Foreign Journalists Bask in the Charm of China's Intangible Cultural Heritage

Chongqing — Foreign journalists can get a close experience of two items listed on China's national intangible cultural heritage- Rongchang pottery and Xiabu (also named grass linen),  which have a history of over one thousand years. Thursday morning, the Experience Chongqing foreign media tour came to Rongchang District of Chongqing to visit Rongchang Pottery Town and Rongchang Grass Linen Hall. 

The entrance of Rongchang Pottery Town

"These potteries are so exquisite!" After walking through Taobao Ancient Street, the ancient post road, and Anbei Pottery Village, foreign journalists couldn't help but admire the exquisite pottery.

There are lots of exquisite pottery exhibited in Anbei Pottery Village.

At the Anbei Pottery Village, artisans are making blanks for pottery works. The traditional production method of Rongchang pottery has more than 20 processes. The red clay and white clay produced in Anfu Street, Rongchang District, Chongqing is an excellent raw material for ceramics. This kind of clay has fine particles, strong plasticity, and is not easy to crack during firing.

A craftsman is making blanks for pottery works.

"What's the difference between Rongchang Pottery and the ordinary pottery? “asked a foreign journalist. The staff here answered that Rongchang pottery clay is rich in trace elements, so Rongchang pottery has a long-term storage effect on the stored items. The teapot made of this kind of clay will not have any peculiar smell even if the tea leaves are placed for a long time.

The process of artisans making pottery attracted many foreign journalists to record.

Guan Yongshuang and Li Yunshan, a young couple born in the 1990s, are two ceramic artists who have been working in the Rongchang District of Chongqing for six years. Their pottery workshop has gradually developed into a courtyard studio covering nearly 600 square meters, consisting of a special treehouse, pottery studio, and tearoom, where they live a poetic life. Their ceramic works are also very exquisite and sold at home and abroad.

Guan Yongshuang and Li Yunshan are a young couple operate a courtyard pottery studio.

"I studied ceramic art at university. I think the clay here is the best and can make top-class ceramic works." After graduating from university, the couple chose to come here to develop a ceramic theme homestay based on ceramic culture.

Faced with how to increase the market value of pottery that foreign media are concerned about, Guan Yongshuang said that he has gradually gained popularity by participating in major national ceramic exhibitions and cultural and creative exhibitions, international exhibitions, and other activities. And orders of pottery gradually increase.

The visiting delegation then came to Rongchang Grass Linen Hall. In the two-story exhibition hall, various products made of Rongchang grass linen are displayed here, including tea coasters, folding fans, other handicrafts, and traditional clothing such as socks, scarves, and shirts pajamas.

The folding fans are made of Rongchang grass linen.

“Now, we have also developed quilt covers, sheets, and other bedding. The prices of these products on display range from tens of yuan to several thousand yuan.” The relevant person in charge told us that the company began to reform its business model a few years ago. The company began to build its own design team and develop innovative products.

There are many exquisite cultural products in the Rongchang Grass Linen Hall.

"We also launched socks and masks made by Rongchang grass linen this year. The socks are comfortable to wear, with the characteristic of breathable, sweat-absorbent, antibacterial, and cool." A foreign reporter also bought socks and prepared to take them home to her family.

Lady's handbag is a kind of innovative product made of Rongchang grass linen and other materials.

It is well-known that the Rongchang grass linen industry is one of the most distinctive traditional industries in Rongchang. In 2007, it was included in the "Chongqing’s First Batch of Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage List."