Home > Attractions

Flowing across time

By LI YINGXUE (China Daily)

663ed222a31082fc2b6dc65c.jpeg

Visitors flock to the Qingmingqiao area in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, to enjoy the vibrant nightlife. LI YINGXUE/CHINA DAILY

Wonderful waterway

Wuxi stands out among the 18 cities the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal passes through, as the only one where the canal flows through the urban area.

Historically, pottery making thrived there, with more than 400 kilns lining 1.5 kilometers of the ancient canal.

Wuxi's bricks weren't just local treasures — they journeyed across the nation along the canal. Portions of the bricks for Nanjing's city wall in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the golden bricks for Beijing's Forbidden City originate from Wuxi.

"I once vividly imagined the night scenes in ancient times, with more than 400 kilns glowing red along both sides of the waterway. It seemed like the sky was painted red in the distance. It was truly a breathtaking sight," says Ruan Xiqing, local writer and chairman of the Liangxi District Writers Association in Wuxi.

The pottery industry declined with the shift from water to land transportation. Today, there remain the ruins of nearly 50 kilns along the canal, including 19 well-preserved ones on Dayao Road by the waterway.

The Wuxi Kiln Site Museum offers insights into the area's rich heritage of brick and pottery making. Visitors can see various types of bricks and tiles, and learn about the firing processes through exhibits and models.

Despite the industry's decline, over 3,000 descendants of kiln workers still live in the Qingmingqiao area. They've actively contributed to the museum's establishment by donating materials and serving as volunteer guides.

"The museum is a valuable tourist attraction where visitors can witness the 600-year evolution of China's brick kiln culture," explains Ruan. For him, it holds childhood memories.

     
Videos
 
67df97dca310c240e2431499.jpeg

2025 Wuxi Marathon kicks off

微信截图_20250303090633.jpg

Wuxi's spring starts from Plum Garden

67a412dca310a2ab87b65ce1.jpeg

Sculpting the imagination

微信截图_20241129102133.jpg

Where to go hiking in Yixing

News
Sports
Videos
Photos
Business
Biz Updates
Industries
Development Zones
Companies
Travel
Attractions
Dining
Accommodation
Shopping
Entertainment
Transportation
Maps
Culture
Culture News
Heritage
Museums
Events
Services
Visa
Marriage
Healthcare
Jobs
Education
Useful Info
Government
Mayor
Departments
Districts
Policies
About
Overview
Statistics
Sister Cities
E-books
Copyright © China Daily. All rights reserved.
The Information Office of Wuxi Municipal People's Government.
Presented by China Daily.
备案号:京ICP备13028878号-34