With the completion of the database of 1:5 million, and the basic geographic information database of 1:1 million were begin construction, how to quickly update the map data, and ensure the current situation of map data has become an important challenge which GIS Field facing . This paper analyzes the current map update methods, focuses on the key technologies and technical process on the use of remote sensing images updating 1:5 million topographic map, after the experiments on updating topographic in Wenchuan earthquake affected area use remote sensing image, The results show that the use of remote sensing images update topographic maps is a fast, effective method.