Sixty hundred and twenty years ago, Zheng He's fleet set sail from Liujiagang in Taicang, Jiangsu. They not only spread peace and friendship but also brought back a wealth of overseas goods and cultural artifacts. Follow China Daily reporter Peng Yixuan to explore the mysteries of Zheng He's voyages and board the modern naval training #ship named in his honor in Taicang! #CulturalJourney | China Daily

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Zheng He led a fleet of nearly 300 ships that reached the shores of Africa centuries before Columbus. His armada was a floating city with treasure ships over 400 feet that dwarfed the three vessels later used by Columbus. Between 1405 and 1433 AD he commanded seven voyages for the Ming Dynasty emperor, crossing the Indian Ocean and visiting Southeast Asia, India, the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa. His mission was to forge diplomatic ties and trade links, returning with spices, gems and even