Cloisonné Industrial Tourism Area

　　A national industrial tourism demonstration site, located on Anlelin Road, Yongdingmenwai, Chongwen District, Beijing, between the Second and Third Ring Roads to the south of the city. Approximately 5 kilometers from the city center. It is just 500 meters south of the South Gate of Temple of Heaven Park, offering very convenient transportation. Beijing Enamel Factory Co., Ltd. is a distinctive tourism brand enterprise integrating the research, development, design, production, trade, and tourism of cloisonné.

　　This is the largest professional enterprise in China engaged in the production and operation of cloisonné. Its predecessor, Beijing Enamel Factory, was established in January 1956. In 1958, Chinese cultural celebrity Guo Moruo inscribed the factory name. It is the only “China Time-Honored Brand” in China’s cloisonné industry, as well as a designated producer of travel products and ethnic goods. In 1978, it was designated as a foreign affairs reception unit for Beijing, and in 1992, it began offering industrial tourism. It covers an area of 23,841 square meters, with a construction area of 24,251 square meters and a parking lot of 4,600 square meters.

　　Cloisonné is a famous traditional handicraft in China, originating in the late 13th century during the Yuan Dynasty and flourishing during the Jingtai period of the Ming Dynasty, hence the name “cloisonné.” The production of cloisonné incorporates traditional Chinese techniques such as painting, carving, inlaying, as well as metallurgy and glass melting, making it a comprehensive art form that embodies history, culture, artistry, and traditional craftsmanship. Its products feature the vibrancy of Song Dynasty ceramics and the opulence of brocades, yet remain classic and elegant, splendidly golden. Viewed as a unique artistic form of the Chinese nation, it is hailed as the “Jing” essence, a national treasure, and has been included in the national intangible cultural heritage list for key protection. Due to the intricate and time-consuming production process, high technical difficulty, and elevated production costs, these precious items were initially made exclusively in the imperial court for the enjoyment of the emperor and the royal family, with very limited circulation among the public until they appeared in markets as commercial goods in the late Qing Dynasty. In the early 1950s, Mr. Ye Shengtao visited the Beijing Arts and Crafts Experimental Factory (merged into the Enamel Factory in 1958) to observe and experience life, and wrote “The Making of Cloisonné,” which was included in middle school Chinese textbooks. He depicted this craft vividly and meticulously, and many people came to know about cloisonné through this text. Now, visitors can observe the entire production process of cloisonné, including shaping the metal base, wiring, enameling, and polishing. The Cloisonné Art Exhibition Hall, Master Studios, and Classic and Collectible Works Display Center are all open to visitors.

　　Shaping the Metal Base: Processed copper sheets are cut into various fan-shaped or differently sized circles, then hammered into various forms to create the base shapes. Wiring: Special tweezers are used to bend (or pinch) various patterns and designs, which are then attached to the copper base and soldered in place using flux, forming the foundational patterns of the cloisonné piece—akin to line drawing in painting. Enameling: Special enamel glaze is filled into the wired areas using a enamel syringe and straw, then fired at high temperatures. This process is repeated three to four times, similar to coloring in painting. Polishing: The fired enamel varies in thickness and must be polished flat to reveal the wired patterns until a uniform shine is achieved, after which the piece moves on to the next step of gilding. After visiting these processes, the mysterious veil of cloisonné craftsmanship is lifted. The Cloisonné Art Exhibition Hall interprets the 600-year development history of cloisonné through text, images, and artifacts, and also showcases classic works from different periods and styles of the Enamel Factory. It is the first domestic venue to systematically and comprehensively introduce the development of cloisonné art, as well as a platform to showcase the achievements of “Jing Fa Brand” cloisonné in inheritance, development, exploration, and innovation to domestic and international guests. The open Master Studios offer personalized design and custom services for visitors. At the Classic and Collectible Cloisonné Works Display Center, exhibits include classic works preserved by the enterprise over the years, award-winning pieces from national, ministerial, and municipal gold award competitions, as well as replicas of Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasty collections from the Palace Museum. The featured pioneering masterpieces represent the highest level of modern Chinese cloisonné craftsmanship. The Product Display Hall is like a kingdom of cloisonné art. With over 2,000 varieties in diverse shapes and complete specifications, the exquisite cloisonné crafts are a dazzling sight.

　　Transportation Routes

　　Address: No. 10, Anlelin Road, Yongdingmenwai, Dongcheng District, Beijing

　　Transportation: Take bus routes 7, 610, 803, or 986 and get off at Liuli Well Station