Yongsheng Porcelain

Last updated 2026-11-15 — Yongsheng porcelain has been mass-produced as early as the eighth year of the Tongzhi era (1869). The “Newly Compiled Yunnan General Annals” recorded: “The porcelain clay produced in Yongbei is superior to that of Anhui and Jiangxi. Recently, Yongbei porcelain has competed with that from Jiangxi, and can be found throughout western Yunnan.” During the Republican era, techniques from Jingdezhen, Jiangxi were introduced, giving Yongsheng porcelain the characteristics of crystal-clear glaze and elegantly painted, classical designs. Today, Yongsheng has both prefectural and county-level porcelain factories. Their products are not only popular within and outside the province, but are also exported to various countries in Southeast Asia. Yongsheng porcelain is made from kaolin. Kaolin is a product of the decomposition of various crystalline rocks and is found in the Guanzhaoshan area, about 20 kilometers southeast of Yongsheng County. With reserves of over 5 million tons—most of which can be mined openly—the clay is white, fine-textured, highly fire-resistant, and considered premium-quality material for porcelain production. The specific production methods vary by product type, but generally involve four stages: material preparation, forming the body, painting and coloring, and firing. Decoration methods include blue-and-white, famille rose, underglaze polychrome, spray painting, printing, bas-relief, colored glazes, and more. A mechanized production line has now been established, offering nearly 100 varieties with an annual output of over 30 million pieces. In 1960, when Premier Zhou Enlai visited Myanmar, the porcelain gifted to Myanmar was produced by the Yongsheng Porcelain Factory. The blue-and-white tea sets in the Yunnan Hall of Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, the artistic cups used at the Yunnan Art Theatre, and those in some star-rated hotels in Kunming are all made of Yongsheng porcelain. In addition to tableware, tea sets, and wine sets, there are also artistic display items such as vases, table lamps, ancient musicians, characters from "Dream of the Red Chamber," Tang Dynasty women, Ashima, Dai women, and various animals. There are also intricately designed porcelain items such as carved vases, pen holders, and pen racks for stationery use. The products have won the Golden Elephant Award for Excellent Light Industrial Products in Yunnan Province, and the First National “Jingdezhen Porcelain Cup” Creative Design Award. A large number of daily-use porcelain items are exported through border trade. (Lijiang)