In 1398, the Ming Dynasty in China initiated a series of maritime expeditions led by Admiral Zheng He, primarily departing from Nanjing. These voyages aimed to establish trade routes and diplomatic relations across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and beyond. The expeditions greatly expanded China's influence and knowledge of distant cultures, fostering a spirit of exploration and exchange that would resonate through literature and art for centuries.

The Ming voyages inspired poets and writers to explore themes of adventure, discovery, and cultural exchange in their works. The accounts of Zheng He's travels influenced later literary movements, including the romanticization of exploration in Chinese poetry. Notable poets like Xuanzang, who wrote about travels, reflect the impact of such expeditions on the literary imagination.