Workers work in the Qianshu Dragon-shaped Kiln. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]

Where can visitors find the cultural vibes of Yixing, a county-level city in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province? Here are the four distinct landmarks with unique ceramic cultural characteristics in Dingshu town.

Qianshu Dragon-shaped Kiln, which started firing in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), has been passed down through generations without interruption. It is currently the only dragon-shaped kiln in Jiangsu that uses traditional methods to fire ceramics. The kiln has contributed to Yixing's reputation as a ceramic capital for centuries. Opening the kiln is the final step in the entire firing process. The opening day of the Dragon-shaped Kiln during the Chinese New Year is a significant and lively folk ritual, when the streets are filled with the sounds of gongs and drums and cheerful crowds.

Huanglong Mountain Mine Site Park. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]

Huanglong Mountain Mine Site Park is a famous source of purple clay used in teapots. The purple clay from Huanglong Mountain, known as "wealthy soil", is renowned for its magnificent and simple color and its excellent quality.

Shushan Gunan Street. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]

Shushan Gunan Street is a typical ancient street from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) in southern Jiangnan. It is one of Yixing's three major historical and cultural districts and the birthplace of Yixing purple clay. Stepping into Gunan Street, the sound of clay pieces being pounded echoes from morning till night. Visitors can visit purple clay studios, enjoy aromatic coffee, and experience the elegance of "ceramic lifestyle" in every detail.

Second Purple Clay Factory Block. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]

Second Purple Clay Factory Block leverages the resources of the former Yixing Second Purple Clay Factory site, incorporating modern artistic concepts to create a trendy cultural and creative hub. The UCCA Clay Museum in the block, designed by Kengo Kuma, is a super popular hotspot that mainly uses clay as the main material. It topped the list of the top 10 museums and art galleries in the 2024 annual ranking by the Italian design website designboom.