The Ancient Kiln and Folk Customs Expo Area (古窑民俗博览园) in Jingdezhen spans 83 hectares and is the only national-level tourist attraction in China dedicated to ceramic culture. The expo area is divided into three main sections: the Historical Kiln Exhibition Area, the Ceramic Folk Customs Exhibition Area, and the Waterfront Creative Leisure Area.
The Historical Kiln Exhibition Area showcases ancient ceramic workshops, the world’s oldest ceramic production line, and various historical kilns, including the Qing Dynasty Zhenyao Kiln, Ming Dynasty Gourd Kiln, Yuan Dynasty Mantou Kiln, and Song Dynasty Dragon Kiln. Visitors can also explore the Fenghuo Xianshi Temple, ancient porcelain shops, and displays of traditional ceramic craftsmanship and famous porcelain pieces from the Ming and Qing dynasties.
The Ceramic Folk Customs Exhibition Area features 12 ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, ceramic folk exhibits, the Tianhou Palace, a porcelain stele corridor, and a water stage where porcelain music performances are held.
The Waterfront Creative Leisure Area offers a blend of ceramic culture and leisure with attractions such as Changnan Porcelain Inquiry, Changnan Wharf, Geng Qie Tao Yan, Qianjie Jinsheng, and Muci Qianyuan. Visitors can also participate in ceramic-making workshops to create their own unique ceramic pieces.
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Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 – 3 hours |
| Ticket Price | 95 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 17.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0798-8534444 |
Location and Transportation
The Ancient Kiln and Folk Customs Expo Area is located at No. 1, Ancient Kiln Road, Porcelain Capital Avenue, Panlonggang, Fengshushan, Changjiang District, Jingdezhen City. To reach the site, take buses No. 1, 2, 3, 7, or 10 and get off at Fengshushan Bus Station, then walk approximately 700 meters to arrive.
Highlights of Ancient Kiln & Folk Customs Expo Area
Yuan Dynasty Mantou Kiln
The Mantou Kiln, named for its shape resembling a steamed bun (mantou), is one of the typical ceramic kilns used in Jingdezhen during the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties. Some Mantou Kilns have a horseshoe-shaped kiln bed, earning them the alternative name “horseshoe-shaped kilns.”
The Mantou Kiln is a semi-down-draft kiln, where the flames rise from the firebox toward the kiln roof before descending to the kiln bed. The smoke and gases are then expelled through the flue, vertical smoke channel, and chimney. This kiln type can reach firing temperatures as high as 1300°C, and it is capable of creating a reducing atmosphere, which is essential for certain ceramic glazes and effects.
Song Dynasty Dragon Kiln
The Dragon Kiln is a traditional Chinese ceramic kiln, named for its dragon-like shape as it is built along the slope of a hill. The kiln has a simple structure, consisting of three main parts: the kiln head, the kiln bed, and the kiln tail. It typically uses straw, twigs, and other plant materials as fuel.
The Dragon Kiln is cost-effective, has a large firing capacity, and efficiently utilizes residual heat. Its design, built into a natural hillside, creates a strong draft, allowing for the creation of a reducing atmosphere, ideal for firing celadon and shadowy blue porcelain. The Dragon Kiln played a crucial role in the flourishing of Jingdezhen’s ceramics industry during the Song Dynasty. Remnants of Song Dynasty Dragon Kilns have been found in various locations in Jingdezhen, including Hutian, Yaoli, and Liyang.
Ming Dynasty Hu Lu Kiln
The Hu Lu Kiln, short for “gourd-shaped wood-fired kiln,” is a unique ceramic kiln specific to Jingdezhen. It first appeared in the late Yuan to early Ming Dynasty and continued in use until the early Qing Dynasty, when it was gradually replaced by the egg-shaped Zhen Kiln. The Hu Lu Kiln is documented in detail with illustrations in Song Yingxing’s Ming Dynasty work Tiangong Kaiwu (“The Exploitation of the Works of Nature”).
This kiln combines the advantages of the Dragon Kiln and Mantou Kiln from the Song and Yuan periods, resulting in significant advancements in firing techniques. The Hu Lu Kiln played a vital role in the development of Jingdezhen’s ceramics industry during the Ming Dynasty and laid the groundwork for the later evolution of the Zhen Kiln in the Qing Dynasty.
Qing Dynasty Zhen Kiln
The Qing Dynasty Zhen Kiln, often referred to simply as the “Zhen Kiln,” is a distinctive type of traditional Chinese ceramic kiln. The kiln structure features a unique mortise-and-tenon wooden framework. The entire kiln is approximately 15 to 20 meters in length, with a volume of around 300 cubic meters and a height of about 6 meters at its tallest point.
The Zhen Kiln is a wood-fired kiln, specifically using pine wood as fuel, which is why it is also known as a “Chai Kiln.” The flames produced are long, with minimal ash and no harmful substances, making it ideal for creating a reducing atmosphere. This is particularly beneficial for achieving the desired glaze colors on white porcelain, blue and white porcelain, and colored glazes.
The Zhen Kiln is one of the most well-preserved and valuable ancient kilns still in existence today, representing a significant part of China’s ceramic heritage.
Porcelain Music Pavilion
The Porcelain Music Pavilion features performances using a unique ethnic percussion instrument called “Porcelain Bowl,” made primarily from porcelain plates. This innovative instrument first gained prominence at the 1999 Kunming Expo, creating a sensation. In 2000, then-Foreign Minister Qian Qichen, after experiencing the porcelain music, praised it with the inscription “Wonderful Porcelain Charm.” The Porcelain Music Ensemble has performed in over ten countries and regions, including Japan and Russia, and has been warmly received wherever it goes.
Performance Schedule:
- Monday to Friday (6 shows): 9:30–9:50, 10:20–10:40, 11:10–11:30, 14:00–14:20, 14:50–15:10, 15:40–16:00
- Saturday to Sunday (4 shows): 9:30–9:50, 10:20–10:40, 11:10–11:30, 14:00–14:20
