Is 1688 the Same as Taobao?

The answer is definitely no.

They have some familiar characters while some differences also exists.

These two shopping sites are both served for Chinese market. But, 1688 is like a wholesale site for small and medium sizes business. Taobao target is for individual.

There is no deny that the price in Taobao is much higher than 1688.

Taobao platform is much bigger than 1688.