Cakra Donya Chinese Bell in Aceh

Aceh and China have a historical relationship. Since ancient times Aceh has been a stopover area for Chinese traders in search of spices. One of the historical evidences of Aceh's relations with China is the Cakra Donya bell, a large Chinese gift to Aceh as a symbol of friendship and bilateral relations.

In the 15th century, Admiral Cheng Ho from Dinasty Ming (China) gave the Cakra Donya bell to the Sultan of Pasai (Aceh) in one of his expedition to Aceh. In the 16th century, Pasai under the control of Aceh Darussalam Kingdom, the Cakra Donya bell was brought to the centre of the Aceh Darussalam Sultanate by Sultan Ali Mughayatsyah.

In the 17th century, Sultan Iskandar Muda put the Cakra Donya bell on to the Aceh’s warship. In fact name of the ship. In the 19th century the Cakra Donya bell was hug under the tree in front of the Regional Dutch Office in Kutaraja (Banda Aceh) before it the became a collection of the Aceh Museum December 1915.

Until now, the Cakra Donya bell is still displayed in the courtyard of the Aceh Museum. The existence of this bell has also attracted the attention of several students and researchers to rewrite the history of Aceh's diplomatic relations with China. Some tourists from China also often visit to see the bell.