Spent 3 days in Jingdezhen, and my spending habits totally collapsed

Babes! I made ceramics, visited the ancient kiln, and drank cold noodles in Jingdezhen. I spent 3 days like a craftsman and actually spent less than buying a tea set?! You can experience wheel throwing for 10 yuan and eat your fill of porcelain snacks for 20 yuan. These prices left me stunned🏺 Quick guide!

Recommended Reasons

Who doesn’t love a summer that’s “white as jade, clear as a mirror”?! In July, Jingdezhen is super cool under the shade of trees. You can watch the millennium-old kiln fire up (the 10 a.m. show is amazing) and make ceramics by hand (50 yuan to take your exclusive piece home). Students and artsy youth, this is your call!

Transportation Guide

✈️ Plane: Jingdezhen Luojia Airport, taxi to Taoxichuan costs 20 yuan, bus line 602 goes directly to downtown
🚄 High-speed rail: Taxi from Jingdezhen North Station to the ancient kiln costs 30 yuan, bus line 901 reaches Taoxichuan
🚌 Local transport: Riding an electric bike (30 yuan/day) to tour porcelain factories is awesome. Taxi starting fare in the old town is 6 yuan, usually under 10 yuan for short rides.

Itinerary

Day 1: Ancient Kiln Folk Expo Area - Taoxichuan
Morning: Watch master potters wheel throwing at the ancient kiln; the July dragon kiln firing show (10 a.m.) is very ceremonial
Noon: Eat cold noodles with fried dough sticks wrapped in glutinous rice cakes, spicy enough to make you gasp, paired with iced mung bean soup
Afternoon: Stroll through Taoxichuan’s creative shops; the old factory buildings turned into a street district are perfect for photos
Evening: Hunt for small porcelain items at Taoxichuan night market; you can buy a hand-painted cup for 10 yuan

Day 2: Yaoli Ancient Town - Gaoling Village
Morning: Visit Yaoli Ancient Town, the “Porcelain Tea Ancient Town”; in July, the flowing creek and ancient bridges look like ink paintings
Noon: Eat steamed pork with bitter acorn tofu, so fragrant you’ll lick your plate
Afternoon: Visit Gaoling Village to see the “Porcelain Clay Mine Site”; in July, the tea mountains are shrouded in mist, like stepping into the book “Tiangong Kaiwu”
Evening: Return to the city to eat catfish cooked with noodles, so fresh it’ll make your eyebrows raise

Day 3: Sculpture Porcelain Factory - Return
Morning: Visit the “Ghost Market” at the Sculpture Porcelain Factory (opens at 6 p.m. on weekends), hunting for old porcelain is super fun
Noon: Eat beef bone noodles, gnawing the bones and sucking the marrow is incredibly flavorful
Afternoon: Make your own ceramics (50 yuan including firing), take home a unique souvenir

7 Must-Visit Attractions

1. Ancient Kiln Folk Expo Area: Watch the dragon kiln open in July, masters demonstrate “kneading clay” and “shaping,” student tickets are half price and very affordable
2. Taoxichuan: Free! At night in July, the lights make it look like a fairy tale; ceramic trinkets in creative shops start at 10 yuan
3. Yaoli Ancient Town: Free! Less crowded than Wuzhen in July; the bluestone paths at the ancient dock show traces of the “Porcelain Tea Road”
4. Sculpture Porcelain Factory: The weekend “Ghost Market” in July is lively; you can find hand-painted cups for 5 yuan each, and the student vendors are super interesting
5. Imperial Kiln Site: Free! The popular arched wall is perfect for photos in July; the evening light show feels like traveling back to the Ming Dynasty
6. China Ceramics Museum: Free! Air conditioning is strong in July; the replica of the Yuan Dynasty blue-and-white “Guiguzi Descending the Mountain” jar is stunning
7. Sanbao International Ceramic Art Village: Studio open days in July let you watch artists create; the ceramic wall by the creek is very artsy for photos

Local Food Recommendations

1. Cold Noodles: The soul of Jingdezhen! The sour and spicy flavor in July is super appetizing, with dried radish and crushed peanuts, 10 yuan/bowl
2. Fried Dough Wrapped Glutinous Rice Cake: Sweet and savory lovers rejoice! Fried dough wrapped around sticky glutinous rice cake, 5 yuan each, perfect for a filling breakfast
3. Steamed Pork: A must-eat in Yaoli! Made with new rice in July, the rice powder wraps the meat, fragrant but not greasy, 25 yuan per serving enough for two
4. Catfish Cooked with Noodles: Freshly killed catfish cooked with vermicelli, the broth is so fresh you’ll drink it all, 30 yuan per serving, so fresh you’ll stomp your feet
5. Bitter Acorn Tofu: A Yaoli specialty! Eaten in July to clear heat and grease, stir-fried with cured meat is super fragrant, 15 yuan per serving
6. Mung Bean Soup: The life-saving drink in July! With mint for a refreshing spicy relief, 3 yuan per bowl, available at street stalls

Local Accommodation Recommendations

1. Taoxichuan Homestay: Old factory building renovation, loft design with great style, about 100 yuan per person
2. Yaoli Ancient Town Farmhouse: Window views of the creek, the owner cooks local ceramic city dishes, about 80 yuan per person including breakfast
3. Guesthouse near Sculpture Porcelain Factory: 5-minute walk to porcelain factories, the owner can take you treasure hunting, about 70 yuan per person, great value

Tips

1. July is rainy in Jingdezhen! Bring a folding umbrella and non-slip shoes; Yaoli Ancient Town is super magical after rain🌧️
2. Don’t impulse buy porcelain! Visit 3 shops before buying; you can bargain at Taoxichuan (don’t hesitate to cut prices in half)
3. Choose the morning for making ceramics! Masters have more energy and patience to teach you; firing takes 3 days, but they can ship it to your home
4. Don’t add too much chili to cold noodles! Local small chili peppers are fierce; mild spiciness is just right🌶️

Jingdezhen is truly a healing treasure! Three days of hands-on fun and heartfelt experiences, spending little money while taking home exclusive memories. Tag your artsy buddy and rush over～ 💕