Kaolin, one of the most iconic and prestigious materials in the world of porcelain, is sourced from the high-altitude mountains of Gaoling Village in Goose Town, located in the northern mountainous region of Jingdezhen. This unique clay has long been celebrated globally for its exceptional quality. The name "kaolin" itself originates from Gaoling Mountain, reflecting its deep historical and cultural significance.
For centuries, kaolin has been the foundation of Jingdezhen’s renowned ceramic tradition. The four classic styles—blue and white, exquisite, pastel, and glazed—have earned a reputation for being "as white as jade, as bright as a mirror, as thin as paper, and as clear as a bell." These pieces are not only admired domestically but also hold a special place in international art circles.
However, with over a thousand years of mining, Jingdezhen’s kaolin reserves are dwindling. This has raised concerns about the future of its traditional porcelain industry. As Liu Gen, manager of the People's Porcelain Factory, explains, the key to sustainable development lies in leveraging the city's time-honored craftsmanship to focus on high-value art ceramics. This shift is seen as essential to maintaining Jingdezhen’s status as the “porcelain capital.â€
In 2005, a significant discovery was made in Yian County, Qiqihar City—a 70-kilometer-long and 15-kilometer-wide kaolin mineral belt. This resource-rich area sparked the growth of a new ceramic industry. Over the years, a 28-kilometer ceramic industrial park emerged, attracting numerous architectural ceramic brands and becoming a major driver of local economic growth.
In recent years, many artists from Hecheng have traveled to the Qiqihar-Jingdezhen Art Ceramics Creation Base to explore their creative potential, gain hands-on experience, and refine their techniques. This cross-regional collaboration has brought a vibrant exchange of ideas and skills between the two regions.
The growing trend of artists gathering together has caught the attention of the Qiqihar CPPCC. At the end of 2012, the CPPCC Ethnic Affairs Committee conducted a special visit to Yian County to discuss the integration of Jingdezhen’s traditional ceramic art with the emerging Qiqihar-Jingdezhen base. They explored ways to develop Yian’s kaolin resources, fill the gap in art ceramic production, and build a strong cultural industry in Hecheng.
Cooperation between the two regions is now accelerating. In May 2013, a research team from Yian County visited Jingdezhen, touring the creation base, kiln factories, and trading markets, while meeting with industry leaders and master artisans. During this trip, Yian County signed a cooperation agreement with the Jiangxi Provincial Light Industry Management Office, focusing on long-term training and recruiting students from Qiqihar. In August of the same year, the first batch of students from Beiguo Hecheng arrived at the Jingdezhen Ceramic Arts and Crafts Vocational and Technical College.
By October, three soil samples from Yian’s kaolin production area were sent to Jingdezhen’s research institutions for professional analysis. Looking ahead, plans are underway for a large-scale porcelain art exhibition in Qiqihar in the summer of 2014, featuring top artists from Jingdezhen. Through live demonstrations of the entire ceramic-making process—from blanking to painting and firing—Liu Yanlong aims to introduce more people in Hecheng to the beauty and artistry of blue-and-white porcelain.
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