Ancient Kiln Sites of Kraak Porcelain

Ancient Kiln Sites of Kraak Porcelain

Pinghe is the renowned hometown of the Ming Dynasty "blue-and-white porcelain" (Kraak porcelain), famous both in China and abroad. Several ancient kiln sites are still well preserved today, including Tiankeng Kiln, Huazailou Kiln, Dongkou Beigou Kiln, Dalong Kiln, and Erlong Kiln. Since the 1980s, county cultural relics workers have discovered large-scale groups of ancient Ming Dynasty kiln sites in areas such as Nansheng and Wuzhai. The remains at these ancient kiln sites are extremely rich, and they have now been designated as National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

The characteristics of Kraak porcelain include wide rims, with blue-and-white designs being the most common. Many pieces feature exquisite paintings of flowers, birds, insects, fish, and auspicious characters. Plates and bowls often have decorative panels and round medallions depicting landscapes, figures, flowers, and fruits along their rims, among which large plates are the most famous. In 2010, over 10,000 porcelain items salvaged from the "Nan'ao No. 1" shipwreck off the coast of Guangdong included more than 8,000 pieces originating from the Nansheng and Wuzhai areas of Pinghe. The discovery of these Pinghe kiln blue-and-white porcelains confirmed once again the origins of the "Kraak porcelain," which had been highly sought after by European royalty and nobility since the Ming and Qing dynasties, serving as a crucial testament to the prosperity of ancient Zhangzhou’s maritime Silk Road trade. In light of this, Pinghe County has designated the Kraak porcelain ancient kiln site group of "Nansheng Kiln" for inclusion in the “Maritime Silk Road” heritage nomination.

Ticket Price: Free Address: Wuzhai Township and Nansheng area, Pinghe County

Opening Hours: Year-round, 8:30–17:00

Transportation: Approximately 70–80 km from Zhangzhou