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Zheng He Facts & Worksheets

Zheng He was one of the greatest Chinese admirals, explorers and diplomats in history.

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Muslim Chinese leader Zheng He played a significant role in the 276-year Ming Dynasty, which controlled China from 1368 to 1644. Zheng He has earned the moniker “Christopher Columbus” of China thanks to his astonishing journeys to far-off locales like East Africa, the Middle East, and Sri Lanka. He was a great diplomat, counselor, ambassador, naval and military leader, and political insider. Through his missions, trade with China considerably increased.

See the fact file below for more information on Zheng He, or you can download our 25-page Zheng He worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Personal Life

  • Zheng He belongs to the Hui people, a Muslim component of Chinese culture. He was the second son of a big family and was born in 1371. Ma He was his birth name, and Ma Hajji was his father. He was born into a Muslim household but isn’t sure of his religious beliefs.
  • When he was ten, Zheng’s birthplace and ancestral home of Yunnan had been overrun by Ming armies. The Mongols were in charge of Yunnan at the time. Historical accounts of the precise circumstances and allegiance of Ma Hajji varied, but they all agree that his father died while battling the Ming forces. 
  • The Ming soldiers kidnapped Ma He in 1381, killing his father in the process. At age 10, he was transformed into a eunuch and transported to Beiping to work in the household of Zhu Di, a 21-year-old Prince of Yan who subsequently rose to the position of Yongle Emperor.
  • He studied Islam since he was reared as a Muslim. His father Ma Haji’s strong demeanor, brilliant military intellect, and philanthropic disposition greatly impacted him. Ma He was well-educated as a youngster, frequently reading works by illustrious thinkers like Confucius and Mencius. He showed early signs of curiosity about the outside world.
  • When Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang passed away in 1402, Ma He played a crucial role in Zhu Di’s attempt to usurp the throne. Zhu Di, the emperor’s eldest living son, was first denied the throne until Zhu Di’s nephew, the crown prince’s son, took the post.
  • In his master’s service, Zheng He’s most essential task was as commander-in-chief of the new treasure fleet, which would act as the emperor’s principal envoy to the peoples of the Indian Ocean basin. He attained the greatest status ever held by a eunuch in Chinese history at the age of 35.

Zheng He’s Voyage

  • The first journey of Zheng He started in July 1405. They sailed westward from Liujiagan Port in Taicang, Jiangsu Province. More than 27,800 crew members and 208 boats, including 62 Treasure Ships, made up the fleet. They visited modern-day Vietnam, and they met the king and gave him presents. The visit was cordial, and the King was grateful for Zheng He and the emperor’s charitable act.
  • The fleet departed and went to Malacca (the Spice Islands), Java, Sumatra, across the Indian Ocean, and then west to Cochin and Calicut, India. In addition to visiting royal courts and fostering relationships on behalf of the Chinese emperor, the numerous stops involved trade in spices and other items. Upon his return, he informed the emperor about the several new species he had seen. When Zheng He returned to China in 1407, his first trip ended.
  • The second and third expeditions of Zheng He traveled along the same path as his first. Zheng He’s fourth journey would be his most magnificent yet. He made stops in locations like Java and Sumatra and visited ports on the Malay Peninsula and the coast of Siam (now known as Thailand). The Chinese Emperor was eager to show off China’s resources and might. Zheng He sailed with 63 massive ships and a crew of almost 27,000 men.
  • He set off once more for the Malay Peninsula, Sri Lanka, and Calicut, India. Zheng He and his fleet also traveled to the Maldives and Laccadive Islands to the Hormuz in the Persian Gulf instead of staying at Calicut as they did on previous voyages.  They conducted commerce with other leaders for spices and silk along the journey. In 1415, he went back to Nanjing. 
  • The Yongle Emperor gave Zheng He the command to send the envoys home in 1417. Zheng He returned to the waters and embarked on his fifth journey with his sizable fleet. He visited several of the exact locations, like Java and Sumatra, and gave letters and valuables to the many monarchs that Zheng He encountered. Zheng He ventured into uncharted seas on this voyage, sailing to the African countries of Kenya and the coast of Somalia. In 1419, he went back to China.
  • The sixth journey of Zheng He was the shortest of all. He was given the go-ahead to send the remaining envoys back to their home nations. He returned to several ports he had previously visited and to the Somali region around Mogadishu. Before returning to China in September 1422, he also traveled to Thailand.
  • The emperor had passed away by the time he arrived back, and every expedition was put on hold by the new emperor. Zheng He continued to serve the new emperor at the royal court, focusing on building a big temple. It took Zheng He almost another ten years before he embarked on his seventh and last journey.

Death and Legacy

  • Zheng He did not take command of the massive Treasure Fleet during his seventh journey until 1431. Before landing in Calicut, India, they traveled to Java, Sumatra, and numerous other Asian locations. During this journey, Zheng He momentarily separated from the fleet to do his hajj in the Muslim holy city of Mecca. Zheng He became sick and died in 1433. It is unknown if he returned to China or perished on his final epic expedition.
  • Zheng He’s travels to the western oceans increased China’s global political prominence. He established new, cordial links with other countries while strengthening commercial contacts between the east and west. 
  • Regrettably, the official imperial records of his expeditions were lost. Because of the unusual nature of his trips, the exact purpose of his expeditions, the routes traveled, and the size of his fleets are extensively discussed. 
  • Nonetheless, his leadership and values have been acknowledged throughout Chinese history for millennia. The day of his first trip, July 11, is commemorated as China’s National Maritime Day.
  • Chinese explorer Zheng He oversaw seven significant expeditions for the Chinese emperor. These journeys traversed the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and the east coast of Africa. His seven expeditions span 1405 to 1433 and include diplomatic, military, and commercial missions. 
  • His original name was a transliteration of Muhammad into Chinese.
  • The most deadly pirate of the period, Chen Zuyi, was conquered by Zheng He.
  • Zheng is regarded as the finest admiral in Chinese history.
  • Zheng He’s travels increased China’s global political sway. While advancing trade between the east and west, he established diplomatic connections with other countries.
  • He was the Yongle emperor’s most well-known ambassador. His expeditions had the result of expanding China’s influence across maritime Asia for fifty years.
  • Though Zheng He did not claim to have discovered America, he credits his journeys with inspiring a new maritime silk route, which is now being pushed to increase Chinese trade and influence overseas. Though Columbus and Zheng He traversed the oceans, their goals differed.

Zheng He Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Zheng He across 25 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Zheng He worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Zheng He, who was one of the greatest Chinese admirals, explorers, and diplomats in history. He was known for his seven epic voyages made between 1405 and 1433 in the early Ming Dynasty.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Zheng He Facts
  • The Three-Jewel Eunuch
  • Zheng’s Words
  • That’s Ming
  • Explore Explorers!
  • Why Sail?
  • Zheng He’s Voyage
  • Behind the Map
  • Zheng’s Truth
  • Precious China
  • Image Analysis

Frequently Asked Question

Who was Zheng He, and what did he discover?

Chinese explorer Zheng He oversaw seven significant expeditions for the Chinese emperor. These journeys traversed the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and the east coast of Africa. His seven expeditions span 1405 to 1433 and include diplomatic, military, and commercial missions. 

What are three interesting facts about Zheng He?

  • His original name was a transliteration of Muhammad into Chinese.
  • The most deadly pirate of the period, Chen Zuyi, was conquered by Zheng He.
  • Zheng is regarded as the finest admiral in Chinese history.

How did Zheng He impact the world?

Zheng He’s travels increased China’s global political sway. While advancing trade between the east and west, he established diplomatic connections with other countries.

What is Zheng He best known for?

He was the Yongle emperor’s most well-known ambassador. His expeditions had the result of expanding China’s influence across maritime Asia for fifty years.

Did Zheng He discover America?

Though Zheng He did not claim to have discovered America, he credits his journeys with inspiring a new maritime silk route, which is now being pushed to increase Chinese trade and influence overseas. Though Columbus and Zheng He traversed the oceans, their goals differed.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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