In the heart of Jingdezhen, the famed “porcelain capital” in East China’s Jiangxi province, creative energy is injecting new life into its historical landscape. An exemplary instance is the Taoyangli Imperial Kiln Historical Block, a meticulously preserved and restored old suburb that has blossomed into one of the city’s premier entertainment hubs.
Photo – courtesy of the China Daily ©
Nestled within this historical block are imperial kiln ruins, museums, and ceramic workshops, collectively providing visitors with an immersive journey into the rich tapestry of porcelain culture. The pathways, crafted from repurposed ceramic tiles damaged during production, narrate a unique story of resourcefulness, breathing vitality into the city’s porcelain legacy.
The area is undergoing further revitalization as the local government intensifies efforts to restore antiquated regions. Since 2016, a series of urban renewal initiatives centred around the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum and infrastructure enhancements around the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Factory scenic area, have been underway.
Today, Taoyangli historical block stands as Jingdezhen’s most meticulously preserved area, housing an array of historical buildings. To propagate Chinese ceramic culture and safeguard the city’s memories, the area has evolved, accommodating over 500 homestays and workshops run by masters and inheritors of ceramic-making skills.
In 2021, Dai Xiaoling, a senior arts and crafts master of Jiangxi province, established a ceramic workshop in the historical block. Here, guests can partake in hands-on experiences, from pottery throwing to glazing ceramics. Dai expressed, “Our family has been crafting handmade ceramics at imperial kiln factories for generations. We are the custodians of this craft, seeking tranquillity to pursue our art, convey our values, and impart our knowledge to others.”
The spirit of creative ceramic culture also thrives in Taoxichuan, or Ceramic Art Avenue, the former site of Yuzhou Porcelain Factory—one of Jingdezhen’s 10 major porcelain factories during the early days of the People’s Republic of China. Transforming the heritage of the ceramic industry through structural renovations and environmental enhancements, Taoxichuan has emerged as an urban creative district, seamlessly blending tradition, fashion, art, and high technology.
From industrial heritage museums to modern art galleries and ceramic art shops, visitors can easily immerse themselves in the distinctive allure born at the crossroads of ancient pottery factories and contemporary art in these historical blocks. Hosting year-round activities and events, one of the highlights is the Taoxichuan Spring and Autumn Art Fair. Held from Oct 17-19, it drew over 500 artists and craftsmen from around the globe. The fair featured a spectrum of activities, including traditional craftsmanship, contemporary art displays, musical performances, food festivals, art exhibitions, lectures, product launches, study tours, and courses on intangible cultural heritage—painting a diverse and vibrant vision of Jingdezhen for the world to behold.
