5 Greatest ExplorersOf All Time The history of exploration is filled with remarkable individuals whose journeys have significantly expanded human knowledge and understanding of the world. Here are a few legendary explorers and their contributions. 1. Bodhidharma (5-6 Century CE) Bodhidharma 5-6 Century Bodhidharma, a South Indian dhyana master, possibly a Brahman, travelled to China in the late 5th century. He taught kung fu to Chinese Buddhists, a martial art that later became famous worldwide. 2.Xuanzang or Hauan-tsang (602-664) Xuanzang or Hsuan- tsang (602-664) Xuanzang, a Chinese Buddhist monk and the greatest Asian traveler, journeyed 17 years across the Himalayas to India. His "Great Tang Records on the Western Regions" detailed India's social s...