Ming Fuchuan/Treasure Ship System

Timeline

1. 1403–1405Longjiang, Nanjing · JiangsuThe Yongle Emperor ordered a treasure shipyard set up at Longjiang in Nanjing, integrating Song-Yuan fuchuan techniques to build large wooden sailing ships with multiple decks, masts, and watertight compartments, laying the hull basis for the voyages.
2. 1405–1433Indian Ocean and Southeast Asian routes · Maritime Silk RoadDuring Zheng He's seven voyages, treasure ships combined with horse ships and grain ships formed mixed fleets of several hundred vessels per voyage, showcasing Ming long-range power projection and tributary trade centered on the fuchuan type.
3. 1441–1450Quanzhou and Zhangzhou, Fujian · FujianAfter ocean-going treasure ship construction ended in the 1430s, the fuchuan system still carried grain transport, merchant shipping, and anti-wokou defense along the southeast coast; hulls were smaller than treasure ships but the technical tradition continued into the mid-15th century.