Firing up a shining past for porcelain

The institute consists of a ceramic archaeology research institute and a kiln museum built on the site of Ming Dynasty imperial kilns. They were once used to produce the finest blue-and-white ceramics for imperial courts.

The elongated structures of the museum are built using a mix of new and recycled bricks from dismantled kilns. Many of the surrounding buildings and houses are also built using kiln bricks, as the kilns had to be rebuilt every two or three years to maintain their thermal performance.

Weng says that the museum's collection includes pieces unearthed at the ancient kilns over the past few decades. The weight of ceramics unearthed reaches dozens of metric tons. The museum opened to the public in 2021 and quickly became a popular destination in Taoyangli.