Expressing direction with 往 and 向
We use 往 and 向 as prepositions of direction and state them before a verb. However, we can also use them as result complements when we state them after the verb.
The prepositions 往 and 向
The prepositions 往 
and 向 both indicate direction and can be used in the same way. We should state the direction and the verb directly after them.
and 向 both indicate direction and can be used in the same way. We should state the direction and the verb directly after them. Pay attention
In colloquial speech we mostly use the preposition 往.
Scheme
subject
往/向
direction
predicate
verb
Examples
从这里往北走三百米就到了
From here, you should walk 300 meters north, and you'll get there
cóng zhèlǐ wǎng běi zǒu sān bǎi mǐ jiù dào le
现在向左拐
Now turn to the left
xiànzài xiàng zuǒ guǎi
他骑着自行车往学校去了
He rode his bike to school
tā qí zhe zìxíngchē wǎng xuéxiào qù le
When to use 向
When a verb and or the target of the verb is abstract, you can only use 向 to indicate the target.
For example: 走向成功
We also use 向 when a concrete action has a specific target (not a destination), for example, when there is a word referring to a person — a pronoun, a noun, or a proper noun. So with 向, we say that the action is directed at a person.
Pay attention
We cannot use 往 in these sentences.
Examples
他向我微笑
He smiled at me
tā xiàng wŏ wēixiào
火车已经开了，她还在向我招手
The train was leaving and she was still waving at me
huǒchē yǐjīng kāi le, tā hái zài xiàng wǒ zhāoshǒu
In some cases we can translate 向 as “from”.
Examples
他决心向她学习
He was determined to learn from her
tā juéxīn xiàng tā xuéxí
她喜欢向朋友借钱
She likes to borrow money from her friends
tā xǐhuan xiàng péngyou jiè qián
The result complement with 往 and 向
Pay attention
The result complement (结果补语) is a verb or an adjective that placed after a predicate and expresses result of an action.
We use 向 and 往 as result complements after verbs denoting motion.
For example:
开
飞
发
运
送
寄
带
驶
飞
发
运
送
寄
带
驶 Scheme
subject
predicate
往/向
direction
Examples
这趟火车开往北京
This train goes to Beijing
zhè tàng huǒchē kāiwǎng běijīng
大雁飞向南方
Geese are flying to the south
dàyàn fēixiàng nánfāng
他抓住她的胳膊，把她带往门口
He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to the door
tā zhuāzhù tā de gēbó, bǎ tā dài wǎng ménkǒu