Forgotten Voyage: Chasing Zheng He's Western Journey

Author: Fan Chunge
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: On July 11, 1405, Zheng He's fleet gathered at Liujiagang in Taicang, which is now part of Liuzhen Town, for its departure. The banners covered the sky, and the drums and music shook the heavens. Over 27,000 spirited sailors gathered, and more than 200 towering ships with high sails stood ready to set sail for the various ports of the Indian Ocean. Five hundred and ninety-five years later, I came here. I too must set off like a sailor. Fan Chunge, winner of the National Fan Changjiang News Award. She has traveled across China on her own, completed a solo survey of China's vast land borders, and visited Tibet three times. She has written books such as "The Sky's Song Cannot Be Repeated—A Difficult Journey Along China's Land Borders" and "The Farthest—Where Id the Antarctic Land." The media has hailed her as a lone female adventurer. This book is written in commemoration of the 600th anniversary of Zheng He's voyages to the Western Oceans. Starting in 2000, the author spent nearly three years, making three solo journeys along the route of Zheng He, traveling as far as Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Oman, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa, covering nearly 20 countries and regions. She comprehensively explored the traces and influences left by this major event in maritime history overseas, conducting extensive research and discovering many firsthand materials and significant findings. The manuscript also records the unique customs and thrilling scenes she encountered during her solo interviews abroad, making it highly legendary and engaging to read.