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Chen Cheng

Type Figure Region China Time c. 1370–1430 Also known as Chen Cheng

Chen Cheng (dates unknown, active during the Yongle era of the Ming) was a Ming diplomatic envoy and geographical writer who led several missions to …

Timeline

  1. c. 1400–1414Beijing · ChinaChen Cheng entered government service during the Yongle era. Because he was familiar with frontier affairs and conditions in the Western Regions, the court selected him for missions there, carrying out diplomatic and intelligence-gathering tasks.
  2. 1414–1420Herat · AfghanistanBetween 1414 and 1420, Chen Cheng led missions to the Western Regions several times, reaching Herat, Samarkand, and other places, negotiating with the Timurid Empire and Central Asian states, and carefully recording the geography and customs along the way.
  3. 1420–1430Beijing · ChinaAfter returning to China, Chen Cheng compiled his mission observations into the Xiyu Fanzhi, systematically describing the cities, roads, products, and institutions of the Western Regions, an important document for studying 15th-century Central Asian communications.

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