Early Ming China was the most prosperous civilization on earth in the early modern period. With a population of more then 100 million, agricultural output increased, national infrastructure was rebuild to its former pre Mongol glory, and a cultural renaissance blossomed. The Yongle Emperor presided over this grandiose empire, which encompassed most of modern China, with the addition of Vietnam, and parts of Burma, and Russia. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:永乐年间的明朝（繁）.png