Jorge Álvares was a Portuguese explorer who is credited with being the first European to set foot in China. He was born in the late 15th century in the Portuguese city of Lisbon. He was a member of the Portuguese nobility and was educated in the court of King Manuel I.
At the age of twenty-five, Álvares was sent by the King to explore the East Indies. He was part of a fleet of ships that sailed from Lisbon in 1513. The fleet was led by Afonso de Albuquerque, who was the first Portuguese viceroy of India. The fleet sailed around the Cape of Good Hope and then headed north along the African coast. They eventually reached the island of Mozambique, where they stopped to restock supplies.
From Mozambique, the fleet sailed eastward and eventually reached the Chinese coast. On July 8, 1513, Álvares and his crew became the first Europeans to set foot in China. They landed at the port of Guangzhou, which was then known as Canton.
The Chinese were initially suspicious of the Portuguese, but eventually allowed them to trade. Álvares and his crew stayed in Guangzhou for several months, trading with the Chinese and learning about their culture. They also explored the surrounding area, including the Pearl River Delta.
In 1514, Álvares and his crew returned to Lisbon. He brought back with him a wealth of knowledge about the East Indies and China. He wrote a book about his travels, which was published in 1515.
In 1517, Álvares was sent back to the East Indies, this time as the captain of a fleet of ships. He explored the coasts of India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. He also visited the Moluccas, which were then known as the Spice Islands.
In 1521, Álvares returned to Lisbon. He was appointed as the captain of the Portuguese fleet in the East Indies. He continued to explore the region and eventually reached the island of Timor. He died there in 1522, at the age of forty-five.
Jorge Álvares was an important figure in the history of exploration. He was the first European to set foot in China and he explored much of the East Indies. His writings and discoveries helped to open up the East to European trade and exploration. He is remembered as a brave and adventurous explorer who helped to shape the history of the world.