Zhejiang Xitou village: Artists keep kilns burning

Tucked away in the mountainous region of Longquan, Zhejiang province, Xitou village is a place steeped in a millennium-long tradition of celadon porcelain making. Here, families have protected and handed down their artisanal techniques through the generations, preserving a cultural heritage that continues to define the village.

The village, with a history of 1,400 years, boasts seven ancient kilns still in use, a testament to its rich porcelain culture. The largest is a snake-shaped kiln nestled along a mountain. In 2009, the traditional wood-fired technique of Longquan celadon porcelain was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.