c. 138 BCE – c. 125 BCE★★★★★
Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions
Emperor Wu of Han sends Zhang Qian to Central Asia, a journey that opens the way for Silk Road trade.
ExplorationEconomy· China
Timeline
4 events2nd century BCE
7th century
- 629 – 645★★★★★
Xuanzang's pilgrimage to India
The monk Xuanzang travels to India and brings back hundreds of Buddhist texts, which he translates into Chinese.
ReligionExploration· China, India
13th century
- 1271 – 1295★★★★★
Travels of Marco Polo
The Venetian merchant Marco Polo travels to China under Kublai Khan; the account of his journey shapes European knowledge of Asia.
Exploration· Italy, China
15th century
- 1405 – 1433★★★★★
Voyages of Zheng He
Admiral Zheng He leads seven Ming treasure voyages to Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean, Arabia and East Africa.
Exploration· China