After so many years exploring China, there was one place that had been on my radar for a long time but somehow never made it into my travel plans: Jingdezhen.
I think sometimes when you live somewhere for years, it's actually the places relatively close to you that you keep postponing. You convince yourself you'll visit next time because getting there seems so easy.
Jingdezhen was that place for me.
Located in Jiangxi Province and easily reached by high-speed train from Shanghai, Jingdezhen is known as China’s porcelain capital and has been at the heart of Chinese ceramic production for more than 1,000 years.
Think independent pottery studios, enormous ceramic markets, historic imperial kilns, contemporary artists and entire neighbourhoods dedicated to porcelain.
After finally visiting, I really wish I hadn't waited so long.
In this Jingdezhen travel guide, I’m sharing the best things to do in Jingdezhen, the ceramic markets and museums worth visiting, where I stayed, and how you can plan a 2–3 day trip from Shanghai.
Why Visit Jingdezhen, China’s Porcelain Capital?
Jingdezhen has been one of China's most important centres of porcelain production for centuries. During the imperial period, its kilns produced porcelain for the Chinese court, and Jingdezhen porcelain eventually travelled far beyond China.
But what makes visiting Jingdezhen so interesting today is that this history isn't something you only see behind glass in a museum.
The entire city still feels connected to ceramics.
You walk past tiny pottery studios with people working inside, shelves overflowing with cups and teapots, huge ceramic markets, contemporary galleries, historic kilns and young artists selling pieces they've made themselves.
Ceramics are quite literally everywhere.
What I loved most about Jingdezhen was seeing how much work goes into something as seemingly simple as a cup.
Someone shapes it. Someone paints it. Someone glazes it. Then comes the firing process, and sometimes a tiny imperfection means starting again.
It completely changes the way you look at an object once you understand the hands, time and knowledge behind making it.
There is often a very particular perception outside China of what "Made in China" means, usually associated with factories and mass production. Jingdezhen shows another side of that story, one built around generations of craftsmanship, artistic experimentation and skills that have been passed down for centuries.
Visiting Jingdezhen made me appreciate handmade objects in a completely different way.
How to Get to Jingdezhen from Shanghai
One of the reasons I kept postponing Jingdezhen was because it always felt close enough that I could visit another time.
From Shanghai, you can reach Jingdezhen North Railway Station (景德镇北站) by high-speed train, with journeys generally taking around four hours depending on the service.
That makes Jingdezhen surprisingly easy to visit as a long weekend or as part of a longer China itinerary.
I would recommend checking current train schedules before planning your trip, as journey times and direct services can change.
For booking trains in China, I personally use Trip.com, especially because the interface is easy to navigate if you don't speak Chinese.
Where to Stay in Jingdezhen
Where you stay in Jingdezhen really depends on what kind of experience you want.
I actually stayed in two different areas during my trip, and I'm glad I did because they offered completely different experiences.
Staying in Sanbao Ceramic Village
For part of my trip, I stayed just outside downtown Jingdezhen in Sanbao Ceramic Village (三宝国际陶艺村).
If you're coming to Jingdezhen because you love ceramics, design, photography or creative spaces, I really recommend spending some time here.
Sanbao has become a community of ceramic studios, artists, workshops, cafés, small shops and beautiful creative spaces surrounded by nature.
It feels much quieter than central Jingdezhen, and parts of the area almost feel like countryside.
There are plenty of little shops to wander into, people working with ceramics and, unsurprisingly, lots of people taking photos.
It's one of those places where you don't necessarily need a strict itinerary. Part of the experience is simply walking around and seeing what you find.
Staying in Downtown Jingdezhen
For my final night, I moved closer to downtown Jingdezhen so I could have easier access to the train station for my early departure the following morning.
Staying more centrally also gives you convenient access to museums, restaurants, Taoxichuan and many of Jingdezhen's main attractions.
If you have two or three nights, I actually liked having both experiences: a slower stay around Sanbao and then a more convenient base in the city.
I've put together a separate selection of hotels in Jingdezhen that I would consider, including options around Sanbao Ceramic Village and more central locations.
→ Find my Jingdezhen hotel recommendations here.
Best Things to Do in Jingdezhen
You could easily spend several days exploring Jingdezhen, especially if you're interested in ceramics, art or design.
These are the places I would add to your Jingdezhen itinerary.
1. Jingdezhen China Ceramics Museum
The best place to understand Jingdezhen’s porcelain history, with an extensive collection of ceramics spanning different periods and styles.
2. Imperial Kiln Museum & Taoyangli
Explore the remains of the imperial kilns alongside the museum’s beautiful contemporary architecture, then wander through Taoyangli’s historic lanes, shops and cafés.
3. Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue
A former ceramic factory transformed into a creative district filled with galleries, studios, cafés and shops. Visit in the afternoon and stay for the ceramic markets when they’re running.
4. Ming Qing Yuan Ceramic Market (明清园)
A weekend ceramic market inside the Jingdezhen Sculpture Porcelain Factory, with affordable handmade pieces from local artists and students. Market: Sat–Sun, around 9:00–12:00 | Ming Qing Yuan: 9:00–17:00
5. Sculpture Porcelain Factory
A creative area packed with independent ceramic studios, shops and makers. It’s one of the best places in Jingdezhen to browse and buy ceramics directly from artists.
6. Sanbao Ceramic Village
A quieter creative community surrounded by nature, with pottery studios, cafés, small shops and beautiful spaces to explore. Give yourself at least half a day to wander around.
7. Ancient Kiln Folk Customs Museum
A great place to learn more about traditional Jingdezhen porcelain-making techniques and see historic kilns and craftsmanship up close.
8. Porcelain Palace (A must)
An unusual and incredibly photogenic building decorated with thousands of pieces of porcelain, offering a completely different side of Jingdezhen’s ceramic culture.
9. Yaoli Ancient Town
A historic town outside Jingdezhen surrounded by mountains, traditional architecture and waterways, with its own connections to the region’s porcelain history.
10. Hanxi Village
A peaceful countryside escape known for contemporary art installations and rural landscapes. A good addition if you have an extra day around Jingdezhen.
How Many Days Do You Need in Jingdezhen?
I would recommend spending 2–3 days in Jingdezhen.
Two days are enough to experience the main ceramic museums, markets and creative areas, especially if you're travelling from Shanghai for a weekend.
Three days will allow you to slow down, spend more time around Sanbao Ceramic Village and potentially explore somewhere outside the city.
Jingdezhen isn't really a place I would recommend rushing.
Part of what makes it special is wandering into workshops, looking through markets, stopping at small cafés and discovering places you didn't originally plan to visit.
2-Day Jingdezhen Itinerary
If you only have a weekend, this is how I would organise your trip.
Day 1: Downtown Jingdezhen
Start at the Jingdezhen China Ceramics Museum before heading to the Imperial Kiln Museum and Taoyangli.
Spend the afternoon exploring the historical area before heading to Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue later in the day.
If there's a market happening that evening, stay for it.
Day 2: Ceramics and Sanbao
Spend the morning exploring the Sculpture Porcelain Factory and ceramic shops before heading towards Sanbao Ceramic Village.
Leave the afternoon relatively unplanned so you can wander through Sanbao's studios, cafés and creative spaces.
3-Day Jingdezhen Itinerary
If you have three days, follow the two-day Jingdezhen itinerary above and use your third day to explore outside the city.
You could visit Yaoli Ancient Town, Hanxi Village, or spend more time discovering Jingdezhen's smaller ceramic studios and markets.
Personally, I think the extra day is worth it if ceramics and creative spaces are one of the main reasons you're visiting.
Jingdezhen Travel Tips
When Is the Best Time to Visit Jingdezhen?
Spring and autumn are generally comfortable seasons for exploring this part of China, particularly if you want to spend a lot of time walking around outdoor creative districts and villages.
Always check the weather before your trip, especially during China's hotter and more humid summer months.
Also keep Chinese public holidays in mind. Popular attractions and trains can become significantly busier during major holiday periods.
How Do You Get Around Jingdezhen?
Jingdezhen's attractions are spread across different parts of the city, so don't expect to walk everywhere.
Taxis and ride-hailing are useful for travelling between areas such as downtown Jingdezhen and Sanbao Ceramic Village.
If you're planning places outside the city, give yourself extra travel time.
Is Jingdezhen Worth Visiting?
Absolutely, and especially if you already have Shanghai on your China itinerary and want to experience somewhere completely different.
Jingdezhen reminded me that travelling in China doesn't always have to be about famous landmarks or huge cities.
Sometimes the most interesting places are built around one craft, one tradition, and generations of people continuing to reinvent it.
There is something incredibly inspiring about seeing an entire city shaped by creativity.
After years of saying I'll go eventually, I'm glad I finally did.
And I definitely didn't return with an empty suitcase.
→ Find my Jingdezhen hotel recommendations here.
Need help getting around China?
Travelling around China is generally easy, but reaching smaller towns, rural areas and places outside the main tourist routes can sometimes require a little more planning.
If you need private transportation in China, I’ve partnered with Terra Now Travel, a local travel company that can arrange private cars and drivers for destinations across the country.
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→ See transportation options, prices & more information
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For travelling around China, I personally use Trip.com for booking hotels and trains. After years of travelling around the country, it's the platform I've gotten used to and one I find particularly easy to use when planning trips in China.
Some of the links in this Jingdezhen travel guide are affiliate links. This means that if you make a booking through one of my links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. It helps support my work and allows me to continue creating independent China travel guides. Thank you for supporting my content.
