Things To Do in Jingde Zhen
Bookstore
Available as paperback
and as e-book.
Jingde Zhen Attractions
Local authorities are starting to recognize the importance of tourism and, in 2004, first celebrated the area's 1,000th anniversary as an imperial kiln-production center. There is now a ceramics festival every October and a locally maintained website at www.jingdezhen.cov.cn.
- Historic Site
San Bao Shuidui
A short way into the countryside, some fascinating primitive technology can be seen. Take bus no. K35 (¥1) to the east (look out for all the porcelain lamp posts and even traffic lights) and alight at the Hutian stop on Hangkong Lu, shortly before the terminus where the bus swings… Taoci Wenhua Bolanqu
Although run down and desperately in need of a new coat of paint, this is still the best of several exhibitions devoted to ceramics, and includes several old kilns, areas demonstrating the production process, and ancient houses and temples. The site is down a winding country lane…
Jingde Zhen Shopping
Long-distance sleeper buses of the cheaper, more primitive kind leave groaning with vast quantities of rope-bound packages of china. In fact, the North Bus Station is surrounded by wholesale shops. Most hotels and museums sell it, too.
Just to the south of Renmin Square (Jing Chang Li Chi Mao Da Sha, Zhu Shan Zhong Lu) is a large five-floor ceramics market with some very creative artists among the mass-produced stuff. I was particularly impressed by the deities and mythical figures in Shang Ping Studio (tel. 0798/822-2081) on the third floor, as well as the some of the porcelain paintings in Tan Qing Xuan Zhi (tel. 0798/823-5677) on the fourth floor.
Even more interesting are the back streets behind Zhejiang Lu. From the train station, head left for the Wen Yuan Business Hotel (Wen Yuan Shang Wu Da Jiu Dian, Tong Zhan Lu 36) with the golden Thai-style temple roof. On the opposite side of the road, venture into one of the small alleys to find yourself in a rabbit warren of side streets and small wholesalers. Here you will find the more exotic lines such as the Cultural Revolution reproductions, where the Red Guards stand atop kneeling intellectuals wearing dunce caps and placards, with slogans such as "Kill the Capitalist." For all China's claims of development, the sheer number of coolies dragging backbreaking carts of pots and plates shows that technology has not reached many areas of logistics and distribution at least.
