The kingdom of Aden (present-day Aden, Yemen), located at the southern end of the Red Sea, was an important international trading port of the ancient world. Aden was a wealthy country with abundant commodities, including diverse plants and animals. Among the many rare animals Zheng He's delegation encountered in Aden was the giraffe, which they thought to be a qilin, an auspicious animal of Chinese legend. Aden possessed a flourishing commercial sector, as well as fully developed handicraft, goldsmithing, and silversmithing industries. The exquisite gold and silver articles produced in Aden were famous throughout West Asia.

　　Following Zheng He's initial commercial contacts, the Ming Dynasty initiated formal trade relations with Aden in the 14th year of the Yongle reign period (1416 AD). Over the course of several visits, Zheng He engaged in extensive trading in Aden, bringing in large quantities of silk, porcelain, and other Chinese specialties prized by the countries of the region. The King of Aden issued a special edict to the populace, permitting them to engage in unlimited trade with the Chinese fleet, and encouraging them to offer their most precious treasures for sale.