Watch 1405 - Zheng He's Voyages to the Western Sea

During 1405 to 1425, Zheng He led the ship fleet of the Ming Dynasty and made six ocean-going navigations. He and his crews traveled across the Indian Ocean and reached distant Arabian coasts and even the coastal areas in East Africa.

In 1405, the southern coast of China witnessed the voyages of a gigantic fleet led by Zheng He, who had to face up to all the difficulties lest all preparations had been in vain.

As how all legends started, the Yangtze River in the winter of 1405 showed many auspicious signs. Over one hundred sea boats were drifting with the current and thousands of sails were dotted on sea.

The compilation of Yongle Encyclopedia was the greatest cultural program that had cost the greatest labor force in Chinese history. The Yongle Encyclopedia was like an everlasting monument, recording the ambition and broad mind of Ming Empire in culture under the reign of Emperor Yongle.

On July 11, 1405, Emperor Yongle of Ming Dynasty Zhu Di issued an order that a gigantic fleet composed of 27,000-28,000 crews would travel to the Western countries under the leadership of Admiral Zheng He, a eunuch of significant influence in inner palace.