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Red- Stops

Pink- Routes

Blue- Context of the area/technologies

Purple- Additional information

Guide Points- Green (can skip over)

START IN NANJING

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The Mongols increased trade, by being such a large empire conflict was reduced which made trade safer and more lucrative. The many roads created for military purposes were repurposed for trade. Their power caused a boom in trade during their rule.

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During this time China was transitioning from the Yuan to Ming dynasties. During the Yuan Dynasty China was closed off from trade with the outside world but under the reign of the new Ming emperor China was reopening its borders once more. This opening of China's borders caused Zheng He's exploration and the relations and trade established by him.

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During this time there were vital innovation in technology like, lateen sails (triangular sails that allowed sailors to tack making ships more agile and able to navigate easier), the astrolabe (measured the latitude of your location)the compass, dhow ships (large ships which size allowed the transport of large amounts of trade goods) and increased knowledge on monsoon winds (predictable seasonal winds that could be harnessed go help traders across the ocean). These innovations in technology caused trade along the Indian Ocean Trade Route to flourish. They made trade within the Indian Ocean, safer, more efficient, and easier, revitalizing trade in that area and would've helped Zheng He on his journey.

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This is where Zheng He started his journey. He was sent out by the Ming Emperor Zhu Di to reopen China's trade routes with the outside world and gather tributaries for the empire. This was a much more politically rooted goal than other explorers had which influenced the kind of interactions he had with the places he went. On top of this Zheng He was a government official and his writings would've been primarily for the Emperor himself to read, also influencing how he wrote his diaries. This is also the place Zheng He would return upon the end of each expedition. Due to Zheng He's actions and the opening of trade in China, the country grew incredibly rich very quickly, enough for Zhu Di to order the construction of a nine-story tall pagoda.

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Part of Zheng He's sea route to Malacca (Fujian Coast)

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Part of Zheng He's sea route to Malacca (Fujian Coast)

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It is NOT the starting point of the expedition, however, he did make a quick stop here

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One of Zheng He's stops along his third journey. Malacca was a vital place of trade due to its opportune location directly between the spice isles of India and the Malabar coast in such a way that one had to pass by it or have to risk sailing a much larger distance. Cloves, nutmeg, various other spices, seed pearls, bird plumes, and batiks were all common trade items exchanged throughout Malacca. Another reason was that he needed to give the ruler of Malacca Parameswara a new seal from the emperor after it was stolen by the Siamese. By adding Malacca as a tributary state for China, trade in the area increased and the Malaccans ended up introducing eyeglasses to China. Because of trade, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism were introduced to the Malaysian peninsula.

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Divided into three warring states, Zheng He came across resistance from Alakeswara upon his arrival, who forced the Chinese back to their ships. Although it is not certain, what likely happened next is that Zheng He made small alliances with other countries in Ceylon who also didn't like Alakeswara and were able to defeat him. This story may have been exaugurated to appear more cunning. Subsequently, Zhu Di claimed sovereignty over Ceylon, further expanding China's influence.

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One of Zheng He's stops before going to Hormuz. There were coconut trees in abundance, and a Chinese sailing with Zheng He commented that there were no walled cities. Here sailors purchased coconut rope, ambergris, and cowrie shells which were used as currency in various places around the world and in over abundance here.

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This was the first destination along Zheng He's first voyage, a powerful city-state on the west coast of Kerala that had a large market for spices and rare woods like, cardamon cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and pepper. His purpose for this first expedition was to reintroduce China into the trading scene and to renew old connections with other countries and it was effective in doing so.

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Zheng He traveled here and he commented that the area was very rich with no poor families in sight. Not to mention, the people were incredibly generous and would help out the poor. The goods also were luxurious, including but not limited to gems, woolens, carpets, and exotic animals. This is also where Yang Min returned with the king of Bengal and brought a giraffe as a gift for the emperor.

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This was the place where foreign dignitaries were housed and gifts/tributes were exchanged. Trade here was closely monitored, with certain goods being banned and envoys being forbidden to trade in street markets. By staying at the hall, the envoys enjoyed large feasts, wine houses, and games.

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While Zheng He was in Hormuz, another explorer named Yang Min brought the king of Bengal, along with a giraffe from Malindi (now Kenya) back to China. Because of how foreign the creature looked, the Chinese mistook it for a mythical creature called a 麒麟 (qilin). Overall, the interaction shows how opening up China's borders (or just any country in general) made them more interconnected with the rest of the world.