Fuliang Dragon Kiln

Fuliang Dragon Kiln

The dragon kiln, also known as the long kiln, is a type of semi-continuous ceramic firing kiln. It is built along a certain slope and named for its long, slanting shape resembling a dragon.

The Jingdezhen dragon kiln, also called the long kiln, is a type of semi-continuous ceramic firing kiln. It is built along a certain slope and named for its dragon-like appearance.

The dragon kiln originated in the Shang Dynasty. During this period, dragon kilns were used to fire both stamped hard pottery and primitive celadon. Early dragon kilns were generally between ten to twenty meters long. By the Song Dynasty, dragon kilns could reach lengths of fifty to sixty meters, and in some regions even seventy to eighty meters, capable of firing up to twenty thousand pieces of porcelain at a time, which played a significant role in the development of ceramics at the time. Dragon kilns gradually increased in length, and their incline and structure were continuously improved across dynasties, enhancing their firing effectiveness. During the Song and Yuan periods, a type of “compartmented dragon kiln” emerged, featuring multiple fireproof walls built inside the kiln chamber to divide it into several smaller rooms. These walls had vent holes at the bottom to allow airflow between the rooms, hence the name “compartmented dragon kiln.” To this day, dragon kilns are still in use in some southern regions for firing ceramics.

The Jingdezhen dragon kiln, also known as Nanfeng Kiln, was built during the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty (1506–1521). With nearly 500 years of history, it is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. It is the oldest surviving wood-fired dragon kiln still in use in the world. The kiln is built along a mountainside, with a total length of 34.4 meters and an inner length of 30.87 meters. It resembles a giant dragon descending from the sky, which is why locals call it the “dragon kiln.”

Visiting the dragon kiln offers insight into the long history of porcelain production in Jingdezhen.

Location

Wanghu Area, Yaoli Town, Fuliang County, Jingdezhen City, Jiangxi Province