Wednesday marks the 14th Maritime Day of China. The Chinese government set July 11 as Maritime Day in 2005 to commemorate the voyages of the great Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) navigator Zheng He, who led Chinese fleets on seven ocean voyages as far as America over 600 years ago.
Our editors pick 11 places Zheng had been to for you to enjoy their beauty in modern times.
Halong Bay, Vietnam
The floating village of Vong Vieng village in Halong Bay, Vietnam, May 17, 2013. (Photos: VCG)
Bohol Island, the Philippines
The beautiful scenery of Bohol Island in the Philippines, February 17, 2018.
Semporna, Malaysia
Photo taken on June 27, 2016, shows the stilt houses in Semporna, Malaysia.
Phi Phi Island, Thailand
Photo shows the view of Ton Sai Bay, Phi Phi Don Island on the Andaman Sea in Thailand, August 3, 2012.
Tonlé Sap, Cambodia
Photo taken on September 21, 2016 shows the Tonlé Sap in Cambodia. It is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia.
Uluwatu cliffs, Bali, Indonesia
The Uluwatu cliffs in Bali, Indonesia, February 19, 2010.
Kampong Ayer, Brunei
Photo taken on March 7, 2017 shows the stilt houses of the Kampung Ayer neighborhood in Bandar Seri Bengawan, Brunei.
Varanasi, India
Photo shows the view across the holy river Ganges on Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi, India, February 26, 2017.
Ahsan Manzil, Bangladesh
Photo shows the historic Ahsan Manjil in Dhaka, Bangladesh, July 8, 2007. It had been used as the residential palace and court of the Nawabs of Dhaka.
Persepolis, Iran
The Tachara palace of Darius the great in Persepolis, Marvdasht, Iran, on October 15, 2016.
Old town of Sana'a, Yemen
View of the traditional buildings of the old town of Sana'a, Yemen, May 28, 2015.
(Compiled by Du Mingming)
