Five Great Voyages

The Five Great Voyages refer to China's historic maritime expeditions during the early 15th century under Admiral Zheng He. These seven voyages aimed to showcase China's power, establish tributary relationships, and expand trade across Asia and Africa. They involved massive fleets of ships traveling to regions like Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, Arabia, and East Africa. These expeditions highlighted China's naval capabilities and had lasting influence on global trade routes and cultural exchanges, reflecting a period of Chinese maritime dominance before a subsequent turn inward.