Jingdezhen porcelain industry sites inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage list
Jingdezhen porcelain industry sites inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage list. Ceramics have always been more than just tableware or decoration. They became a language through which East and West communicated long before the global internet existed. When an ancient Chinese city where porcelain of the highest quality was created for centuries receives UNESCO recognition, it is not just an award for the past — it is an acknowledgment that craftsmanship, art and trade can become bridges between civilisations. Jingdezhen, the "porcelain capital" of the world, has now officially entered the list of humanity's heritage, reminding us that true beauty and mastery know no borders.
On Saturday, at the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, the porcelain industry sites of Jingdezhen were inscribed on the World Heritage List. China released a promotional video presenting these sites and briefly explaining their historical and cultural significance. This inscription marked the first time in China that a complete handmade porcelain production system has been recognised as a world cultural heritage site, raising the country's total number of World Heritage sites to 61.
Located in eastern China's Jiangxi Province, the Jingdezhen porcelain industry sites comprise five component parts covering a total area of 1,979 hectares. These parts reflect the entire porcelain production process — from raw material extraction and transport to kiln design innovations and large scale labour organisation. Together, the five sites demonstrate the evolution of handmade porcelain production in China from the 10th to the 19th centuries, which had a profound impact on industry, art and trade both domestically and globally.
Of particular significance is that these sites reflect the fusion of porcelain making techniques, culture and art from China and other parts of the world. Ceramics were among the first globalised goods, creating a bridge for mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilisations. Jingdezhen was also a centre of technological innovation, including the famous "binary formula" of mixing kaolin and porcelain stone. It was here that the finest porcelain was produced, and its blue and white ware and patterns became a valuable global commodity and a symbol of Chinese culture.
Today, Jingdezhen remains a living centre of ceramic art. The Taoxichuan area, transformed into a vibrant creative space, continues to attract young artists from around the world, confirming the city's status as the world's "porcelain capital".
As CCTV+ reports. The inscription of Jingdezhen's sites on the UNESCO list not only preserves historical heritage but also inspires a new generation of artisans to create future masterpieces.
