Rebel leader Zhu Yuanzhang becomes the Hongwu Emperor and drives the Mongols from Dadu, ending the Yuan dynasty.
The Jikji, an anthology of Zen Buddhist teachings, is the world's oldest extant book printed with movable metal type.
General Yi Seong-gye overthrows Goryeo and founds the Joseon dynasty, which lasts more than five centuries.
Admiral Zheng He leads seven Ming treasure voyages to Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, Arabia and East Africa.
Ming forces defeat the Hồ dynasty (1406–1407) and annex the country as the province of Jiaozhi.
The Moroccan scholar Ibn Battuta travels across the Islamic world and beyond, from West Africa to China, for nearly three decades.
Lê Lợi launches a revolt at Lam Sơn (Thanh Hóa) against Ming rule; the ten-year struggle restores independence.