Fascinating China Ceramic Valley
2022-08-17
We can better understand how Liling has developed into the Capital of Porcelain from the perspective of its geographical conditions. The Lujiang River runs through Liling from east to west, and another wider river converges with the Lujiang River and then runs north to the Dongting Lake, so boats sailing down the Lujiang River can go east to Wuhan, Nanjing and Shanghai, and go west to Chongqing and Chengdu. The natural river system is a blessing for Liling, which is also endowed with rich porcelain clay in the Weishan Mountain.
An artificial benefit for Liling is the arrival of the railway. In 1903, Hunan’s first railway named Zhuzhou-Pingxiang Railway was completed and connected Liling and Anyuan District of Jiangxi Province. When Zhuzhou-Pingxiang Railway was opened to traffic, the construction of Guangzhou-Wuchang Railway just began. Later, Zhuzhou-Pingxiang Railway became part of Zhejiang-Jiangxi Railway, which intersects with Beijing-Guangzhou Railway and Beijing-Kowloon Railway.
Most pieces of porcelain ware produced in Liling were transported by waterway before the railway was completed. After Zhuzhou-Pingxiang Railway and Guangzhou-Wuchang Railway were opened to traffic, the train became an important tool for porcelain ware transportation. In October 1931, the railway departments gave preferential prices to the transportation of porcelain ware from Liling in a bid to support the development of porcelain industry. While driving the soaring development of the world, trains have also contributed to the worldwide reputation of Liling and its porcelain ware.
There is no need to ask the way or use navigation apps when you go to China Ceramic Valley. After you leave the expressway, several huge porcelain bowls, bottles and pots will come in sight from afar. They are produced by word-renowned Italian Archea Architect’s Office, which also designed Beijing Tango Ballroom, Florida Village, the UBPAB3-2 Pavilion of 2010 Shanghai World Expo, etc.
Unlike other Chinese special-shaped buildings plagued by persistent criticisms, this giant architectural complex composed of porcelain elements has been applauded since its completion. Many people who notice China Ceramic Valley from a distance will specially make a detour into it. Although the buildings resemble giant “porcelain ware”, they are actually large-scale steel-framed structures with smooth, soft and exquisite curves.
China Ceramic Valley is located next to Fenghuang Avenue in Liling Economic Development Zone. There is no gate in China Ceramic Valley, but its connected building is often considered as the “gate” with its name in blue fonts marked on it. The “gate” looks like either a butterfly opening its wings toward guests at first glance or a porcelain cup at a closer look.
In the daytime of summer, it is recommended to go to the Ceramic Museum or Turandot Hotel.
The Ceramic Museum is an amber tumbler-shaped building, and some people say that’s because some investors run wine enterprises. The ceramic history of Liling and of China are hidden in the Ceramic Museum.
In 1915, the US held the largest expo at that time—Panama Expo, where China won the gold medal of porcelain with a piece of porcelain ware produced in Liling. In the Ceramic Museum, one can see this piece of porcelain ware and other pieces used in state banquets and as state gifts, each of which is a rare artwork.
For people who are not familiar with porcelain of Liling, they may wonder about the statue of Xiong Xiling in the Ceramic Museum. In fact, this arrangement is reasonable. In 1905, Xiong Xiling went to Japan with Hunan Governor Duan Fang for studying industries. After witnessing the well-developed craftsmanship of the Japanese porcelain industry, Xiong Xiling returned and founded the first Chinese porcelain school in Liling and a porcelain company, which is regarded as the earliest Chinese fine porcelain enterprise. It was his efforts that enabled Liling porcelain to win the prize at the Panama Expo
Turandot Hotel that resembles a spindle-shaped ceramic vase is also conspicuous in the complex. As the most creative and largest porcelain cultural themed hotel, there are 15 floors spinning upwards in the white building. On the first floor of the hotel, there is a porcelain exhibition hall where visitors can hang about and buy what they like even if they do not plan to book the hotel.
In 2017, Torbjørn Kvasbø, vice chairman of the IAC of the UNESCO, praised China Ceramic Valley as “the ‘Hollywood’ to present world ceramics”. In this “Hollywood”, one can visit the Ceramic Museum, Turandot Hotel, Tao Runhui Life Art Center, China Ceramic Valley International Exhibition Center, Master Studio, etc. On behalf of “Made in China”, the ceramics of China Ceramic Valley have impressed the world in silence.
