Yaoli and the Villages Behind Jingdezhen’s Porcelain

Yaoli lies along the Yao River, also known as the Dong River, roughly 50 kilometres from Jingdezhen. Houses face the water, narrow stone lanes run between them, and bridges link the two banks. It is a useful place to slow down after the city’s workshops and look at the landscape that supplied its porcelain industry.

Start with the village and its river

Walk the riverside paths before seeking out individual sights. Simple timber crossings, a covered bridge used for sitting and conversation, and a larger arched road bridge give the riverside different views. Their interest lies as much in everyday use as in their construction. The stone paths were also part of the old trading connection between Huizhou and Raozhou.

Hui-style houses have pale walls, dark roof tiles and tall fire walls. Look for the Cheng, Wu and Zhang ancestral halls and Shigang Shenglan, buildings associated with the Ming and Qing periods and later repairs. Brick, stone and wood carvings reward a closer look. Respect private thresholds: a half-open door is not an invitation to enter.

The former residence associated with Chen Yi houses an exhibition about the New Fourth Army’s reorganisation in Yaoli in 1937–38. Check access locally. The old commercial street needs a different expectation: many buildings have been replaced, rather than surviving as an intact line of timber shops.

What to eat and what the pottery tells you

Local snacks include zhenzhu miguo, youci and jianshui ba. The last is a rice preparation made with alkaline water, cut into pieces and stir-fried or deep-fried. Its yellow-brown colour and chewy texture distinguish it from a plain white rice cake. A small meal by the river can fit naturally between walks.

Yaoli was once called Yaoli with a character meaning kiln. Ceramic workshops here date back to the Tang period. Later, local porcelain stone and processed glaze material supplied Jingdezhen. Most of the village’s old kilns have disappeared; a pottery souvenir stall is not, by itself, evidence of an ancient workshop. Buy something for its workmanship rather than an unverified claim of age.

Continue north to Raonan

Raonan is about three kilometres north of Yaoli. The road from Wolongtan follows the Dong River. Check conditions before walking a road with traffic. The village has Hui-style courtyard houses, a covered bridge and a low stone dam.

Its water-powered pounder explains a less visible part of porcelain making. Stone was crushed, washed and settled, then processed and dried into blocks for glaze preparation. A demonstration is not guaranteed; ask whether the machinery will be operating when you visit.

Nearby kiln remains include a dragon kiln used from the later Southern Song into the Ming period. Ask about access to the archaeological area and any hands-on pottery activity rather than assuming either is included in a general ticket.

Gaoling on the return towards Jingdezhen

Gaoling links the journey to porcelain’s raw materials. Its clay deposits helped supply Jingdezhen, and the international term kaolin derives from the place name. The former mining area offers another way to understand the industry beyond finished pots.

For buses from Jingdezhen, use current service information rather than old departure points or timetables. Confirm the current route, last return and connections between Yaoli, Raonan and Gaoling before setting off. A hired vehicle may simplify a multi-stop day; agree the stops and return arrangements in advance.