Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Factory

The Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Museum, also known as the Imperial Kiln Factory, was a renowned porcelain production center for the royal court during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Built on the historical ruins of the imperial kiln factory, where porcelain was fired for the royal palace, the museum was designated as a cultural heritage conservation site in Jingdezhen City in 1983. Spanning an area of 54,300 square meters, it stands as the longest-running, largest-scale, and most exquisite official porcelain factory in China. The museum brought together exceptional talents, exquisite craftsmanship, fine raw materials, and ample funding, resulting in the creation of countless exquisite and unparalleled porcelain treasures. The Royal Kiln occupies a special and significant position in the history of ceramic development. Jingdezhen's ceramic production dates back to the Han and Wei dynasties, flourished during the Sui and Tang dynasties, and reached its zenith during the Song dynasty. The Yuan dynasty marked its period of ascent, while it gained renowned status as a porcelain capital during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

imperial kiln factory 2

Two Important Historical Records of the Imperial Kiln

In the year 1279 (the 16th year of the Yuan Dynasty), Emperor Kublai Khan established the Fuliang Porcelain Bureau in Zhushan, Jingdezhen, which was responsible for producing porcelain exclusively for the imperial court. Later, in 1369 (the 2nd year of the Ming Dynasty), Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang transformed the Fuliang Porcelain Bureau into the Imperial Porcelain Factory, which was subsequently renamed the Imperial Kiln during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. The Imperial Kiln continued to produce porcelain for over 700 years until 1911.

Historical Evolution of Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln


Even today, a stone well remains five meters away from the entrance of the southern gate, serving as the sole surface relic of the Ming Imperial Kiln site. The imperial kiln, originally known as Zhushan, was situated at the heart of the old city. However, after the founding of the People's Republic of China, urban construction and redevelopment led to the near-leveling of the Zhushan area. Only the site of the Longzhu Pavilion, preserved on a ten-meter-high platform, survived. Most of the treasured imperial kiln porcelain artifacts have been collected in the Palace Museum in Beijing, the National Palace Museum in Taipei, and various major museums worldwide. The underground remains at the Imperial Kiln site are exceptionally rich, housing unearthed porcelain artifacts from the Yuan dynasty and a multitude of vessels from the Ming dynasty. These artifacts hold significant importance for researching the history of ceramic development in China.

imperial kiln logo

Unveiling the Imperial Kiln Factory in Jingdezhen

Prominent historical events and stories that unfolded in the Imperial Kiln

Why was Jingdezhen chosen as the site of the imperial kiln factory?

Is it true that people have rented nearby the imperial kiln and dug tunnels at night to search for ancient ceramics during 1990?

Why did the furious beheading of the Ceramic officer occur at the Jingdezhen Imperial Kiln Factory

How to win the favor of emperor Xuande by cricket jars?

Was Tang Ying a real historical figure, and what significant contributions did he make to China?

Why did Chenghua Doucai Chicken Cup become famous?

Was Tong Bin a historical figure, and what is the reason behind the widespread respect for this figure in Jingdezhen?

Why was there an increase in the production of office tool porcelain during the Kangxi period?

During which period in history was the Jingdezhen Ceramic Industry most backward, and what were the reasons behind this decline?