Yaoli Ancient Town (瑶里古镇), located in Jingdezhen City, Jiangxi Province, is a historic town with over 2,000 years of history. Renowned as the “Source of Porcelain, Hometown of Tea, and Sea of Forests,” Yaoli is celebrated for its significance in ceramics. The town is situated in the famous Gaoling region, a world-renowned ceramic hub, and has been producing ceramics since the Tang Dynasty. It is the birthplace of Jingdezhen porcelain and the namesake of “Kaolin” clay, with remnants of 127 ancient mines, 67 kiln sites, 149 water mills, 600 workshops, and 100 ancient docks.
Nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, Yaoli Ancient Town is embraced by Xiang Mountain to the south and Lion Mountain to the north, with the Yaoh River flowing through it. This picturesque setting creates a serene and clear environment.
The ancient town features a Ming and Qing Dynasty commercial street, one of the most bustling streets in ancient Huizhou. The street, over 1,000 meters long, is divided into Upper Street, Middle Street, and Lower Street. Once lined with over a hundred shops, the area is still well-preserved and retains its historical charm.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Yaoli Ancient Town
- Vlog about Yaoli Ancient Town
- Other Notable Attractions in Jingdezhen
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 day |
| Ticket Price | 110 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 17.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0798-2601228 |
Location and Transportation
Yaoli Ancient Town is located in the eastern part of Fuliang County, Jingdezhen City, Jiangxi Province. It sits at the junction of Qimen, Xiuning, Wuyuan, and Fuliang counties, approximately 50 kilometers from both Jingdezhen City and Fuliang County Town.
To reach Yaoli Ancient Town, you can take a direct tourist shuttle from Jingdezhen West Bus Station (marked as Jingdezhen Bus Station on the map). The shuttle service operates with the following schedule:
Departures to Yaoli Ancient Town: The first bus departs at 8:00 AM, and the last bus leaves at 1:30 PM. Buses run hourly on the hour.
Departures from Yaoli Ancient Town to Jingdezhen: The first bus departs at 10:00 AM, and the last bus leaves at 3:30 PM. Buses also run hourly on the hour.
Highlights of Yaoli Ancient Town
Dongbu Ancient Dock Scenic Area
Dongbu Ancient Dock, located on the eastern riverbank at the base of Gaoling Mountain, is one of the four famous ancient streets of Fuliang. This area, consisting of an ancient street and dock, was a key distribution center for kaolin clay during the Ming and Qing dynasties, thriving due to its bustling transport activities. Water transportation was the primary means of transport in ancient times. The Dong River, originating from Gaoling Mountain, flows through Dongbu Village and into Changjiang, serving as a major conduit between the eastern region of Fuliang and the outside world. The Dongbu Dock played a crucial role in the economic development of the region, with a steady flow of kaolin clay, Yaoli glaze fruit, and kiln fuel being transported to Jingdezhen, thereby supporting its porcelain industry. The well-preserved shops lining the street, the wheel tracks in the bluestone pavement, and the Qing Dynasty stone inscriptions issued to regulate the kaolin market offer a vivid depiction of the bustling activity at the ancient dock.
Meiling Leisure Resort Area
Meiling Ecological Resort is renowned for its picturesque rural landscape. Known as “Peach Blossom Garden,” Meiling Ancient Village features a traditional charm with its grand Zhang family ancestral hall and thousand-year-old camphor trees, reflecting over a thousand years of history. The Butterfly Love Valley is a serene, picturesque area with winding paths, interconnected pools and waterfalls, and fluttering butterflies. The Huizhou-Raozhou Ancient Road, paved with cobblestones, was an important trade route between Raozhou and Huizhou in ancient times and remains well-preserved. The Meiling Resort offers stunning scenery and a pleasant climate with dozens of uniquely styled bamboo and wooden villas. It provides various services including accommodation, dining, entertainment, bathing, and conference facilities, making it an ideal place for a natural retreat.
Rao Nan Ceramics Theme Park
Rao Nan Ceramics Theme Park vividly reflects the rich ceramic culture of the Jingdezhen Dong River basin. This area preserves numerous ancient kiln sites from the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, as well as a wealth of historical ceramic industry relics such as old mine shafts and water mills. These artifacts are invaluable for studying the ancient porcelain production conditions in Jingdezhen. Among them, the Rao Nan sediment is recognized as one of the most representative ceramic production section features discovered worldwide. Visitors can also engage in various ceramics cultural experience activities, allowing them to personally appreciate the enduring and captivating charm of porcelain culture.
Wanghu Primitive Forest Scenic Area
The Wanghu Ecological Scenic Area showcases the most picturesque scenery of Yaoli, with its steep mountains and dense forests. It is home to 95 species of woody plants and hundreds of wild animals thriving within its lush vegetation. The Southern Mountain Waterfall Cluster within the Wanghu Ecological Scenic Area features four distinct waterfalls: Southern Mountain Falls, Stone Flower Falls, Flying Dragon Falls, and Floating Silk Falls. The waterfall cluster spans over 400 meters in length and has a drop of 220 meters, with the main waterfall measuring 80 meters in width. The cascading waterfalls range from large to small, with varying flow rates, creating a captivating and pleasant visual experience. Another attraction in the Wanghu Ecological Scenic Area is its original forest, which has been protected and cultivated for over 600 years. This well-preserved forest boasts diverse vegetation, from broadleaf and coniferous trees to climbing vines, flowering plants, and shrubs, offering a vibrant and multi-layered natural landscape.
