Information about Zheng He

One day in 1405, Liujiagang in Suzhou was extremely lively. People all over the city gathered on the dock to watch the 62 large ships parked in the port.

Zheng He's original name was Ma Sanbao. He was a eunuch who was the heart of Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty. "Zheng He" was the name given to him by the emperor. This time, he was sent by Ming Chengzu to lead a fleet to Western countries to seek to establish friendly relations with them.

Zheng He led his fleet to the Western Ocean. I visited many countries along the way, including Champa (Vietnam), Java, Ceylon, etc. These countries were received friendly by their kings and promised to establish friendly relations with the Ming Dynasty. Many valuable gifts were also given.

Zheng He was a great navigator who opened a route from China via the Strait of Malacca, across the Indian Ocean, and to Africa, more than half a century earlier than the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama.