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Chengcheng ceramics are primarily produced in Yaotou Town, designated as a "Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units" in 2013. According to the Chengcheng Place Names Records, Yaotou Kiln, formerly known as "Yaotou Town," earned its name due to the large number of porcelain kilns there. Furthermore, because the ancient sage "Yao" and "kiln" sound similar, the elegant character "Yao" gradually replaced the "kiln" in the porcelain kiln. The place name, Yaotou Town, continues to be used today.
Yaotou Kiln is one of the famous folk porcelain kilns in the history of Weinan, Shaanxi. The site is an integral part of my country's traditional porcelain-making history and culture. It is one of the famous kilns in the Yellow River Basin in northern my country. It has played an extremely important role in inheriting, promoting and developing the Yaozhou Kiln, enriching the distribution of kilns in Shaanxi Province. It is a typical representative of folk porcelain kilns in the north and has important significance for the study of ancient porcelain kilns in northern my country.
The Yaotou Kiln Site extends from Baijiacheng in the east to Chengbai Road in the north, from Xipo Village in the west to the edge of the ditch in the south, covering an area of about four square kilometers. The entire site includes ancient kiln sites, porcelain fragment accumulation layers, ancient residential buildings, ancient roads, ancient trees, workshops and kaolin.
According to relevant data and archaeological inferences from the Yangshao Culture, the Yaotou Kiln dates back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC–8 AD). The Chengcheng County Annals of the Ming Dynasty record that "Chengcheng purple clay" dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618 AD). The Tongzhou Prefecture Annals, printed in the fifth year of the Tianqi reign of the Ming Dynasty, also note that "ceramics were produced in Yaotou, Chengcheng." The Jiaqing County Annals of the Qing Dynasty note that Chengcheng produced purple clay ware, characterized by its simplicity and durability. The Chengcheng Supplementary Annals of the 15th year of the Republic of China (1915) note that craftsmanship was not flourishing in the area, with no other specialty products. The only notable product was porcelain from Changrun Town (Yaotou), while the rest were commonplace. This suggests that the Yaotou Kiln in Chengcheng has a history of continuously producing ceramics spanning over a thousand years. It is one of the renowned folk kilns in the Yellow River Basin of northern my country.
The warm temperate continental monsoon climate makes it suitable for travel in all four seasons.
Yaotou Kiln in Chengcheng County, Shaanxi Province, is a renowned ceramic production center with a long history and splendid culture, making it a true treasure of Chinese ceramic art. The kilns are vast, and the finished products are antique, simple, lovely, exquisite, and highly valuable, making them a valuable collectible for all ages.
It is recommended to play for 2 hours.
free
Open all day
Yaotou Kiln Cultural Scenic Area preserves the heritage of traditional Shaanxi pottery. It showcases centuries-old ceramic techniques and serves as a cultural hub to understand local craftsmanship and history.
Located in Huayin, Shaanxi Province. Accessible by taxi, local bus, or private car from Huayin city center.
Open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Early morning or weekdays are recommended for fewer crowds and better photography.
The ticket price is approximately 40–60 CNY. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance or via local tourism websites.
Advance booking is suggested during peak tourist seasons or holidays, ideally 1–2 days ahead.
Allocate around 2–3 hours to explore kilns, museums, workshops, and surrounding scenic areas.
Guided tours are usually available in Chinese. English or other languages may require prior arrangement.
Night visits are generally not available. Special cultural events or workshops may occur during festivals.
Weekdays and mornings are the least crowded. Holidays and weekends may attract more visitors, especially school groups.
Mostly accessible, though some kiln areas may have uneven terrain. Wheelchair access may be limited.
Cash, Alipay, and WeChat Pay are accepted. Credit cards may not be widely accepted.
Restaurants and cafes nearby offer local Shaanxi cuisine and snacks, usually within a short walk from the scenic area.
Vegetarian options are available; halal options may be limited and should be checked in advance.
Several guesthouses and small hotels are available in Huayin city center, within short driving distance.
Souvenir shops sell traditional ceramics, pottery art, and handcrafted items representative of Shaanxi culture.
