Oriental Chronicle: From the Red Sea to China

Author: Pires
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: If there are additions or omissions in this book, and it differs from the works of Father Anselm, Ptolemy, and other geographers, do not consider it as fabrication. Their knowledge is based on second-hand materials rather than experience, whereas I here know everything, have experienced it, and have seen it with my own eyes. — [Portuguese] Dom Pires
This book is a record of geography, customs, climate, economy, politics, history, and other aspects from the East African coast to China and Japan along the lines written by Pires, a Portuguese envoy sent to China during the Age of Discovery in the early 16th century. Pires' route was roughly similar to Zheng He's maritime expeditions, and his writings, along with Zheng He's accounts, serve as invaluable first-hand sources for studying the history of the region and East-West exchanges.