Artisan transforms street stall into ceramic sanctuary

Three years ago, Ji Mofan stood behind a modest street stall in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, arranging tea wares he had made with his own hands.

Previously, the young ceramic artisan had hit a low point. A tea set design competition he had long prepared for was suddenly postponed. Rent and electricity bills were overdue. The future felt bleak.

At a friend's suggestion, he decided to try something simple yet bold: sell his own work directly to the public.

His pieces were unlike factory-made porcelain. Hand-painted in gold and silver, layered with high-temperature colored glazes, the tea wares drew on the expressive spirit of traditional Chinese ink painting. Their forms resembled bamboo — restrained yet alive — capturing the clarity and quiet vitality of bamboo after rain.

On his first day, Ji earned 1,215 yuan ($175.8).

"It wasn't just the money," he recalled. "It was the feeling of being seen and recognized. That moment gave me confidence."

That confidence led him to Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue, where he formally entered the market through its creative bazaar.

Taoxichuan itself tells a larger story.

The neighborhood stands on the former site of the State-run Universe Porcelain Factory. In the 1990s, as industry reforms reshaped China's manufacturing sector, the once-thriving factory declined and eventually fell silent, leaving behind rows of aging workshops and kilns.

"What should we do with the old factory?" said Liu Zili, executive deputy director of the Jingdezhen National Ceramic Culture Inheritance and Innovation Pilot Zone. "It is part of the history of the 'Porcelain Capital'. We wanted to keep that memory alive."

Beginning in 2013, the city chose preservation over demolition. Twenty-two original factory buildings were retained. Kiln workshops became museums and galleries. Raw material warehouses turned into ceramic experience spaces. Even the kiln bricks paving the square remain original.

"The authenticity is what makes Taoxichuan attractive," Liu said.

Yet preservation alone was not enough. In an era of mass production, traditional ceramic art faced a pressing question: how to remain relevant? How to make young people fall in love with an ancient craft?

Taoxichuan's answer was to transform former kiln workshops into "Yi Space", offering free exhibition and sales venues for young entrepreneurs and artists.

Since officially settling in Taoxichuan in June 2023, Ji has traveled with the team to cities including Nanchang in Jiangxi province, Hefei in Anhui province, Beidaihe in Hebei province and Beijing, bringing Jingdezhen's bazaar culture and handcrafted porcelain to wider audiences.

His connection to Taoxichuan dates back to 2017, when he first visited as a university freshman.

"It felt like visiting a must-see landmark in a new city," he said."During the Spring and Autumn fairs, I saw works from artists around the world and attended performances and lectures. It was refreshing."

Ji is one of many young creators drawn to the neighborhood. By the end of 2025, Taoxichuan had attracted more than 32,000 young entrepreneurs and generated employment for over 130,000 people across related industries.

Beyond its art fairs, the neighborhood now houses the Jingdezhen Heritage of Ceramic Industry Museum, Taoxichuan Art Museum, research and education centers, livestreaming studios and a theater, providing affordable production spaces and services for emerging artists.

It has also welcomed more than 4,000 international artists from over 50 countries and regions.

Jacinto Munoz from Argentina is among them.

"This city offers great possibilities for working with clays, porcelain and glazes," he said. "Getting to know Jingdezhen has opened up new paths for my personal and professional development."

Last year alone, Taoxichuan received 12.25 million visits, reflecting the renewed vitality of Jingdezhen as China's porcelain capital.

On a recent winter evening, Zhang You drove from Shanghai to explore the weekend market.

"The night market here is wonderful," she said. "I can experience different cultures and meet like-minded friends."

For Liu, the vision is simple.

"We hope Taoxichuan can become a dream-making space for young creators," he said. "As long as they love ceramic art and have dreams, this can be their home."