Jingdezhen: The Glory and Renaissance of the Millennium Porcelain Capit
Jingdezhen, an ancient city nestled in southeastern China, is a dazzling jewel of Chinese civilization and world culture. With its long history, exceptional porcelain craftsmanship, and rich cultural heritage, it stands not only as a key symbol of millennia of Chinese history but also as an outstanding representative and shining center of global ceramic art.
（Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum）
The Timeless Charm of Porcelain, Sailing to the World
As early as the 11th century, Jingdezhen’s porcelain began its journey along the Maritime Silk Road, reaching distant lands across the world. These ancient porcelain pieces, known for their exquisite craftsmanship and unique charm, sparked a large-scale transformation in human lifestyles. They not only satisfied people’s practical needs but also became treasures avidly collected by nobility and royalty. In the 16th century, in the Italian Renaissance masterpiece The Feast of the Gods, Jingdezhen’s blue-and-white porcelain appeared as a vibrant touch in the artwork, showcasing its timeless influence across time and space.
A Perfect Fusion of Ancient and Modern
A thousand years later, Jingdezhen, once a faded "Porcelain Capital," has experienced a remarkable rebirth. Here, tradition and innovation coexist harmoniously, and the ancient and the modern blend seamlessly. Modern elements such as artistic communities, innovative designs, and trendy intellectual properties merge with the age-old ceramic culture, creating a globally renowned city of unparalleled creativity. From the rise and fall of royal kilns to the gleam of internet-famous ceramics, from the vibrant lights of creative markets to the transformation of traditional industries, Jingdezhen attracts travelers from all over the world with its unique allure.
Millennia of Ceramic Craftsmanship and Innovation
Jingdezhen’s porcelain craftsmanship has a long and illustrious history, with superb techniques passed down through generations. From the white porcelain with transparent glaze created in the 11th century to the birth of blue-and-white porcelain in the 13th century using the "dual-component formula," to the brilliant Ming blue of the 16th century created with domestic blue pigment, Jingdezhen’s porcelain craftsmanship has undergone countless innovations. These technical advancements not only enhanced the beauty of Jingdezhen’s porcelain but also solidified its unshakable position in the global ceramic art field.
Exploring Jingdezhen: A Taste of the Ancient and the New
In Jingdezhen, visitors can not only admire the highest level of porcelain craftsmanship and the most complete handmade porcelain system but also experience the city’s unique charm. One can listen to the "lingo" in the mysterious and ancient “Ghost Market,” understand the present in the bustling and modern Tao Yangli market, feel the allure of ancient ceramic methods in the Old Kiln Folk Custom Exhibition Zone, and touch the sparks of innovation in modern ceramic workshops. These unique experiences offer deeper insight into the vitality of Jingdezhen, an ancient city that is both timeless and full of life.
Opening the Kiln for the New Year: Witnessing a Legend
Every year during the Spring Festival, Jingdezhen holds a grand kiln-opening ceremony at the Ming and Qing Imperial Kiln Folk Custom Exhibition Zone. People ignite the first kiln fire of the new year together, witnessing the symbolic moment of the first kiln opening. This traditional activity not only passes down and promotes Jingdezhen’s ceramic culture but also vividly interprets the city’s eternal charm and timeless legend.
