“The Enchanted Kingdom of Porcelain Dreams”

#chinatravel Why Jingdezhen 景德镇 should be on your radar if you’re visiting Huangshan 黄山 When people think of China, pottery and ceramics often come to mind, but surprisingly few travelers know about Jingdezhen 景德镇 - the thousand-year-old “Porcelain Capital”. What’s even more surprising? It’s just an hour by high-speed rail from the famous Huangshan 黄山 (Yellow Mountain). This place has been making ceramics for over a thousand years and was a major supplier for the imperial court back in the day. These days, it’s turned into something completely different - thousands of young people are literally quitting their jobs in big cities and moving here to learn pottery. Many of them become digital nomads, combining remote work with learning this traditional craft. It’s pretty wild seeing all these former office workers now covered in clay, starting their own ceramic brands. If you’re in the area, it’s worth spending some time here. The China Ceramics Museum 中国陶瓷博物馆 gives you a solid overview of the craft’s history, and nearby Yaoli Ancient Town 瑶里古镇 feels like stepping into a fairytale version of rural China - all misty mountains and traditional architecture. Got extra time? You can actually take pottery classes and make your own pieces. There’s something pretty satisfying about creating something with your hands in a place where people have been doing the same thing for a millennium. Fair warning though - the local food is seriously spicy. If you have a sensitive stomach, proceed with caution!