Jingdezhen

景德镇

The world-renowned porcelain capital of China with over 1,000 years of ceramic tradition, where artisans still craft exquisite blue-and-white porcelain using ancient techniques. Kilns, museums, and workshops throughout the town showcase the complete ceramic-making process.

Things to do

• Ceramic Heritage Street — Walk through the historic old town lined with traditional kilns, workshops, and family-run ceramic studios where artisans demonstrate hand-throwing and hand-painting techniques.
• Jingdezhen Ceramic Museum — Explore thousands of porcelain pieces spanning 1,000 years of ceramic history, from Song Dynasty wares to contemporary works, housed in a modern museum complex.
• Blue-and-White Porcelain Workshop — Participate in a hands-on class to learn traditional blue-and-white painting techniques from master craftsmen in an active ceramic workshop.
• Ancient Dragon Kiln — Visit the restored Zhushan Kiln, a centuries-old wood-fired kiln still in operation, where you can witness firing sessions and understand traditional high-temperature ceramic production.
• Taoxichang Ceramic Market — Browse the sprawling ceramics market filled with hundreds of vendors selling everything from museum-quality pieces to affordable souvenirs and functional ware.
• Contemporary Ceramic Studios — Visit modern artist studios and galleries in the former factory district where contemporary potters create innovative pieces while honoring traditional methods.

Food to try

• Jingdezhen Porcelain Bowl Noodles — Local wheat noodles served in hand-made porcelain bowls with pork broth, greens, and traditional toppings, celebrating both the town's culinary and ceramic heritage.
• Ganjiang Fish — Fresh river fish from the local Ganjiang River prepared with pickled vegetables and chili in a savory broth, a signature Yangtze region specialty.
• Jingdezhen Sesame Cake — Crispy pastry cake filled with sesame paste and sugar, a traditional local snack sold at street stalls and in markets throughout the old town.
• Poached River Snails — Small freshwater snails boiled and served with spicy garlic and herb sauce, a local delicacy commonly eaten as a casual street food or appetizer.
• Tea-smoked Pork Belly — Succulent pork belly slow-cooked with local tea leaves and spices, a regional Jiangxi preparation that's popular in local restaurants.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect workshop artisans — Ask permission before photographing artisans at work, and consider purchasing a piece to support the individual craftsperson whose work you've witnessed.
• Learn basic ceramic terms — Familiarize yourself with terms like 'qinghua' (blue-and-white), 'kiln fire,' and 'porcelain body' to engage meaningfully with artisans and understand explanations of techniques.
• Plan visits around kiln firings — Inquire at your hotel about upcoming traditional kiln-firing schedules, as witnessing the actual firing process is a rare and culturally significant experience not available daily.
• Appreciate imperfection — Understand that hand-made ceramics intentionally bear slight irregularities and variations that reflect the artisan's individual touch and are valued as signs of authenticity.