Gaoling and Yaoli

Overview

About

The Gaoling–Yaoli scenic area in the porcelain capital of Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, is famous for the culture of kaolin clay, which takes its name from Gaoling, and for well-preserved Ming and Qing villages, with forests and gorges.

It is in the sixth batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 2005.

Travel tips

Getting there: the area lies in Fuliang county, Jingdezhen, which has an airport and a high-speed station (Jingdezhen North). From the city to Yaoli is about 50 km, roughly an hour by coach; to reach Gaoling you change or hire a car at Yaoli.

Layout: Yaoli is a Ming and Qing village, and Gaoling is where kaolin, the porcelain clay, was first named. They lie not far apart, and Yaoli is the main place to visit.

Yaoli: the old town stretches along the Yao River, with Ming and Qing houses, stone-paved lanes, old bridges and ancestral halls. It can be toured on foot, and there are local restaurants.

Gaoling: the hill has old clay pits and an old path, reached on foot after going by road to the foot of the hill.

Time: a day is enough for Yaoli; with the walk to Gaoling you need two days.

Season: spring brings rape flowers and fresh green, autumn is clear and crisp. Summer is cool in the hills, and winter is possible but cold.

Where to stay: guesthouses in Yaoli old town, which fill up in the busy season and on holidays.

Nearby: Jingdezhen city has ceramic sights such as the Ancient Kiln Folk Museum, which fit into the same trip.

Caution: the old stone lanes are slippery after rain; wear hiking shoes for the walk to Gaoling.