Sites of Cizao Kilns (Jinjiaoyi Hill Kilns)

Sites of Cizao Kilns (Jinjiaoyi Hill Kilns)
磁灶窑址（金交椅山窑址）

The history of Cizao kilns can be traced back to over 1,500 years ago. More than two dozen kiln sites, dating between the 6th and the early 20th century, have been discovered on the hills of the Meixi River banks in Cizao county of Quanzhou. The river that flows into Quanzhou Bay was the main route for transporting the kiln products. During the Song and Yuan dynasties, Cizao wares were exported to Japan and Southeastern Asian countries.

These sites are outstanding examples of the export-porcelain kiln sites that dotted the outskirts of Quanzhou in the Song-Yuan era. They demonstrate the prominence of craft production for export in the industrial structure of Quanzhou as the emporium of the world in Song-Yuan China. The system and scale of production seen in these kilns stand as a testament to Quanzhou's remarkable capacity for production and overseas trade.