Zheng He, Chinese Muslim Explorer

Zheng He (jung huh) was born in 1371 in the foothills of the Himalaya Mountains in what is now southwestern China. He was a Chinese Muslim who would become one of the greatest explorers in world history.

Zheng He grew to be a commanding figure, both physically imposing and respected as a leader. Under the rule of Yongle (yong luh) Emperor, thousands of ships were built, forming the largest fleet ever launched at sea. Zheng He was appointed admiral of this vast armada.

The fleet’s enormous treasure ships sailed far beyond China’s shores, traveling across the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia, India, Arabia, and the eastern coast of Africa. These voyages were not acts of conquest. Instead, they were missions of diplomacy, exploration, and trade. Goods, ideas, and cultures moved between nations, strengthening connections across continents.

Because of Zheng He’s leadership, trade routes expanded, alliances were formed, and knowledge of the wider world grew. His voyages showed that cooperation and communication between different peoples could be achieved without war.

This book explores how one leader used exploration and mutual exchange to connect distant cultures, and how the legacy of those journeys still matters today.