Cheng Ho Treasure Boat

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The main boat used during Zheng He's Epic Voyage to the Western Oceans is called Treasure Boat. It adopts the boat type from Fuzhou prefecture, a kind of significant boat quite suitable for ocean voyage in ancient China. Narrow at the bottom and broad on the boat surface, the tall building-like boat also features its being flanked by protection boards at its two sides and the sharp bow and square stern raising high. Its cabin adopts the watertight bulkhead structure. The narrow bottom and sharp bow enable the boat to move against waves and to submerge a good depth in water, thus making it safe, stable and comfortable. It is the most advanced sea boat applied in South Ocean and Western Ocean route and is also the biggest wooden sailboat in ancient world.

Famous Boats in Ancient China

The shipbuilding in China enjoys a history almost as long as the development of mankind. Through thousands of years, ships have been developed from the raft, canoe, wooden boat, oared boat, wooden sailboat, steamship, and airscrew-propelled vessel to modern steel vessel. The various models, structures, rigs and propelling forces are full embodiment of the diversification in human wisdom and creativity. Among all ships in ancient China, the most famous and influential ones are the towered ship in the Han Dynasty, the grand dragon boat in the Sui Dynasty and Zheng He's treasure boat in the Ming Dynasty.

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Towered Ship of the Han Dynasty

Towered Ship of the Han Dynasty

The towered ship appeared long before the Han Dynasty, but it hadn't been developed until then. The towered ships in the Han Dynasty were as high as over 33 meters standing in a lofty and majestic...
Grand Dragon Boat in the Sui Dynasty

Grand Dragon Boat in the Sui Dynasty

In 640 A.D., Yang Guang, Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, ordered to build several dozens of dragon boats and other boats for his trip to Yangzhou. His grand dragon boat was about 13.3 meters high...