Southern Song Dynasty Guan Kiln Museum

China is a country with a rich tradition of pottery and porcelain. The history of pottery can be traced back through 8,000 years, while porcelain in China has a history over 2,000 years. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), this culture came to a climax. A variety of chinaware appeared. Particularly representative of that time are the products of the guan kiln. Guan kilns are the official kilns which produce the high-class chinaware for royalty - either for daily use or decoration.

The Southern Song Dynasty Guan Kiln Museum is located at the western foot of Tortoise Hill in Hangzhou, lies on the south edge of West Lake scenic spot, and covers an area of more than 15000 sq meters. With the tasteful display, substantial content and quiet and beautiful environment, it is the first special subject museum on ceramics in China.

It was opened to public in 1992 and was extended in 2002. Now the museum displays the products of the guan kilns of Southern Song Dynasty, highlighting their charm and delicate beauty. It has been praised as the Civilized Museum of Zhejiang Province and the first group of Provincial Education Base of Patriotism.

The Southern Song Guan Kiln, especially established by the royal government, was a royal porcelain kiln, where skilled workmen gathered to produce celadon wares for imperial use exclusively. With its dignified and graceful shape, sparkling jade like color, thin body and thick glaze, Guan ware was recognized as the best among the five famous wares in the Song Dynasty and filled its own colors in Chinese ceramics history. The museum was built according to the architecture of the Southern Song Dynasty. It includes three parts: the protective hall of the ancient kiln site, the exhibit hall of unearthed wares and the workshop of traditional manufacture.

There are three rooms in the exhibition area. In the first exhibition room, many delicate chinaware treasures of past dynasties unearthed in Hangzhou are on display. While in the second room, one can study the history of China's ceramics as well as the social, political and economic base and development after the establishment of guan kilns in Southern Song Dynasty. And in the third one, visitors can see the fruits of research on the ancient porcelain of China and the products in imitation of the famous products of kilns made by modern technology.