[2025 Changsha Attraction] Travel Guide for Tongguan Kiln (Updated Aug)

Changsha Tongguan Kiln, also known as "Changsha Kiln" or "Tongguan Kiln," is a porcelain production site dating back to the Tang and Five Dynasties period, with a history of over 1,200 years. First discovered in 1956, the site has revealed 77 dragon kiln ruins, 24 clay-digging cave sites, and numerous workshops, docks, markets, and tombs, covering an area of approximately 0.68 square kilometers. As the birthplace of underglaze multicolored ceramics, Changsha Tongguan Kiln showcases the historical ceramic legacy of "Southern Celadon, Northern White, and Changsha Colors" from the Tang to Five Dynasties era. It pioneered Chinese ceramic decoration by integrating traditional elements such as poetry, proverbs, paintings, product advertisements, and unique molded appliqué designs onto porcelain. Its products were exported to 29 countries and regions, forming a "Maritime Silk Road" connecting Asia and Northeast Africa. In 1998, the sunken ship "Belitung" was salvaged, yielding over 67,000 Chinese artifacts, including 56,500 Changsha Tongguan Kiln ceramics—about 83% of the total cargo—making it the most compelling evidence of the Maritime Silk Road. Currently, the Chenjiaping and Tanjiapo sites are open to visitors for free. It is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

📍Exhibition location: ❤️Located in front of the riverside of Tongguan Old Street, Wangcheng District, Changsha City, Hunan Province, China. ❤️It is recommended to visit in the afternoon, as it is an excellent spot to watch the sunset. You can also visit Tongguan Old Street, buy porcelain ornaments, enjoy the sunset, camp, and fly kites by the river. The overall experience is great and suitable for a relaxing weekend trip. ▫️ 🚗Transportation suggestions: ✅It is recommended to drive there, which takes about an hour. ✅Bus route reference: Take the Tongguan Tourist Express Bus from Jinpenqiu Station on Metro Line 1 to Tongguan Old Street. The bus operates from 9:20 to 22:10 (departing on the hour, every half hour), with stops at Tongguan Kiln National Style Park and Tongguan Kiln Site Park. The fare is CNY 6 per person, and tickets can be purchased online. For more information, see the last picture.

The "Beautiful Star City, Charming Maritime Silk Road" event will be held in Changsha from November 13 to 15. At the event, Changsha Tongguan Kiln National Archaeological Site Park will be officially listed as a "Maritime Silk Road: Chinese Historical Sites" preparatory heritage site. This article will provide you with a travel guide to Changsha Tongguan Kiln National Archaeological Site Park, taking you on a journey back to the Tang Dynasty. 🎞Changsha Tongguan Kiln National Archaeological Site Park Xiangjiang Avenue, Wangcheng District, Changsha Changsha Tongguan Kiln National Archaeological Site Park is a comprehensive site park with both historical and cultural charm. It integrates archaeological research, cultural display, and tourism and leisure, featuring the ceramic culture of the Tang Dynasty Changsha Tongguan Kiln. With a long history and rich culture, it is known as the "World Factory of a Thousand Years Ago." It is a great place to explore the culture of the Changsha Kiln and take you back to that glorious history. The Tanjia Slope Ruins Museum in the park is impressive. Tanjia Slope No. 1 Dragon Kiln is one of the best-preserved Tang Dynasty dragon kilns in the world. The museum protects and displays the site in its original location, allowing visitors to travel back in time to over 1,300 years ago and experience the entire process of ceramic production—from clay preparation, throwing, glazing, to firing. The museum has vivid displays and rich relics. In addition to the workshop site, many exquisite ceramic artifacts are also on display. It is a must-visit place to experience the charm of ancient ceramic craftsmanship. Here, visitors can gain an in-depth understanding of the evolution of ceramic production techniques and appreciate the wisdom and hard work of ancient ceramic craftsmen. Strolling through Changsha Tongguan Kiln National Archaeological Site Park is like traveling back to the prosperous Tang Dynasty, where time flows backward and the ceramic civilization of a thousand years ago is recreated. Whether admiring exquisite ceramic artworks or experiencing the entire process of porcelain making, every aspect is a testament to the wisdom and ingenuity of ancient craftsmen. Changsha Tongguan Kiln National Archaeological Site Park is a cultural destination worth visiting and an ideal place to explore the thousand-year-old ceramic civilization. If you are traveling to Changsha, it is highly recommended to visit here to experience the rich historical heritage and unique ceramic charm. Travel tips: ⏰Opening hours: The park is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, closed on Mondays, except for holidays. ‍♀Environmental protection: Please do not touch or damage cultural relics, keep the environment clean, and do not litter. Transportation: You can take the direct bus to Changsha Tongguan Kiln Cultural Tourism Resort at the "Jinpengqiu" bus stop and get off at the "Site Park" bus stop. Then walk to Changsha Tongguan Kiln National Archaeological Site Park.

Travel Guide to the Hunan Tanjiaopo Ruins Museum Preparation - Check opening hours: The Tanjiaopo Ruins Museum is closed on Mondays and open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 am to 5 pm. - Transportation: You can drive from Wujialing, Changsha, along Furong North Road to the north, turn left at the Dingzi Town intersection, and turn right at the intersection after about 200 meters. After turning right, follow the newly built asphalt road to the Changsha Tongguan Kiln National Archaeological Site Park. You can also take a minibus from Wujialing North Bus Station to Dingzi Town, and get off at the Caiyaoyuan Village stop. Tour Route - Museum visit: After arriving at the Tanjiaopo Ruins Museum, you can first visit the preface hall to learn about the historical background, development, and importance of the Changsha Tongguan Kiln. Then, focus on the area with the dragon kiln and workshop ruins as the main exhibits. Here, you can see the ancient Tang Dynasty dragon kiln - Tanjiaopo No. 1 Dragon Kiln, which is the most complete and well-preserved ancient Tang Dynasty dragon kiln, with a length of 41 meters and a width of 2.8 to 3.5 meters, built along the mountain. - Porcelain workshop visit: Visit the porcelain workshop ruins, which are divided into two parts: the blank making area and the firing area, covering the entire production and firing process from colored clay to finished products. You can also see the large pits, mud pits, and foundation piles used by ancient people to make ceramics. Facilities - Dining: There are some restaurants and snack stalls in or around the site park, offering local specialties such as Tongguan "Ten Bowls" and more. - Shopping: In the New Changsha Kiln Ceramic Experience Hall, you can buy ceramic products with Changsha Kiln characteristics, such as tea sets, tableware, decorations, and more. Notes - Follow the museum rules and do not touch the cultural relics and exhibits. - Some areas in the museum may be dimly lit, so be careful when visiting.

If you also like to take pictures of ancient buildings, visit pottery shops, play with mud, and visit quaint villages, then this is a good choice. 🌿 There is no hawking on the old street, it is quiet and peaceful. There are many elderly shopkeepers sitting at the door to bask in the sun. The sun shines on the ceramics on both sides of the road. This feeling reminds me of when I was in Shaxi, and I unconsciously slowed down my heart Recently, the ancient camphor tree in Tongguan Ancient Town is "very windy" 🔥 There are many Liu Yifeis who come to take pictures and check in. It is just a few hundred meters up the alley next to "Yang's Little Flower Piece". The light around 4 pm is huge~📷 Friendly reminder: The flower-legged mosquitoes here in the ancient camphor tree 🦟 are many and poisonous, so remember to bring mosquito repellent‼ ️ 📍Location: Tongguan Ancient Town, Wangcheng District, Changsha 🎫Tickets: Free🆓 ⌚️Visiting time: 3h-5h 🚗Self-driving navigation: Tongguan Old Street (free parking lot next to the archway) 🚝Public transportation: Metro Line 1 [Jinpenqiu] Exit 1 - Take the (Tongguan Kiln Bus) and pass the Tongguan Kiln National Style Paradise Station and Tongguan Kiln Ruins Park Station in turn, and arrive at the terminal Tongguan Old Street