South China Sea

These waters lie off the coast where Fujian and Guangdong meet, near the island of Nan'ao. Merchant ships bound overseas sailed past its reefs with cargoes from the kilns of southeastern China. One vessel sank near the island during the Ming Wanli reign, carrying thousands of ceramics, including wares from Zhangzhou and Jingdezhen. Its cargo bears witness to both the scale and the perils of coastal trade.