The ships of the Zheng-He armada were amazing. They are the largest wooden boats ever built with masts erected on 120 meters long and 50 meters wide decks. To compare, the explorer Vasco de Gama’ ship was about 23 meters long and 5 meters wide. In the 15th century, the Chinese Admiral Zheng-He led one of the largest fleets in the world and spread Chinese influence from Indonesia to the African coast.

His Travel in asia began in 1405, 317 ships left the province of Nanjing in the Ming Empire and crisscrossed the seas for over thirty years to the Kenyan Coast. Between 1405 and 1414, from the China Sea to the Bay of Bengal, passing the Strait of Malacca, the Chinese admiral led an expedition that has established the influence of the Ming dynasty in the Indian Ocean.

A thousand miles journey always start with a first
step.

PROVERBE CHINOIS. LAO TZU

#1 Nanging, CHINA

Capital of Jiangsu province in Eastern China, Nanking is about 300 km from Shanghai, up the Yangtze River. It served as the capital of the country during part of the Ming Dynasty. Numerous monuments recall this period, including the Zhonghua Gate (China Gate), preserved since the 14th century and component of the enormous rampart that comprised the southern entrance tothe old city.

#2 Quy Nhơn, VIETNAM

In Vietnam, Quy Nhon is not considered a tourist destination. However, this medium-sized city has beautiful beaches and a beautiful surrounding country side.

#3 Surabaya, INDONESIA

Surabaya is the second largest Indonesian metropolis after Jakarta, the first port and the main base of the Indonesian Navy. The city nevertheless suffers from endemic social contrasts that it cannot stem. Surabaya is a large Indonesian city, full of charme. There are still a few oriental postcard perfumes left in the old town and around the quays. An urban cosmopolitanism that still seduces and that will undoubtedly have to be preserved in the years to come.

#4 Malacca, MALAYSIA

Malacca is the capital of the coastal State of Malacca in southwest Malaysia.In the center, Jonker Walk, the main artery of Chinatown, is known for its antique shops and night market. Nearby is the richly decorated Cheng HoonTeng Chinese temple with many prayer halls, which dates back to the 17thcentury. The 18th century Kampung Kling Mosque is Javanese in style and hasa three-tiered green roof.

#5 Sumatra, INDONESIA

The name Sumatra would originate from the Malaysian word Samuderameaning “ocean”. Sumatra is a fabulous and exuberant island, home to afauna made up of innumerable species that have become very rare and often endangered such as the orangutans, the tiger and the one-horned rhinoceros.The population encompasses a great variety of ethnic groups from multiple origins, reinforced by the transmigration with Java: the Acihais, the Bataks,the Minangkabaus, the Niassais, without forgetting many others such as Malays, Javanese, Bugis, Chinese. No less than 49 languages are spoken.

#6 Galle, SRI LANKA

Galle is located on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. It is known for its fortified city built in the 16th century by Portuguese settlers. Dutch ramparts en circle the pedestrian streets whose architecture testifies to the presence of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British. Among the remarkable buildings is the Dutch Reformed Church of the 18th century. The lighthouse of Galle stands on the south-eastern tip of the fort.

#7 Cochin, INDE

The city of Cochin (also known as Kochi) is part of the State of Kerala, located in southwest India. Its harbor has existed since 1341, when it was formed by aflood and opened to Arab, Chinese, and European merchants. Foreign influences are reflected in the colonial architecture of the Fort Kochi district:tiled pavilions and various places of worship. Cantilevered Chinese fishingnets, typical of Kochi, have been used for centuries.