Changsha Tongguan Kiln Site, Hunan

Changsha Tongguan Kiln, also known as "Changsha Kiln" or "Tongguan Kiln," is a porcelain production site dating back to the Tang and Five Dynasties period, with a history of over 1,200 years. First discovered in 1956, the site has revealed 77 dragon kiln ruins, 24 clay-digging cave sites, and numerous workshops, docks, markets, and tombs, covering an area of approximately 0.68 square kilometers. As the birthplace of underglaze multicolored ceramics, Changsha Tongguan Kiln showcases the historical ceramic legacy of "Southern Celadon, Northern White, and Changsha Colors" from the Tang to Five Dynasties era. It pioneered Chinese ceramic decoration by integrating traditional elements such as poetry, proverbs, paintings, product advertisements, and unique molded appliqué designs onto porcelain. Its products were exported to 29 countries and regions, forming a "Maritime Silk Road" connecting Asia and Northeast Africa. In 1998, the sunken ship "Belitung" was salvaged, yielding over 67,000 Chinese artifacts, including 56,500 Changsha Tongguan Kiln ceramics—about 83% of the total cargo—making it the most compelling evidence of the Maritime Silk Road. Currently, the Chenjiaping and Tanjiapo sites are open to visitors for free. It is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.