Create Ancient Pottery Magic: 2500-Year-Old Yingjing Ceramics Experience
- cometodolphinunion
- Nov 3
- 3 min read
Hey there! Let me tell you about this incredible place most tourists completely miss in Sichuan.
So picture this: while everyone else is chasing pandas and eating spicy hotpot (which, don't get me wrong, is awesome), you could be standing in a 2300-year-old pottery street watching masters pull glowing ceramics from 1300°C kilns. Yeah, you heard that right - 1300 degrees!
My photographer friend Tom went there for a quick visit and ended up staying three days. He couldn't stop raving about it. "Every corner is a photo opportunity," he told me, "but watching them pull red-hot pottery from those ancient kilns? That's something else entirely."
Welcome to Yingyao·2300 Pottery Street in Ya'an - basically a living museum that's still actually working. This isn't some tourist show - these guys are the real deal, using techniques that haven't changed since the Qin and Han dynasties.
（Yingjing ceramics experience Sichuan）
Why you've gotta see this place:
• It's like stepping into a time machine The moment you walk onto this 500-meter street, the air smells of clay and charcoal, and you hear the rhythmic tapping of artisans at work. The best part? They're not performing - this is their actual life. Meet Master Zhang, 76 years young, who's been working here for 60 years. His family has been making sand pottery here for generations.
• Photography heaven When those kilns hit 1300°C at dusk and they open the doors? The glow is absolutely magical. Bring your tripod because you'll want to capture every second. Pro tip: the golden hour around sunset is pure magic.
• Make your own masterpiece You can actually get your hands dirty and create your own pottery under the guidance of these masters. Don't worry if you're all thumbs - they've taught everyone from kids to grandparents. They'll even fire and ship your creation to you!
• The "peacock blue" magic Here's the coolest part: when they pull the glowing pottery from the kiln and bury it in sawdust, something magical happens. The iron in the clay rises to the surface and creates this stunning peacock blue color that's different every single time. The masters say "30% human effort, 70% heaven's will" - meaning even they can't predict exactly how each piece will turn out!
Quick practical info:
📍 Ya'an Yingyao·2300 Pottery Street （address：雅安市荥经县康宁路西二段377号）
🚗 2 hours from Chengdu by car
💰 Free to visit, 150-300 RMB to make your own piece
📸 Best times: mornings for shaping, evenings for kiln shots
My personal take: I've been here multiple times and it never gets old. There's something incredibly authentic about this place that's hard to find elsewhere in China. As my Brazilian friend Maria put it: "Here, I touched the soul of Chinese culture."
If you go:
• Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty
• Bring extra camera batteries and memory cards
• Plan to spend a full day
• Definitely stay for the evening kiln opening - it's worth it!
Seriously, skip the crowded tourist spots for a day and come here instead. Where else can you watch 2300 years of history come alive right before your eyes?
Plus, you get to bring home an actual piece of ancient Chinese culture that you made yourself.
How cool is that?
Trust me, this will be the highlight of your Sichuan trip that you'll be telling stories about for years to come.
Just don't blame me if you get addicted to pottery-making! 😉
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