Lotus Core Kiln Site

Lotus Core Kiln Site

A dragon kiln with a low head and high tail lies nestled against the mountain and facing the lake. It is not only the pride of Shanglin Lake but also a milestone in the history of celadon development in China. Today, after more than 1,000 years of trials by sweat and fire, it has regained vibrant vitality.

The Tang to Five Dynasties period marked the heyday of the entire Shanglin Lake kiln complex. The advancement of culture and the improvement of people’s aesthetic tastes led to a surge in the number of kilns around Shanglin Lake. The gathering of skilled artisans refined the craftsmanship of celadon to near perfection. Each artifact from this period — whether in the shaping of the body, formulation of glazes, design of forms, style of decoration, innovation in kiln tools, or firing techniques — reached an unprecedented peak. In 1994, with approval from the National Cultural Heritage Administration, archaeological excavations were carried out at the Lotus Core Kiln Site by Shanglin Lake. The large quantity of unearthed porcelain shards, kiln tools, and artifacts leave no doubt that this was an important kiln site during the late Tang Dynasty.

The sloping protective shelter built over the kiln site cradles the thousand-year-old celadon culture in its embrace. The remnants of the dragon kiln walls and the circular saggars lining the interior whisper tales of the glory that once graced this serene lakeside.