A dragon dance is performed before the opening ceremony of the Qianshu Loong Kiln on Feb 21. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]

In Dingshu town, Yixing, a county-level city in Wuxi, lies a historic relic – the 600-year-old Qianshu Loong Kiln. It is one of only three Loong kilns remaining in the country that still employ ancient pottery-firing methods. Every year, the kiln's opening on the fifth day of the Chinese New Year is a highly anticipated highlight of Dingshu's festivities.

This year, the grand event unfolded as planned. As the festivities began, traditional fish lanterns appeared to "battle" with a golden dragon. The colorful fish lanterns moved gracefully, while the golden dragon commanded an imposing presence. This visual spectacle, a blend of tradition and modernity, captured the auspicious atmosphere of the Chinese New Year.

A foreign artist from the Yixing Creative and Cultural Ceramic Avenue strikes the kiln door. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]

Opening the kiln feels like revealing a giant "cultural blind box". Five local zisha (purple clay) masters and a foreign artist from the Yixing Creative and Cultural Ceramic Avenue took turns striking the kiln door five times. As it swung open, everyone eagerly looked forward to the treasures inside. Zisha potteries, including custom-made zisha creations for the Year of the Horse – the Beihong zisha cups, were carefully brought out, presenting a rainbow of colors.

Beihong zisha cups, custom-made zisha creations for the Year of the Horse, from the Qianshu Loong Kiln. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]

The opening of the loong kiln was like a spark, igniting the entire town's festive spirit. This year, artistic youths flocked to the Tao'er Factory, exploring exhibitions, markets, and crafts in the refurbished artistic spaces of the old factory. Meanwhile, history enthusiasts crowded Gu'nan Street, strolling along the bluestone paths and visiting the numerous zisha studios there to hunt for treasures and listen to stories.