Southern Song Imperial Kiln Museum Hangzhou

China for your holiday will be a mesmerizing experience. As you are well aware Chinese culture is one of the oldest in the world and it is one of the richest cultures in the world, with a lot of contributions. The Chinese used porcelain from very olden times and there is a trifle confusion about the year in which China made its first porcelain. Some scholars suggest that it was in the Eastern Han period (100 AD -200 AD) and some others feel that it could have been in the Three Kingdoms period or Six Dynasties period or the Tang Dynasty period. Again some scholars feel that first true porcelain was made in the Eastern Han period in the province of Zheijing. As you must know Chinese pottery had made great strides and the fame of skilled Chinese artisans had reached far and wide. On your trip to China, try and understand more of Chinese pottery and the evolution of porcelain in China. In this context, Southern Song Official Kiln Museum, Hangzhou should be on your “must see’” list.

To visit Southern Song Official Kiln Museum, Hangzhou, you will have to come to the foot of the Turtle Hill which again is to the south of the Jade Emperor Hill. The museum is not very old, it opened in 1992 and occupies one hectare of land. Hangzhou flourished as a major porcelain production center during the reign of the Southern Song Dynasty. This kiln was located very near the imperial court and so the porcelain that was manufactured here was for the exclusive use of the Emperor and his royal court. Noblemen living in the immediate neighborhood of the kiln also used the porcelain manufactured in the kiln. The porcelain that was manufactured in Southern Song Official Kiln Museum, Hangzhou, was of two distinct types, one was the porcelain used for daily use and another was porcelain used for decorative purposes.

Now, the museum has three sections each displaying the glorious history of porcelain in China. Ancient kiln protection, a relic display and an ancient imitation workshop are the three sections of this museum which are sure to enthrall you.