Yixing Yaohu Town Guide: Finding a Touch of Leisurely Time in the Pottery Charm Water Town​

Yaohu Town in Yixing, Jiangsu, is like a hidden gem deep in the Jiangnan region—unassuming yet full of charm. Here, you’ll find the natural gifts of lakes and mountains, as well as the profound heritage of a thousand-year-old pottery culture. A visit here feels like stepping into a slowly unfolding landscape painting.​

A Thousand Years of Kiln Fire Time​
Yixing, known as the "Pottery Capital," showcases its pottery culture vividly in Yaohu Town. The town’s dragon kiln ruins wind like a dragon, quietly telling the stories of potters firing ceramics centuries ago. It is said that the potters, relying on skills passed down from their ancestors, produced countless exquisite ceramics in this kiln, which were sold far and wide. Today, you can still experience pottery making in the workshops, learning wheel throwing and crafting under the guidance of master artisans. Feel the intimate touch between your fingers and the clay, create a piece with your own warmth, carve a unique mark on it, and have it fired and mailed home as a keepsake.​

Must-Visit Spots​
Cloud Train, Entering the Green Wilderness: This little train is so much fun! The track is about 6.2 kilometers long, leisurely circling the town. Sitting in the carriage feels like stepping into a Studio Ghibli animation world. At times, it passes through dense bamboo forests where sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows; at other times, it goes by vast tea gardens, with fresh green tea bushes exuding a refreshing scent. During the day, you can enjoy the lakes and mountains along the way, and at night, there’s a special cyberpunk-style carriage paired with a fireworks special train. It runs at 8:00 PM during the water show, and looking out the window, the water show fireworks and the train complement each other perfectly—every shot looks like a blockbuster.​

“Dragon-Shaped Water Show,” a Dreamy Dance in the Night Sky: When night falls, the town’s highlight—the “Dragon-Shaped Water Show”—starts on time. Inspired by the traditional Chinese zodiac dragon, modern water feature technology perfectly presents the dragon’s form. Water curtains, lasers, and music intertwine, rising and falling with the rhythm. Sometimes the dragon swings its tail majestically; other times, the water waves are gentle and dreamlike. The best viewing spot is on the east side of Chunbo Long Bridge. Arrive early to secure a good spot and immerse yourself in this audiovisual feast—it will definitely be a visual treat.​

Yaohu Boat Ride, Rocking Out Jiangnan’s Gentleness: To feel the gentle charm of Yaohu, take a rowboat. The small boat drifts slowly on the shimmering lake surface, with white walls and black tiles reflected in the water. Occasionally, you might see an elderly woman washing clothes under the weeping willows on the shore. The boatwoman rows while softly humming local folk songs in the Wu dialect, which melts your heart and makes time seem to slow down.​

Intangible Cultural Heritage, Touching Traditional Warmth: The town offers rich intangible cultural heritage experiences! The single bamboo pole drifting performance features artists balancing on a single bamboo pole, gliding effortlessly on the water, their graceful movements drawing gasps from the crowd. Don’t miss the kiln opening ceremony every Saturday at 10:30 AM, held in front of the dragon kiln, recreating the ancient kiln worship scene—solemn and mysterious. You can even participate in lighting the fire and praying for good luck. At Fanli Pottery Workshop, for 200 yuan, you can try making purple clay pottery. Under the master’s guidance, turn a lump of ordinary clay into a unique piece, which will be fired and mailed home, bringing a great sense of accomplishment.​

Two-Day One-Night Fun Itinerary​

Day 1: Arrive in the town in the morning and check in at Yaohu Grand Hotel, which features pottery culture design themed around “kiln.” After dropping off your luggage, head straight to Yaohu Bamboo Rat Water Park, with over 30 water attractions. Whether it’s the thrilling giant trumpet slide or the leisurely bamboo rat drifting, you’ll have a blast. The night session is open until 9:30 PM for endless fun. In the afternoon, stroll through the intangible cultural heritage market, admire exquisite traditional clothing and utensils, try hands-on experiences, listen to live crosstalk performances, and feel the charm of traditional culture. For dinner, find a specialty restaurant in the scenic area to try local delicacies like Yixing black rice and salted pork stewed with bamboo shoots. End the perfect day by watching the “Dragon-Shaped Water Show.”​

Day 2: Get up early to ride the cloud train, pick a window seat, and enjoy the scenery along the way. After getting off, experience the rowboat lake tour and savor the morning tranquility. Then try purple clay pottery making to keep a souvenir. Have lunch in the scenic area, rest a bit, and in the afternoon, pack up and head home with wonderful memories.​

Money-Saving Tips & Thoughtful Reminders​
Tickets & Transportation: Adult tickets are 60 yuan per person; concession tickets are 30 yuan per person (for seniors, children, students, etc.). The first 3,000 ticket buyers each day receive a free cloud train ticket. If coming from out of town, take the high-speed train to Yixing Station, then a taxi about 30 minutes to the scenic area. If driving, navigate to “Yaohu Town P1 Parking Lot.” Parking costs 5 yuan per 24 hours. The shuttle bus inside the scenic area costs 10 yuan per person (free for hotel guests).​

Attractions: Some attractions require additional fees, such as the water park and pottery experiences. Plan ahead according to your preferences. For the water park, it’s recommended to buy the 199 yuan water-and-land combo ticket, which includes the cloud train and is more cost-effective.​

Gear Preparation: Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as most of the town is explored on foot. If visiting in summer, bring a swimsuit for the water park, sunscreen, and a power bank, as rental points are limited. In winter, remember to bring a thick coat, as mornings and evenings can be chilly.​

Travel Impressions​
Leaving Yaohu Town, holding the small pottery cup you made, your heart is full of reluctance. Here, time seems no longer bound by numbers; every moment truly lets you feel the leisure and beauty of life. As a local elder said, “This town, guarding these mountains, waters, and ancestral crafts, lives a steady and free life.” Indeed, in Yaohu Town, we slow down and rediscover the tranquility and poetry hidden beneath the city’s noise. This trip was definitely worth it!

Post by NIA BRIGGS | Aug 20, 2025