Born Ma He (Chinese for Muhammad), Zheng commanded expeditionary voyages to Southeast Asia, South Asia, Western Asia, and East Africa and led China to become the superpower of the Indian Ocean. The legacy of Admiral Zheng He (formerly romanized as Cheng Ho) is forever preserved by locals at a small shrine known as Sam Poh Footprint Temple.
Befitting a great man, the devotees believed that Admiral Zheng He (known as Sam Poh 'Three Jewels' to the locals) had left his footprint in Penang, and a temple was build in honor of the legendary explorer.