Taoyangli, Jingdezhen: A Time Specimen Tempered by a Millennium of Kiln Fire

Introduction
Jingdezhen, known as the thousand-year-old porcelain capital, is famous worldwide for its unique ceramic culture. Taoyangli, as the core area of Jingdezhen’s ceramic culture, carries countless ceramic stories and historical memories. On this trip, I specially visited this charming land to experience the profound heritage of ceramic culture.

First Impressions of Taoyangli
Walking into Taoyangli, the first thing that catches the eye is the orderly ancient architectural complex. Bluestone paths, white walls, and black tiles make it feel like stepping back into the prosperous ancient era of the ceramic industry. Most of the buildings here retain the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties, with every brick and tile revealing the vicissitudes and weight of history.

Strolling through the narrow alleys, you can often see ceramic workshops and artisans. They either focus on throwing clay or carefully carving, fully immersed in ceramic creation. Their dedication and passion for ceramic art deeply moved me.

Exploring Ancient Kiln Sites
Taoyangli not only has rich historical buildings but also hides many ancient kiln sites. I made a special visit to several well-known ancient kiln sites. Although these kiln sites have weathered many years, they still retain their original appearance.

Standing in front of the kiln mouth, I seemed to hear the roaring furnace fire and the crackling sounds of ceramic firing from the past. Looking at the broken kiln walls and scattered ceramic fragments, I couldn’t help but imagine the prosperous scene of ceramic production here in those days. These ancient kiln sites are not only witnesses to ceramic culture but also a microcosm of the development of Jingdezhen’s ceramic industry.

Experiencing Ceramic Making
Since I was in Taoyangli, how could I not personally experience ceramic making? I signed up for a ceramic making experience course. Under the guidance of a pottery teacher, I clumsily tried throwing clay and carving. Although my skills were unskilled, every step was full of novelty and fun.

Watching the ceramic piece I made with my own hands slowly take shape, the sense of accomplishment was beyond words. This experience not only gave me a deeper understanding of ceramic making but also made me admire the highly skilled ceramic artisans even more.

Savoring Ceramic Culture
Besides visiting and experiencing, Taoyangli also offers many exhibitions and lectures about ceramic culture. I attended a lecture on the history of Jingdezhen ceramics. Through the expert’s explanation, I gained a more comprehensive understanding of the development of Jingdezhen ceramics.

In addition, I tasted local ceramic-themed cuisine and specialty snacks. These dishes not only had unique flavors but also cleverly incorporated ceramic elements, allowing people to feel the charm of ceramic culture while enjoying the food.

Conclusion
This trip to Taoyangli gave me a deeper understanding of Jingdezhen’s ceramic culture. Here, there are not only rich historical relics and cultural heritage but also a group of people who love ceramics and carry on ceramic culture. Their dedication and efforts fill this land with vitality and energy.

I believe that in the days to come, Taoyangli will continue to attract visitors from all over the world with its unique charm. And I will definitely return to this land to continue exploring those stories and memories about ceramics.

Basic Information
- Tickets: Taoyangli adult ticket is 53 yuan, allowing up to 5 entries and exits on the same day. The Imperial Kiln Museum is free but requires advance reservation via the “Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum” WeChat public account.
- Opening Hours: Taoyangli 8:30 AM - 10:00 PM; Imperial Kiln Museum Tuesday to Sunday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, closed on Mondays.
- Transportation: You can take the bus to “Taoyangli Imperial Kiln Scenic Area” or “Huada Department Store” stops. For self-driving, there is an underground parking lot at the East Gate; on holidays, parking is available along Jiangdong Road. Electric scooters can also be rented for 25-30 yuan/day.

Must-Visit Attractions
- Longzhu Pavilion: A landmark building dating back to the Tang Dynasty. The ceramic frame at the South Gate is a popular photo spot, with three layers of ceramic tiles forming the shape of Jiangxi Province. Climbing Longzhu Pavilion offers a panoramic view of Taoyangli.
- Imperial Kiln Museum: Designed by Tsinghua Academy of Fine Arts, featuring eight arch-shaped buildings with strong artistic sense. The museum houses many official kiln porcelains. The Ming Chenghua plain three-color duck-shaped incense burner in Hall 1 and the “Adult Formation” photo spot in Hall 3 are both worth seeing. The night lighting effects are also excellent.
- Ming and Qing Kiln Clusters: These are intangible cultural heritage kiln groups preserved from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Visitors can watch the entire ceramic production process and find great ceramic goods.
- Xujia Kiln: Here you can see artisans making ceramics live, experience the thousand-year-old porcelain-making techniques, and try throwing clay and glazing. If you catch a kiln opening, you can see ceramics coming out of the kiln with “fire marks.”