Chenlu Ancient Town

Photo of Chenlu Ancient Town: how to get to Chenlu Ancient Town

Photo of Chenlu Ancient Town: Chenlu ceramic culture

Address Chenlu Town, Yintai District, Tongchuan, Shaanxi

Hours Town streets: all day; Workshops and museums: 09:00–18:00

Phone +86 919 7481111

Announcement: Pottery Capital of the East

Entrance ¥0

Hours Town streets: all...

Best Season April–October for pleasant walking weather

Time needed 3–5 hours

Last visit: May 22, 2026

Author: Peng Gao

Reviewer: Lijuan Zhao

Chenlu Ancient Town Travel Guide

Chenlu Ancient Town: An Insider's Guide to China's Living Kiln Town

Jian Zhao 2026-05-25 Verified

Is Chenlu the most authentic ancient town in China? This insider's guide reveals the secrets of the 'living kiln town', with practical tips on transportation, must-see sites, ceramic workshops, and where to find the best local food. Plan your perfect trip beyond the tourist crowds.

Read story

Chenlu Ancient Town Overview

A legendary 'living fossil' of ceramic history, this hillside town is renowned for its 1,400-year continuous kiln fires and unique architecture where houses and walls are built from discarded ceramic shards and jars.

Chenlu Ancient Town Opening Hours & Tickets

Town streets: all day; Workshops and museums: 09:00–18:00
Best season: April–October for pleasant walking weather
Ticket note: General entry to the town is free; specific heritage museums or pottery-making e...

Essential Chenlu Ancient Town Visitor Information

Enquiries: +86 919 7481111
Pottery DIY workshops
Boutique homestays
Small visitor center
Outdoor parking (town entrance)
Traditional tea houses

How to Get to Chenlu Ancient Town

Buses from Tongchuan city center (Yintai District) to Chenlu; private car rental is the most efficient way to navigate the mountain roads.

Chenlu Ancient Town Travel Safety & Advice

Small clinic located in the town square; Dial 120 for serious medical emergencies.

Practical Info

Chenlu Town, Yintai District, Tongchuan, Shaanxi
Town streets: all day; Workshops and museums: 09:00–18:00
+86 919 7481111

Peng Gao

Certified Senior Tour Guide

Peng Gao, an Urumqi-based Certified Senior Tour Guide, specializes in Northwest China itineraries covering the Gurbantünggüt Desert expedition, Urumqi bazaar and lamb feast crawl, and Heavenly Lake of Tianshan.

We keep this guide current.

Ratings

☆☆☆☆☆ — (0 reviews)

On-site notes & editorial review

Tickets

General entry to the town is free; specific heritage museums or pottery-making e...

Online booking may be required

Tips

The best photography occurs in the late afternoon when sunlight illuminates the 'Can-Can' walls made of stacked ceramic jars.

Reality Check

Steep and uneven stone paths throughout the village
Active pottery workshops may result in dust and smoke
Local dialect is strong and English assistance is rare

Where to Stay Near Chenlu Ancient Town View all

No related articles to display.

Top Attractions Near Chenlu Ancient Town

Historical, Cultural, Summer retreat

Yuhua Palace Ruins

A summer palace for Tang Dynasty emperors, and the place where the monk Xuanzang...

Tongchuan 2026-05-22

Popular / Cultural / Pilgrimage

Yaowang Mountain

The place where Sun Simiao, a Tang Dynasty physician, spent his later years. The...

Tongchuan 2026-05-22

Red Landmark & Danxia Peaks

Zhaojin-Xiangshan Scenic Area

A destination combining the 'Red Tourism' history of the Zhaojin Revolution with...

Tongchuan 2026-05-22

No. 1 Mausoleum under Heaven

Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor

The tomb of Xuanyuan, the Yellow Emperor, the ancestor of the Chinese nation. An...

Yan'an 2026-05-22

World Heritage Site

Terracotta Warriors

Known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, thousands of life-sized terracotta warr...

Xi'an 2026-05-22

Imperial Garden & Hot Springs

Huaqing Palace

A refined Tang-style imperial garden complex located at the northern foot of Mou...

Xi'an 2026-05-22

Scenic Forest Park

Shaohua Mountain

Known as the 'Sister Mountain' of Mount Hua, Shaohua offers stunning granite pea...

Weinan 2026-05-22

City Heart

Xi'an Bell Tower

The geographical center of Xi'an, this iconic Ming Dynasty structure marks the i...

Xi'an 2026-05-22

Recent Reviews

— ☆☆☆☆☆ (0)

No reviews yet. Be the first to share.

View all reviews

Leave a Review

Chenlu Ancient Town Travel FAQ

What's the one thing most visitors miss in Chenlu?

The backside of the hill, opposite the main viewing platform. Fewer people go there. You'll find more "jar wall" houses in a state of gentle decay, quieter workshops, and incredible views looking back at the main town cluster. It feels even more untouched.

Can I buy genuine, usable pottery here, or is it all decorative?

You absolutely can buy functional ware. The black-glazed rice bowls and tea cups are meant for daily use. A key test: ask if you can pour hot water into it. The good, properly fired pieces will be fine. The cheaper, tourist-grade ones might crack or leak glaze. A workshop owner taught me to tap it lightly—a clear, ringing sound is better than a dull thud.

Is Chenlu Ancient Town suitable for families with young kids?

It depends. There are no playgrounds or stroller-friendly paths. The alleyways have uneven steps and steep sections. However, kids fascinated by "making stuff" will love seeing the potters at work and maybe trying a mini wheel. For toddlers, it could be challenging. For school-age children, it's a unique, educational experience far from typical theme parks.

How do I communicate if I don't speak Chinese?

You'll manage with gestures, a translation app, and smiles. In workshops, pointing and mimicking work wonders. For critical things like hiring a car or ordering food, have your hotel concierge in Xi'an or Tongchuan write down key phrases in Chinese characters on a card for you (e.g., "Chenlu Ancient Town, round trip, wait for me"). It's part of the adventure.

Is the drive to Chenlu Ancient Town safe for a nervous driver?

The road is paved and in good condition, but it's a continuous series of winding uphill curves with some steep drop-offs. There are guardrails. If you're a confident driver who doesn't mind mountain roads, you'll be fine—just go slow. If the thought makes you anxious, hire a local driver from Tongchuan. They know every turn.