A dedication to guardians of porcelain

On July 25, the Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites in Jiangxi province were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, marking them as the world's first World Heritage site dedicated entirely to porcelain and ceramics.

A book, Cidu Hui (Porcelain Capital Illustrated: A Visual Guide to the Culture and Life of Jingdezhen), was recently released as the city's first comprehensive illustrated guide.

The creative team from Jingdezhen Information Design Studio, China National Geography and Ciduhui Studio spent years visiting 45 core heritage sites, meticulously hand-drawing 72 traditional porcelain-making processes, detailing kiln architecture, and providing a year-round guide to local market delicacies.

Liu Zili, a Jingdezhen native and the founder of Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue, describes Cidu Hui as a "wormhole through time and space" leading to the porcelain capital. It not only portrays porcelain and old buildings but also conveys the enduring dedication of generations of guardians of the porcelain industry, he says.

The book's cover design features the iconic blue-and-white Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) plum vase from Jingdezhen. Inside, it captures the vibrant lives of kiln workers, artisans and newcomers.

Divided into five sections — heritage, porcelain, towns, architecture, and experiences — it connects the city's history from ancient imperial kilns and major state-run porcelain factories to the modern blend of local and migrant artisans, serving both as a professional resource on UNESCO's World Heritage List and as a travel guide for the public.

Wei Weijia, the book's initiator and chief planner, shared her 10 years of life and work experience in Jingdezhen, as well as the process of creating the book at its Beijing launch event in early August.