Departure of Zheng He's Fourth Voyage to the Western Seas

Timeline

1. 1413Taiping Harbor, Changle, Fujian · Fujian ProvinceZheng He's fleet assembled at Taiping Harbor in Changle, Fujian, replenishing provisions, repairing treasure ships, and formally departing after worshipping at the Temple of the Heavenly Consort. Changle had become the fixed port of call and departure since the third voyage, and the stele 'Record of the Miraculous Responses of the Heavenly Consort' later recorded it as the base for all the voyages.
2. 1413–1414Strait of Malacca and Indian Ocean routes · Indian OceanThe fleet sailed south through Malacca, turned west, crossed the Bay of Bengal, and entered the Indian Ocean. The fourth voyage first extended its main objective to the mouth of the Persian Gulf, marking the expansion of Ming navigation from coastal waters to the open ocean.
3. 1414–1415Calicut (Kozhikode) · IndiaThe fleet reached Calicut on India's west coast, invested the local ruler, and conducted tributary trade with Hormuz and other places. The fourth voyage pushed Ming influence to the Persian Gulf, bringing back tribute including lions and qilin (giraffes), astonishing the court.