Porcelain Capital for a Millennium, Colorful Liling (Part One): China's Ceramic Valley

Liling belongs to Hunan, a county-level city managed by Zhuzhou, located in the eastern part of Hunan province, bordering Pingxiang of Jiangxi to the east and Liuyang of Hunan to the north. Liling is famous both domestically and internationally for its ceramics and fireworks. Together with Pingxiang of Jiangxi and its neighbor Liuyang, they form the three major 'Fireworks Capitals'. Liling is also one of the three major 'Porcelain Capitals' in the country! The Liling kiln has been producing ceramics since the Han Dynasty, with a history of over 2000 years, and is the original production site of underglaze polychrome porcelain in the world. China's Ceramic Valley is a must-visit destination in Liling, consisting of 11 exquisitely constructed buildings shaped like ancient porcelain. Some are tall like cups, others low like plates, with smooth curves and rich colors, they stand out particularly striking and eye-catching against the backdrop of the city. The buildings appear independent on the outside, but inside they are cleverly connected, housing the International Ceramic Exhibition Center, Turandot Hotel, Liling Ceramic Valley Art Museum, and Liling City Ceramic Museum, among others. There's no need to ask for directions or use navigation to get to China's Ceramic Valley. Coming off the highway, you can see several huge porcelain bowls, bottles, and jars from a distance, which are the works of the world-famous Italian Archea Architectural Firm. This firm has also designed Beijing's Tango nightclub, Florida Town, and the UBPAB3-2 Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, among others. Unlike other unusual buildings in China that are often criticized, this huge complex of buildings made of porcelain elements has been praised since its construction, and many people will deliberately detour into the valley upon seeing it from afar. These huge 'porcelain' exteriors that seem to be made of porcelain are actually large steel structures with smooth, soft, and beautiful curves. They are like porcelain, as hard and as brittle as the material, yet capable of being drawn into the most delicate lines. China's Ceramic Valley is located next to Phoenix Avenue in the Liling Economic Development Zone. The Ceramic Valley has no gate, but the entrance marked with the blue-font 'China Ceramic Valley' connected buildings are often considered the gate of the valley, which at a glance looks like a butterfly spreading its wings to welcome guests, but upon closer inspection resembles a porcelain goblet for drinking. The Ceramic Museum is that amber-colored large wine glass. Inside the Ceramic Museum, the history of Liling's ceramics, as well as that of China's ceramics, is preserved. The Turandot Hotel is also very recognizable, with its shape being the classic spindle bottle form found in ceramic vases. Therefore, the museum complex of porcelain is also known as a local landmark. Liling Ceramic Valley