A dedication to guardians of porcelain

In 2016, Wei, who had just graduated from Cambridge University with a master's degree in architecture and urban studies, first came to Jingdezhen to work on urban renewal projects. At that time, the city was much less developed than it is today.

Over the past 10 years, friends have often asked her for advice on visiting the city, such as where to go and how to buy porcelain. This sparked the idea of creating a book that organizes the city's culture into a readable, engaging and easy-to-understand guide for everyone.

In late 2024, when she learned that Jingdezhen was applying for world heritage status in 2026 for its handcrafted porcelain heritage, she began planning the book to showcase the city from all angles, not just its porcelain.

After spending a decade in Jingdezhen, Wei offers a fresh perspective as an outsider drawn to the city in the book's "Experience" section, which highlights the lively urban life, featuring streets, markets, food, and the coexistence of artisans, locals and young creators.

"This book captures Jingdezhen in the 2020s. The city has a glorious history, but its modern life is just as vibrant, filled with lively interactions and ongoing creativity," she says.

This modern life is also what Zhang Jie, an urban planner and professor at Tsinghua University who leads urban renewal projects, such as the Taoyangli historical and cultural district and the Taoxichuan cultural and creative district, is glad to see in Jingdezhen.

"The true success of Taoxichuan is seen in the lights shining through factory windows late at night — people are living, creating, and interacting there," he says.