Niao Chuan (鳥船)

A replica Zhejiang Niao Chuan built in 2003. Although seaworthy, the replica's sails appear much smaller than historical ships.

The last of the "Four Great Ancient Ships" of China, Niao Chuan is perhaps the least known of the four, owing to its confusing history and relatively short (but no less crucial) period of military significance. 

Niao Chuan first came into prominence in the early 17th century, during a period when a beleaguered Ming Dynasty was facing unprecedented threats from the sea due to the rise of powerful Chinese pirate lords and the arrival of Dutch East India Company with their powerful great ships. Being one of the few Junk-type ships capable of meeting the new challenge, Niao Chuan quickly displaced older types of war junks and became the premier warship favoured by Ming navy and pirate lords alike, and later also adopted by the ascending Qing Dynasty. 

Unfortunately, Niao Chuan's heyday ended almost as quickly as it came. After the downfall of Ming Dynasty, the Dutch were evicted from Formosa by Ming loyalist Koxinga, whose kingdom he founded was in turn defeated by the Qing. With naval threats subsiding, Niao Chuan was also retired from active military service, although it continued to play an important role as an armed merchant ship long after.

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Fu Chuan (福船)

UPDATED AUGUST 17, 2025

Drawing of a Fu Chuan with full bamboo palisade, from 'Jing Guo Xiong Lue (《經國雄略》)'. Note its rolled, rather than folded, sails.

The Fu Chuan (福船, lit. 'Fujian ship'), also known as Bai Cao (白艚, lit. 'White junk'), was a class of Chinese sailing junk originating in Fujian. It was the most widely used and well-known of the "Four Great Ancient Ships" of China, and served as the mainstay of the Ming and Qing navies.

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Guang Chuan (廣船)

UPDATED AUGUST 8, 2025

Drawing of a Guang Chuan. Note the outrigger that extends beyond the hull, as well as armed soldiers inside crow's nests. From 'Deng Tan Bi Jiu (《登壇必究》)'.

Guang Chuan (廣船, lit. 'Guangdong ship') was a class of Chinese junk originating in Guangdong and commonly used across entire Lingnan region. It was one of the "Four Great Ancient Ships" of China, and the one which is least understood.

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Sha Chuan (沙船)

UPDATED JULY 23, 2025

Drawing of a Sha Chuan, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Originating from Chongming Island at the mouth of the Yangtze River, Sha Chuan (沙船, lit. 'Sand ship') was one of the iconic "Four Great Ancient Ships" of China, and one that could trace the longest history.

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