Chinese Seagoing Ship

Timeline

1. c. 1000–1127Quanzhou in Fujian and Guangzhou · Southeast coastIn the Northern Song, shipyards in Fujian and Guangdong developed large fuchuan and guangchuan using watertight bulkheads, balanced rudders and multi-masted rigging, with cargo capacity of several thousand shi, supporting ocean trade with Southeast Asia, South Asia and the Arab world.
2. 1231–1240South China Sea route to Champa and Srivijaya · South China SeaAfter the Mongols destroyed Jin, the Song–Mongol standoff intensified; the Huai River line became a battlefield and overland grain transport and trade routes were blocked. Southern Song seagoing ships remained active on South China Sea routes, carrying porcelain, silk and copper coins from Quanzhou and Guangzhou to Champa and Srivijaya, and returning with spices, ivory and rice seed, sustaining maritime trade revenue.
3. 1240–1279Quanzhou port · Quanzhou CityIn the mid-to-late Southern Song, Quanzhou became the world's largest port and the seagoing fleet reached an unprecedented scale; Marco Polo called the Chinese ships he saw the largest of their time. Their huge hulls and fine rigging could withstand storms on voyages to India's west coast, and the technology carried through to the Yuan and Ming eras of Zheng He's voyages.