The Story of Zheng He's Voyage to the West
Zheng He was a navigator and official of the Ming Dynasty. He led a fleet of ships on many long sea voyages, reaching as far as the African coast and the Arabian region. His sailing activities left a deep mark on Chinese history and attracted widespread international attention. The story of Zheng He's voyage to the West could be divided into the following stages: 1. Recruiting sailors and preparing for sailing: Zheng He began to recruit sailors in the early 15th century and prepared ships and navigation techniques. 2. The initial stage of the voyage: The fleet set off from Southeast Asia, passed through the Indian Ocean, then arrived at the Arabian Peninsula, passed through the African coast, and finally arrived at Europe. 3. Mid-voyage: The fleet continued to sail eastward through the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean to reach Japan, North Korea, and China's coastal cities. 4. Late voyage: The fleet continued westward through the Atlantic Ocean to America and the Caribbean. 5 Return voyage: The fleet finally returned to China after passing through Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. When it returned to China, it was already in its late years. Its sailing activities had a profound impact on the development of international navigation and oceanography. The story of Zheng He's voyage to the West showed the spirit and determination of human beings to explore the unknown and open up new fields. It also reflected the navigation technology and culture of ancient China.