Qianshu Kiln Site

Qianshu Kiln Site

The Qianshu Kiln Site is a cultural heritage protection unit of Jiangsu Province.

The Qianshu Ancient Dragon Kiln in Dingshu Town, Yixing, was first built during the Ming Dynasty and has been in continuous use to this day. It is the only ancient dragon kiln in East China that still produces purple clay pottery using traditional methods. In 2006, it was designated as a National Cultural Heritage Protection Unit. There are currently only two surviving ancient Ming Dynasty kilns in China that are still used for pottery production—one is the Nanfeng Ancient Kiln in Shiwan, Foshan, Guangdong, and the other is the Qianshu Ancient Dragon Kiln in Yixing. The Qianshu Ancient Dragon Kiln is 100 years older than the one in Shiwan, Foshan. Nestled within the village of Qianshu, the ancient kiln is surrounded by ordinary residences. Built along the natural slope of the hill, the kiln resembles a giant, winding dragon from afar. It is constructed from bricks into a sloped, straight-flame, cylindrical tunnel shape, consisting of the kiln head, kiln chamber, and kiln tail.

On October 22, 2002, the Qianshu Kiln Site was announced as part of the fifth batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units.

Dingshu Town: Located in Yixing City, Jiangsu Province, Dingshu Town lies within the Yangtze River Delta Economic Development Zone. It borders Taihu Lake to the east and the foothills of the Tianmu Mountain range to the west, covering an area of 73 square kilometers with a population of 140,000. It is part of Yixing’s urban area. In 2000, Jiangsu Province positioned Yixing as “China’s renowned Pottery Capital, an important industrial tourism city in Jiangsu Province, and a comprehensive commercial service hub for the border region of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui.”

Dingshu Town boasts picturesque landscapes where mountains and waters coexist, rich cultural heritage, and is an important part of the famous Yangxian Scenic Area, making it one of the premier tourist destinations in the Jiangnan region.

Dingshu Town is famed for its abundant production of pottery... More details about Dingshu Town ++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Units