Taoyangli and Xujiayao: A Microcosm of Jingdezhen's "Millennium of Unextinguished Kiln Fire"

The Taoyangli Historical and Cultural District and Xujiayao in Jingdezhen are core testimonies to the ceramic civilization of the "Millennium Porcelain Capital." These sites not only preserve a complete porcelain industry ecosystem but have also become cultural landmarks where tradition meets modernity through protection and revitalization. Let's analyze this cultural treasure from four dimensions: history, restoration, craftsmanship inheritance, and cultural tourism integration: --- ### **I. Xujiayao: A Living Specimen of Ming-Qing Dynasty Wood-Fired Kilns** 1. **Historical Status and Architectural Features** Xujiayao, built in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, is Jingdezhen's oldest, most complete, and largest wood-fired kiln site, as well as the world's largest surviving traditional wood-fired kiln. The kiln features a traditional egg-shaped structure, with bricks tempered by centuries of firing, appearing black and glossy. Some bricks even bear glazed surfaces, becoming unique historical marks. The kiln's restoration preserved original techniques, with new and old bricks separated by a red line, seamlessly blending while maintaining the craftsman's principle of "restoring the old as it was." 2. **Rekindling and Skill Inheritance** In June 2024, Xujiayao rekindled its fire after many years, producing over 6,000 porcelain pieces in the traditional wood-fired kiln. Some pieces sold out quickly through livestreaming, generating over 10 million yuan in sales. Intangible cultural heritage inheritor Zong Hongxin and other craftsmen station at the kiln, teaching techniques like throwing and painting, attracting young people to experience and continue the 72-step handmade porcelain tradition. --- ### **II. Taoyangli: A Three-Dimensional Scroll of Porcelain Civilization** 1. **Historical Space and Porcelain Industry Texture** Taoyangli, renowned for "thirteen li of kilns and hundred thousand households of smoke and fire," is the core area of Jingdezhen's millennium-old porcelain industry. Its layout follows the pattern of "kilns built along rivers, markets formed around kilns," encompassing the Imperial Kiln site, Ming-Qing kiln clusters, 108 millennium-old alleys, and over 70 years of industrial heritage, forming a complete porcelain settlement pattern of "dock-folk kilns-old streets-imperial kiln." Buildings like Longzhu Pavilion and the Imperial Kiln Museum, along with buried porcelain shards, constitute cultural codes sharing origins with the Forbidden City. 2. **"Archaeological-Style" Protection and Restoration** China Construction First Group adopted a "micro-renovation" approach, following the principle of "whole bricks on walls, broken bricks on ground," using 900,000 old kiln bricks and 1.9 million antique-style bricks to restore streets and alleys. Each square meter of pavement contains over 140 kiln bricks from different eras, preserving historical texture. The Imperial Kiln Museum, inspired by egg-shaped kilns, features 8 double-curved vault structures built with 2.8 million kiln bricks, acclaimed as the "world's first complex double-curved building" and selected as one of the world's top 10 museums in 2020. --- ### **III. Cultural Renewal: From Heritage Protection to Cultural Tourism Innovation** 1. **Living Inheritance and Business Upgrade** Xujiayao opens its kiln bi-weekly, combining activities like "Kiln Opening Treasures" and "Porcelain Music Performances." Visitors can participate in pottery making and taste kiln workers' meals, experiencing the philosophy of "one color entering the kiln, thousands of colors emerging." Century-old residences in the district have been transformed into artisans' studios, ceramic livestreaming bases, and themed guesthouses. The Shanglong Hotel in Peng Alley won UNESCO's "Outstanding Achievement" award for cultural heritage protection. 2. **Economic Effects of Cultural Tourism Integration** In 2023, Taoyangli hosted over 400 events including temple fairs and firework food festivals, receiving 51.1 million visitors and generating 773 million yuan in tourism revenue. The Imperial Kiln Museum's creative store attracts visitors through blue-and-white porcelain shard creative photography and ceramic study courses, forming a new "cultural experience + consumption" model. --- ### **IV. World Heritage Application and Future Vision** Taoyangli is applying for World Heritage status as a core part of "Jingdezhen Porcelain Industry Cultural Landscape" and plans to upgrade to a 5A-level scenic spot. Its protection model, listed as a typical case of urban renewal by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, balances historical preservation and modern functions through an "integrated system protection" concept, providing a Chinese solution for global industrial heritage activation. --- ### **Conclusion** Taoyangli and Xujiayao epitomize Jingdezhen's "millennium of unextinguished kiln fire." From weathered kiln bricks to rekindled wood-fired kilns, from old alleys to new business forms, these sites both guard the historical roots of "porcelain origin" and dialogue with the future through innovation. As blue-and-white porcelain intangible cultural heritage inheritor Sun Lixin says: "The glory of our predecessors bestows honor, while we need to make craftsmanship dance with the times."