By Fatou Sillah
On the second day of our Wuxi adventure, we embarked on a journey to the historic city of Yixing. Departing from our hotel at 8:20 am, we swiftly transitioned from the urban landscape of Wuxi to the enchanting countryside of Yixing. Our journey led us to the legendary Qianshu Ancient Dragon Kiln, a nationally protected cultural heritage site, nestled in the heart of Sandongqiao Village, Dingshu Town. This kiln, dating back to the Ming Dynasty, continues to be a testament to centuries of ceramic craftsmanship.
The kiln stretches 43.4 meters in length and features 42 pairs of wood-feeding holes on both sides, commonly known as “scale eyeholes.” On the west side, there are five loading openings (kiln doors) designed for arranging the kiln. Coal, pine, and bamboo branches are mainly used as fuel. The current production primarily focuses on daily-use coarse ceramics, including basins, jars, pots, and kettles, with a small batch of purple clay teapots also being produced. This kiln is the only one in the country that still fires pottery using traditional methods, earning it the nickname “the living dragon kiln”.
We toured Shushan Ancient South Street, nestled in Dingshu Town, Yixing. This historic street boasts two-story brick and wood structures reminiscent of Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. Its strategic location near the purple clay production hub of Huanglong Mountain and easy access via the Li River waterway historically made it a bustling center for processing and trading purple clay teapots. It’s hailed as the birthplace of master purple clay artisans, showcasing Yixing’s ancient water town heritage from the Ming and Qing periods and offering scenic vistas of the Yangxian landscape. Our stroll along this street was a privilege, revealing Yixing’s rich historical and cultural tapestry.
Next, we explored the Yixing Dingshu Adult Culture and Technology School, a sprawling institution spanning nearly 4 hectares. Renowned as the Yixing Dingshu Community Education Center and the Jiangsu Province Ceramic Art Vocational Training Base, this school boasts a constructed area exceeding 11,000 square meters, with an investment surpassing RMB 80 million. Employing over 260 seasoned ceramic art professionals, the school hosts pottery-making training and immersive experiences, showcasing impressive student and faculty artwork.
Highlighting our visit was the renowned Yixing Internet-famous Tea Garden, a personal favorite. The expansive Green Tea Garden left us speechless with its breathtaking scenery and exquisite decor. Producing local Chinese tea, it offered me a delightful first experience of tea without sugar, which proved surprisingly pleasant. Wrapping up our day, we savored a delectable meal at the Taodou Peninsula Hotel, where impeccable service and outstanding cuisine left a lasting impression.