In Jingdezhen, the porcelain city where China's ceramic soul lives on

Editor's note: Jingdezhen, known around the world as the "porcelain capital" for over a thousand years, has long been the heart of China's ceramic industry. In July 2026, Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, cementing its place as a globally recognized cultural treasure.

Jingdezhen offers a layered experience into ceramic heritage. For history lovers, it is possible to trace ancient trade routes from the ancient pier that once shipped kaolin clay downriver. For ceramicists and those that appreciate the craft it is possible to visit the bustling workshops of Taoyangli, a place that continues to paint and fire porcelain by hand. For artists, there is the Taoxichuan Art Center, which offers contemporary artist residencies and exhibitions. These are but a few of Jingdezhen's layered traits, alongside the museum halls housing imperial masterpieces spanning multiple Chinese dynasties. Together, these opportunities tell a story of a city that has never stopped creating — and then reinventing — its most famous art form.

The entrance to the workshop cluster at Taoyangli historical and cultural block in Jingdezhen, central China's Jiangxi province, Aug. 26, 2026. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]