Niuchang Kiln Complex

Niuchang Kiln Complex

The Niuchang Kiln Complex is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Jiangsu Province.

The Niuchang Kiln Complex is located in Niuchang Village, Dabai Town, Liyang City, Jiangsu Province, under the administration of the Nanshan Scenic Area Management Committee. It consists of 15 ancient kiln sites (clusters): the Huashenshan Ancient Kiln Site Cluster, Bashi tou Ancient Kiln Site, Xiaxiyao Village Northwest Ancient Kiln Site, Datang Village East Ancient Kiln Site, Datang Village West Ancient Kiln Site, Xiaxiyao Village West Ancient Kiln Site, Xiaxiyao Village South Ancient Kiln Site, Muzhuke Village South Ancient Kiln Site, Yangshan Ancient Kiln Site, Muzhuke Village North Ancient Kiln Site, Baojia Village No.1 Ancient Kiln Site, Baojia Village No.2 Ancient Kiln Site, Changgang Ancient Kiln Site, Yaodunshan Ancient Kiln Site, and Xingwan Village Ancient Kiln Site. Among them, the Huashenshan Ancient Kiln Site Cluster forms a semicircle around the mountain from southwest to northeast, covering an area of over ten acres, with a pottery shard accumulation layer up to more than 10 meters thick. The kilns are dragon kilns.

A large number of broken pottery shards are scattered around the kiln sites, and intact pottery items are found everywhere. The pottery items collected on-site mainly include four-handle jars (commonly known as Han bottles), ewers, bottles, basins, etc., with clay bodies made of purple sand. This kiln site, together with other ancient kiln sites in the surrounding areas such as Dongguan Village, Xiaxiyao Village, Muzhuke Village, and Shen Mountain Village, collectively form the Niuchang Ancient Kiln Site Cluster. To the east, it connects with the national cultural heritage site "Xiaowang Ancient Kiln Ruins" within the territory of Xizhu Town, Yixing City. With a long firing period and massive production, it was one of the important production sites for daily-use ceramics in Liyang during the Song Dynasty, holding significant archaeological and scientific value. The Niuchang Ancient Kiln Site Cluster has preserved its historical appearance intact, with the surrounding environment remaining unchanged. Elements such as the kiln sites, mountains, and ancient pottery fully reflect the industrial and livelihood significance of the Niuchang Ancient Kiln Site Cluster in its time.

On December 19, 2011, the People's Government of Jiangsu Province designated it as part of the seventh batch of provincial-level cultural heritage protection units.

Dabai Town: Dabai Town is located at the junction of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces. To the east, it borders Xizhu Town and Taihua Town of Yixing City; to the south, it neighbors Xinhang Town of Guangde County, Anhui Province; to the west, it adjoins Tianmuhu Town; and to the north, it leans against Licheng Town. It is recognized as one of China’s Top Thousand Famous Towns, a National Health Town, one of Jiangsu’s Hundred Famous Towns, and a key commercial town on the border of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui. The town covers a total area of 162.99 square kilometers and has a population of 52,200.

The national AAAAA-level scenic area—Nanshan Bamboo Sea—is situated amid 80,000 acres of lush bamboo forests in the southernmost part of Dabai. Other attractions include the Wu-Chu Farming Culture Park, Cuigu Manor, and a number of national agricultural tourism demonstration sites... More details about Dabai Town++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Jiangsu Province