Overview
- .商城 is an internationalized gTLD (IDN) using Simplified Chinese (Hans). The string translates as "mall" and is intended for commerce-related uses.
- ASCII/Punycode: .xn--czru2d
- Manager / Applicant: Zodiac (Zodiac Capricorn Limited)
- Registry provider listed: KNET
- Category: Commerce / New gTLD
History
- Zodiac filed the application as part of ICANN's New gTLD Program; the applied-for strings were revealed on 13 June 2012.
- Zodiac (founded 2008 by James Seng in the Cayman Islands) positioned itself to operate Chinese-centric gTLDs; the organization is headquartered in Hong Kong with an operations center in Beijing.
- Key people associated with the project include James Seng and Eugene Li.
- A registry agreement with ICANN was signed on 21 November 2013.
- .商城 was delegated to the DNS Root Zone on 31 March 2014, completing its successful application and delegation.
Usage and Audience
- Intended audience: Chinese-language e-commerce sites, online shopping platforms and branded retail stores targeting Chinese-speaking users.
- The application materials describe .商城 as suitable for sites selling branded consumer goods and online malls (网店).
- The registry aimed to position .商城 for merchants, brands and B2C platforms within the Chinese Internet community.
SEO and Brand Impact
- The TLD is explicitly commerce-focused and was marketed as a way to signal online malls or branded retail presence to Chinese users.
- Zodiac's stated intention was to operate TLDs centric to Chinese culture, giving .商城 a clear brand positioning toward Chinese-language commercial activity.
Notable Cases or Examples
- The application text cites Tmall.com (a dedicated B2C platform within Taobao) as an example of the kind of branded retail marketplace the .商城 string is meant to evoke.
- Brands referenced in the application as examples of merchants on such platforms include P&G, Adidas and Gap.
Operator
Zodiac Aquarius Limited
Whois
% IANA WHOIS server
% for more information on IANA, visit http://www.iana.org
% This query returned 1 object
domain: 商城
domain-ace: XN--CZRU2D
organisation: Zodiac Aquarius Limited
address: Block A Unit 406, Horizon International Tower No. 6 Zhichun Road
address: Haidian District
address: Beijing 100088
address: China
contact: administrative
name: Eugene Li
organisation: Zodiac Holdings Ltd
address: Block A Unit 406, Horizon International Tower No. 6 Zhichun Road
address: Haidian District
address: Beijing 100088
address: China
phone: +86.1082961219
fax-no: +86.1082961269
e-mail: ceo@nic.wang
contact: technical
name: Zhanyong Zhang
organisation: Zodiac Holdings Ltd
address: Block A Unit 406, Horizon International Tower No. 6 Zhichun Road
address: Haidian District
address: Beijing 100088
address: China
phone: +86.1082961219
fax-no: +86.1082961269
e-mail: zhanyong.zhang@nic.wang
nserver: A.ZDNSCLOUD.CN 203.99.24.1
nserver: B.ZDNSCLOUD.CN 203.99.25.1
nserver: C.ZDNSCLOUD.COM 203.99.26.1
nserver: D.ZDNSCLOUD.COM 203.99.27.1
nserver: F.ZDNSCLOUD.CN 116.169.54.111
nserver: G.ZDNSCLOUD.COM 223.72.199.37
nserver: I.ZDNSCLOUD.CN 2401:8d00:1:0:0:0:0:1
nserver: J.ZDNSCLOUD.COM 2401:8d00:2:0:0:0:0:1
ds-rdata: 62552 8 2 a9400022e8ac90989aa6a0ecd9003dadc0902982336bafba4ce68e0fb15a8391
whois: whois.gtld.knet.cn
status: ACTIVE
remarks: Registration information: http://www.shangcheng.wang
created: 2014-02-27
changed: 2024-12-03
source: IANA
Registrars