRESDA and gscloud.cn?
CRESDA focuses on raw and processed satellite imagery (ZY-3, Gaofen series), while gscloud.cn provides ready-to-use geospatial datasets including SRTM and ASTER GDEM tiles. Use CRESDA for higher-resolution Chinese satellite DEMs and gscloud.cn for standard global DEM products over China.