Zheng He's Voyages to the Western Oceans

Author: Saisho Chugen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-05-01
Features: The arrival of the Age of Great Navigations in the 15th and 16th centuries brought about tremendous changes in East-West transportation, profoundly impacting human life, international relations, and technological progress. The beginning of this significant period in human history was Zheng He's voyages to the Western Oceans. As a pioneer of the world's Age of Great Navigations, Zheng He, with his exceptional talent and fearless dedication, led the grand and heroic endeavor of seven voyages to the Western Oceans. Zheng He's voyages to the Western Oceans reached the pinnacle of maritime achievements at the time, far surpassing the Europeans by many decades. It can be said that during his time, and for the following few centuries, there was virtually no one who could compare to Zheng He. Zheng He's seven voyages to the Western Oceans took him to over 30 countries and regions in Asia and Africa. In terms of international transportation, he was the person who opened up sea routes from China to the Red Sea and the East African coast. On his fifth voyage, he reached Aden (now Jeddah) at the mouth of the Red Sea, as well as Malindi, Mogadishu, Berbera, and Ras Hafun in East Africa. On his sixth voyage, he also visited Zufar in the Arabian Sea. On his seventh voyage, he sent seven interpreters to Mecca (Makkah) in the Red Sea. Before Zheng He, Chinese envoys, merchants, and pilgrims may have already reached Eastern Europe, the Arabian Peninsula, or even Egypt in Africa, but they traveled overland rather than by sea. Zheng He was the person who led the Chinese fleet to the Red Sea and the East African coast.