Jingdezhen, Porcelain Capital 景德镇Jǐngdézhèn

Why go to Jingdezhen, Porcelain Capital

Jingdezhen has made porcelain for more than a thousand years, and clay still runs through daily life here. See the excavated imperial kiln site and the striking brick-vaulted Imperial Kiln Museum (closed on Mondays), watch artisans throw and paint in the old workshop quarters, then browse studios where young ceramicists from all over the world sell their work.

The story

The city takes its name from Jingde, the reign title of a Song emperor whose court ordered porcelain from its kilns in the early 11th century. Under the Ming and Qing it ran the imperial kilns, and its blue-and-white wares were shipped across Asia and Europe.

What to see at Jingdezhen, Porcelain Capital

• Imperial Kiln site 御窑厂遗址: The excavated remains of the Ming and Qing imperial kilns in the old centre, with the museum's brick-vaulted galleries; the heart of the city's history.
• Taoxichuan 陶溪川: A former porcelain-factory district of red-brick workshops and tall chimneys turned into studios, galleries, shops and cafés.
• Ancient Kiln Folk Customs Museum 古窑民俗博览区: A hands-on site with traditional kilns, workshops and displays showing how porcelain was made by hand.
• Hutian ancient kiln site 湖田古瓷窑址: A nationally protected kiln complex that produced porcelain from the Five Dynasties through to the Ming.
• Sanbao village 三宝村: A small village of artists' studios, private museums and homestays, with ceramic details on many of the houses.

How to visit Jingdezhen, Porcelain Capital

Begin with the Imperial Kiln site and museum (closed on Mondays except public holidays), then walk or ride to Taoxichuan for studios and an evening stroll. A full day also fits the Ancient Kiln Folk Customs Museum (also closed on Mondays) or Sanbao village, and a hands-on workshop where you paint or throw a piece. The Hutian kiln site and the old town of Yaoli lie outside the centre and need a car or taxi.

How to get to Jingdezhen, Porcelain Capital

Jingdezhen has train links to Nanchang and Huangshan and a small airport, making it an easy add-on to a Wuyuan or Huangshan trip. The main sights are a short taxi ride from each other.

Where to stay

Stay in the city centre around Zhushan District, close to the Imperial Kiln site, or near Taoxichuan for studios and evening markets; both are easy to walk or take a short ride between.

What to eat

• Cold rice noodles 冷粉: Coarse rice noodles dressed cold with chilli and sauces, a Jingdezhen classic eaten at breakfast and late at night.
• Alkaline-water rice cake 碱水粑: A chewy rice cake made with alkaline water, a local New Year and everyday snack.
• Dumpling rice cake 饺子粑: A dumpling-shaped rice cake with a savoury filling, found at small local shops.

Tips for visiting Jingdezhen, Porcelain Capital

• Visit the Taoxichuan arts district on a Friday or Saturday evening, when its weekend creative market and cafes are busiest.
• Many studios let visitors try throwing or painting a piece; ask around the Sculpture Factory (Diaosu Chang) area.
• Local packing services know how to crate fragile ceramics for shipping home.

Nearby

• Wuyuan Villages 婺源 60 km
  White-walled villages among yellow rapeseed in spring and red chillies in autumn
• Mount Sanqing 三清山 90 km
  Granite pillars in cloud and pine, and cliffside plank walks to a Taoist palace
• Xidi 西递村 100 km
  A quieter UNESCO twin of Hongcun: flagstone lanes, merchant houses and a Ming archway
• Hongcun Village 宏村 110 km
  A merchant village planned in the shape of an ox, mirrored in its own pond

Also within 30 km: Xiangjilong Ming Houses 祥集弄民宅 (under 10 km), Ancient Kiln Folk Customs Museum, Jingdezhen 古窑民俗博览区 (under 10 km), Taoxichuan Creative Quarter 陶溪川文创街区 (under 10 km), Hutian Kiln Site and Folk Kiln Museum 湖田古瓷窑址 (under 10 km), Mingfangyuan Ceramics Park 名坊园 (under 10 km), Jiangxi Helicopter Science and Technology Museum 江西直升机科技馆 (under 10 km).

On the map

Open Jingdezhen, Porcelain Capital on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.

Learn more

• Wikipedia: Jingdezhen