Microsoft Oceans
Chinese Explorers
Chinese Explorers

Ancient sailors who crossed the Indian and Pacific oceans a thousand years before the European Age of Discovery.

KindPeople & the sea Zone Coast & tide poolsOpen ocean Found in Indian OceanPacific Ocean

The Chinese belong to one of the oldest civilizations on the globe, and have a lengthy seagoing history. They produced the greatest variety of sailing vessels, and the junk is one of the most seaworthy ships ever built. Chinese mariners had developed the compass long before anyone in the Western World found an alternative to navigating by the sun and the stars. Chinese explorers and traders were crossing the Indian and Pacific oceans to reach other continents a thousand years before the European Age of Discovery.

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Trade tycoons

Trade tycoons

The Chinese were busy as traders first, and as explorers second. They traded silk with the Roman Empire as early as 74 A.D.; exchanged spices and silver for furs and ivory in Constantinople and Baghdad from 500 to 1100; set up a brisk trade with the Venetians in 1200; and did business with the Portuguese in the 1500s.

Eighteenth century Ch'ing Dynasty platePorcelain—a translucent white type of pottery—was invented by the Chinese. That's why we often call porcelain "china," regardless of where it was made.
Chinese trade routesThe great admiral Cheng Ho made seven expeditions between 1405 and 1433 in search of trade and influence in the Indian Ocean region. Accompanied by tens of thousands of men, he visited 30 countries and covered more than 75,000 miles!
Bringing it home

Bringing it home

Chinese merchants traded their goods to many nations for exotic treasures like these.

Peacock feathersChinese merchants returned with peacock feathers and pearls from India.
Rhino horn on scaleAncient Chinese traders imported rhino horns and elephant ivory from Africa. Many animal parts, such as rhino horns and tiger bones, are still used in Asian medicines, which causes problems: these animals are now endangered, and trading their body parts is illegal in most places.
Fish eyes

Fish eyes

The fish is very important in Chinese culture. The Chinese believe that because it never closes its eyes, it is watchful, and can help avert disaster.

A very watchful fishThis fish would be a great guardian! These huge eyes belong to a deep-sea hatchetfish.
Eyes on boatsFrom early times the Chinese painted fish eyes on the bows of junks as a symbol of good luck. On fishing junks the eyeballs are set low, as if on the lookout for fish.

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Floating villages — Floating villages made of junks and other small craft bound together are found in coastal areas throughout Asia. Entire families live and work in these communities, which have their own schools, clinics, and stores. The residents are mostly fishermen and traders.

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Sailing Ships

Source: Microsoft Oceans (1995) CD-ROM. Text liberated from original screen art; images, audio & clips restored from disc. Original media is Microsoft/supplier copyright — non-commercial educational preservation. Credits & Acknowledgements