Weekend Escape Plan: A Healing Day in Dingshu Town, Yixing

🎈Escaping the hustle and bustle of the city🚗, I arrived in Dingshu Town, Yixing, and dove headfirst into the world of pottery, filled with the earthy scent of clay and the warmth of daily life. I spent an incredibly fulfilling day. - Arriving in Dingshu Town in the morning, my first stop was the China Yixing Ceramics Museum🏛️. The museum boasts a rich collection, ranging from primitive pottery to Ming and Qing dynasty purple clay teapots, and then to modern ceramic masterpieces. It's like a vivid history book of ceramics📕. Admiring those exquisite purple clay teapots up close, each with its unique shape and exquisite craftsmanship, I couldn't help but marvel at the ingenuity of the artisans. Here, I could deeply feel the profound and long-standing ceramic culture. - After leaving the museum🏯, my stomach was already rumbling🥺. A local friend took me to an inconspicuous small restaurant to savor authentic Dingshu cuisine. The wumifan (black rice) was sweet, soft, and glutinous, with a delicate fragrance of plants🌱; the Heqiao dried tofu was savory, chewy, and simply cooked, yet full of the warmth of home-style cooking. Every bite was a pure interpretation of life in Dingshu. - In the afternoon, I strolled into Gunan Street. The old street retains the charm of the Ming and Qing dynasties, with its mottled stone-paved roads whispering stories of bygone years. Numerous pottery studios line the street, and stepping into any one of them, you can see pottery masters engrossed in their creations👨‍🎨. In one studio, I experienced the joy of pottery wheel throwing firsthand. My hands covered in clay, I felt the earth transforming between my fingers. Although the finished product was a bit wonky, the process was full of surprises😆. - Wandering along the old street🛕, I unknowingly arrived at the ancient Shushan Gunan Street Wharf. The setting sun cast a golden glow on the old wharf, and the shimmering river reflected the ancient houses on the bank. At this moment, it felt as if I could hear the bustling sounds of merchant ships from the past, immersing me in a tranquil and historic atmosphere🌅. - As night fell🌙, I left Dingshu Town with a heart full of memories and a touch of longing. This day was a dialogue with thousands of years of pottery art, an exploration of a simple life. Every moment was unforgettable, and I look forward to my next visit to this pottery capital.