Imperial Kilns is a treasure of Shishan Town, Foshan, and Lingnan area.
Imperial kiln in Shishan Town
As shown in a recent exhibition about Nanhai symbols held at the Nanhai Museum, during the Song Dynasty, Nanhai kilns, represented by the Qishi Kiln and Wentouling Kiln (formerly known as the "imperial kiln"), produced goods for both domestic and foreign sales. Riding the winds of the "Maritime Silk Road", these products from Nanhai managed to reach the world.
Shishan Riverside Road and Ancient Market Pier.
In history, the flow of people and goods from Lingnan made their way north through the waterway of Guanyao Town (or the"imperial kiln"). As a bustling thoroughfare, visitors from all directions converged here, merging diverse cultures and making the place a fertile ground for legendary stories. From this perspective, Guanyao was most likely the first impression of ancient people from the Central Plains on the customs and culture of Guangzhou.
Since the annexation of Guanyao Town to Shishan Town in 2005, almost twenty years have passed. Walking along the Guanyao Riverside Road, historical buildings such as the Guanyao Bus Station and Guanyao Granary constantly come into view. Elderly people and children gather together, enjoying their walks and playtime, each finding their own delights. At the ancient market pier, young people cast their fishing lines towards the southwest creek. Such a scene is the best embodiment of leisure.
Fengshan Ancient Temple
In July 2022, the Guangdong Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology announced its new discovery—part of the large jars unearthed in the sinking ship from the Song Dynasty, known as "Nanhai I", as well as those resurfaced in the Site of Nanyue Kingdom Palace, were both produced in Nanhai kilns. Moreover, it was revealed that "Nanhai I" had once been to Guangzhou. This significant finding unveils the complete process of Nanhai ceramics, from production to port trade and the subsequent overseas voyages. Guanyao, or the imperial kiln, has once again stood in the spotlight.
On-site investigations indicate that the products of the Wentouling Kiln (formerly known as the "imperial kiln") boasted a rich variety of vessel shapes, diverse glaze colors, and highly skilled decorating techniques. Sadly, time has brought great changes, and the kiln industry of Guanyao no longer exists.
In May 2023, Li Jianshen, the founder of Sanbao International Ceramic Art Village in Jingdezhen and a distinguished professor at Jingdezhen Ceramic University, proposed the concept of the "New Imperial Kiln of the World". When he first saw the"products" of the imperial kiln, he was inspired with the idea of revitalizing the Imperial Kiln. His aim was to rediscover the value of the millennium-old imperial kiln and let the world once again behold its magnificence.
It is reported that the Guanyao Waterway was the main navigation channel from Nanhai County and Guangzhou City to the Central Plains on the Beijiang River. Porcelain and commodities were transported through this route, making it a bustling hub for trade since the Song Dynasty. The "market on the riverbank" in Guanyao thrived during the Qing Dynasty, stretching a total of 10 li (equaling 5 kilometers) and earning the title of the "Ten-Li Long Street." At one point, there were over 300 shops for groceries, 9 tea houses, 5 textile factories, and 8 cloth-drying sites.
Currently, the enhancement and transformation for the first phase of the "Ten-Li Imperial Kiln" project is near completion. Among them, along the five-li stretch, Fengshan Ancient Temple, the birthplace of the Guanyao Lettuce Festival, was restored. Along the six-li stretch, cultural corridors and lush avenues were constructed, with the historical buildings on the Yiyuan Road yet to become shops with a rich Lingnan style. Additionally, a Confucian merchant culture ancient post road and a folk culture street blending the characteristics of the water town, Guangfu commerce, and local traditions are upon completion.
Source: Yangcheng Evening News
