Yixing

Yixing - the Pottery Capital of China and the Teapot Center of the World

Yixing is a city situated on the western side of Lake Taihu, in the southeastern province of Jiangsu, the delta of Yangtze River, and about four hours driving distance from Shanghai. The area is also called "Fish and Rice Countryside of Jiangnan (Southeast of Yangtze River)". It is one of the richest areas of Eastern China.

According to the history source, the ceramic production history can be traced to 7,000 to 8,000 years ago in Yixing area. It started producing celadon ware during the Han and Jin Dynasties, and a kiln site of the Tang Dynasty has been excavated in the area. Today, Yixing ceramics can be divided into five categories, also called the Five Golden Flowers: Zisha, Jing-Tao (white dinner ware), Cai-Tao (multi-colored ceramics), Jun-Tao (also called Jun glazed ware) and celadon. The purple sand teapots of Yixing might be the most well known in the world.

The purple-brownish highly iron content clay is called "Purple Sand" (Zisha). It is mined in the Huang Long (Yellow Dragon) Mountain at Dingshu Town and is mainly made into the unglazed, palm size, stoneware teapots which became well-known in the world since the Ming dynasty (the late 16th century). Yixing city is well known as the "Pottery Capital" of China and the "Teapot Center of the World".

Yixing also attracts tourists with its famous bamboo forest, tea plantations, purple sand and natural caverns (there are over eighty caves in the mountain area).

Transportation to Yixing
There are no airports or train stations in Yixing. Travelers have to take the bus from Shanghai, Wuxi, or Hangzhou to get to Yixing. But, a new train station and highway connecting Wuxi via Yixing to Hangzhou will be completed soon. Yixing can be divided into two main districts: Yixing City and Dingshu Town. Because most of the ceramic-related factories and stores are located in Dingshu Town, your first choice is to find a hotel in here.

Interested in China travel? Have you planned what is your next destination? Consider start a fantastic travel soon? Customize your China travel, here we go! Show me your ideas; let us guide your travel now.

Our TripsBooking ConditionsTravel FAQHow to Book

Our Trips: