Jiangxi's Jingdezhen: A Porcelain Journey

From mud to masterpiece, join us this week as we uncover the history of chinese porcelain, aka 'fine china'. Jiangxi province is home to the historic city of Jingdezhen, which played a major role in china's porcelain trade. The ceramic wares of this region made china famous during the silk road trade and were believed to be made with magic by europeans. The production of Jiangxi's ceramics were so influential, that they were even named 'fine china', meaning the fine wares which were made in China. We start our adventures by searching for the abandoned mountain mines which were home to the white clay, Kaolin, that first made this region world renowned. We then head over to the ancient village of Yaoli to see the influence of the porcelain industry and it's rich history which paved the path of the stunning pots and cermaic wares we see today. We search for ancient kiln sites in the surrounding countryside, and then head back into Jingdezhen city to see the remains of the incredible kilns that made the porcelain production come to life. Watch as artists hand mould, carve, and paint the breathtaking and intricate designs of cobalt blue on white clay. We even head to Sanbao International Ceramic Village to paint our own plates, and of course discover the mouthwatering local cuisine. Finally we venture into the local chinese night markets where local artists sell their bowls, vases, and china tea sets.