Firing up a shining past for porcelain

Over the past millennium, Jingdezhen has developed a rich history and is a rare example of a Chinese city dedicated exclusively to the ceramics industry, says Weng. A variety of porcelain products were discovered at the Imperial Kiln Factory, now the kiln museum, and are on display, giving visitors a glimpse into the area's bustling past.

"I grew up here and I've seen how the district has been restored to its former state," says Weng.

The restoration of Taoyangli began over a decade ago with the repair of the late Ming Dynasty Xujia Kiln. It's the largest wood-fired kiln still in existence, and was used to produce household porcelain.