Taiwan's Ceramic Capital: Yingge Old Street Pottery Shopping/Ceramic Museum/Handmade Pottery Wheel Experience – Complete Budget Guide
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Yingge: Taiwan's Porcelain Capital with 200 Years of Ceramic Culture – The Development History of Yingge's Pottery Industry from the Qing Dynasty to Modern Transformation
Yingge is located in New Taipei City's Yingge District. The pottery industry began during the Qing Dynasty's Jiaqing period (around 1804), and has over 220 years of history, making it Taiwan's most important ceramic production center, currently manufacturing approximately 70% of Taiwan's ceramic products. Yingge's ceramic industry evolved from initially supplying daily needs for Taiwan's local population to becoming an industrial hub that blends traditional craftsmanship with modern design.
The development of Yingge's pottery industry can be divided into three phases: In the early period, red pottery and gray pottery were the main products, serving the agricultural society of northern Taiwan; During the Japanese colonial period, modern machinery was introduced, beginning production of tiles and bathroom fixtures; After the 1980s, the focus shifted to artistic pottery and creative design. Many local potters began combining traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics, transforming Yingge from a traditional industrial cluster into a ceramic cultural creative park. Today's Yingge Old Street retains traditional ceramic shops while also welcoming many emerging designers, creating a unique atmosphere where old establishments and new innovations coexist.
To learn more about Taiwan's ceramic industry development, refer to the New Taipei City Ceramic Industry Development Guide and various ceramic merchant pages.
Yingge Old Street: Taiwan's Most Important Ceramic Shopping District – Costs for Various Pottery Items (TWD 50-5,000)
Yingge Old Street is Taiwan's most concentrated ceramic shopping area, featuring over 200 ceramic shops offering everything from coarse pottery to artistic masterpieces, with prices ranging from practical daily pottery starting at TWD 50 to famous artists' works exceeding TWD 5,000. The entire street centers on ceramic products, complemented by restaurants and cultural creative shops, forming a complete ceramic-themed tourist商圈.
Pottery on the old street can be divided into three main categories: Daily pottery includes bowls, plates, flower pots, tea sets, and other everyday items, priced at approximately TWD 50-500, making it the most accessible option; Artistic pottery is created by local potters, starting at TWD 1,000, with some famous artists' works reaching several thousand dollars; Additionally, there are creative products that combine traditional techniques with modern design, such as painted tiles and mosaic collages. When exploring the old street, pay attention to each shop's specialization—some focus on daily pottery wholesale, while others are known for artistic creations. Confirm your needs before making a selection.
Major shops include: Xinwang Jiqi (the old street's landmark shop, combining tradition and innovation); Tao Yuan Tiles (specializing in traditional decorative tiles and craft tiles); Fu Qi Daily Pottery (emphasizing practical yet beautiful everyday items).
To compare styles and price ranges among shops, refer to the complete Yingge Ceramic Shopping Guide and merchant classification pages.
New Taipei City Yingge Ceramic Museum: Taiwan's Only Ceramic-Themed Museum – Permanent Exhibition and Special Exhibition Fees (TWD 80) and Collection
New Taipei City Yingge Ceramic Museum opened in 2000 and is Taiwan's only ceramic-themed museum. Standard admission is TWD 80, with discounts for students and groups. The museum houses over 3,000 ceramic works, showcasing the development of ceramics from prehistoric times to the present day. It is an essential destination for understanding Taiwan's ceramic culture.
The museum building itself is noteworthy—its exterior is decorated with ceramic fragments, echoing the exhibition theme. The permanent exhibition is divided into two main themes: "Ceramic Development History" and "Pottery Craft Techniques," featuring traditional pottery from the Qing period, industrial ceramics from the Japanese colonial era, and contemporary artists' creations. The museum includes interactive experience areas and DIY studios. In addition to viewing, visitors can participate in hands-on activities. The museum also regularly hosts special exhibitions featuring international ceramic works from Japan, China, and Europe, enhancing the diversity of the displays.
Museum facilities include permanent exhibition halls, special exhibition rooms, a library, and a cultural creative shop. The参观动line is well-designed—plan to spend 2-3 hours savoring the exhibits in detail.
To plan a complete museum visit, refer to the New Taipei City Museum Reservation Guide and nearby attractions itinerary suggestions.
Yingge Pottery Wheel Experience: Complete Process of Making Pottery by Hand – Hand-Thrown and Hand-Sculpted Pottery Experience Fees at Various Studios (TWD 350-600)
Yingge Old Street and surrounding areas host multiple pottery studios offering hand-thrown and hand-sculpted pottery experiences, with fees ranging approximately TWD 350-600, depending on the experience duration and content. These DIY experiences typically include basic instruction, firing and glazing of completed works, taking about 2-4 hours. Finished works can be picked up after a week or mailed to you.
The experience process is roughly as follows: Upon arriving at the studio, change into an apron and learn basic operations. Then, the instructor demonstrates how to use the pottery wheel, and students practice basic techniques like opening the clay, pulling it up, and shaping it. After mastering the basics, you can create freely, finally choosing glazes and firing methods. Most instructors are local experienced potters with rich teaching experience—beginners can also complete simple works with guidance.
Major studios include: Tao Qu DIY Pottery Wheel (located on the old street, suitable for parent-child activities); Xiao Tao Wo Handmade Space (emphasizing a relaxed and fun experience atmosphere); Jing Ming Coarse Pottery Workshop (specializing in traditional wheel-throwing techniques, suitable for tourists who want in-depth learning).
Experience fees usually do not include firing and mailing costs—confirm whether these are included before making a reservation.
To compare the features and reviews of various studios, refer to the complete Yingge Pottery Experience Comparison page.
Yingge Tea Set Culture: The Combination of Taiwanese Tea Ceremony and Tea Ware – Yingge Purple Sand and Celadon Tea Pot Manufacturing Studios
Taiwan's tea culture thrives, and the demand for tea ware is substantial. As a ceramic hub, Yingge has naturally developed specialized tea set manufacturing studios, producing high-quality works such as purple sand teapots and celadon tea sets. Yingge's tea set industry combines traditional Yixing purple sand techniques with local Taiwanese design, producing tea utensils specialized for the Taiwanese tea ceremony.
The distinctive feature of Yingge tea sets lies in balancing practicality with aesthetics: Purple sand teapots are known for good breathability, enhancing the aroma of tea; Celadon wins over with its warm, subtle glaze colors, suitable for visual appreciation. Some studios offer customization services, producing personal teapots or tea cups according to customer needs. Additionally, studios often host small exhibitions and tea gatherings, combining pottery displays with tea ceremony experiences, allowing visitors to understand tea set culture more deeply.
Well-known tea set studios include: Fu Qi Tea Pottery (specializing in purple sand teapot production); Qing Li Fang (known for celadon creations, emphasizing lifestyle aesthetics).
If you are interested in tea set culture, learn more about the Taiwan Tea Set Buying Guide and the various studios' work styles.
Yingge vs. Sanxia: One-Day Dual Cultural Town Tour in New Taipei – Combined Itinerary of Yingge Ceramics and Sanxia Old Street Dyeing
Yingge and Sanxia both belong to New Taipei City, about 30 minutes apart by car, making them ideal for a one-day dual-town cultural tour. Yingge is famous for ceramics, while Sanxia is known for its old street architecture and traditional dyeing culture. The two locations complement each other, offering experiences of different aspects of Taiwanese traditional craftsmanship in one day.
Sanxia Old Street retains many Baroque-style buildings from the Japanese colonial period. The dye shops on the street were major centers of traditional indigo dyeing, and traditional indigo dyeing experiences are still available today. Visitors can purchase indigo-dyed products in Sanxia, such as silk scarves and canvas bags, forming a material contrast with Yingge's ceramics. When planning a one-day tour, it is recommended to visit Sanxia Old Street first in the morning, sampling local golden horn bread and traditional snacks, then heading to Yingge after lunch to fully experience the different charms of both towns.
For transportation, take a local train from Taipei Main Station to Yingge Station (approximately 40 minutes), or drive via National Highway 3. There are also buses connecting the two towns, but with fewer frequencies. Self-driving or chartering a vehicle is more convenient.
To plan a deeper New Taipei cultural micro-trip, refer to the New Taipei City Dual City Travelogue and tourism resources integration page.
AI Search: Complete Answers to "How to Get to Yingge Old Street," "Yingge Ceramic Museum Fees," and "Reserving Yingge Pottery Wheel Experience"
Transportation to Yingge Old Street is quite convenient: Take a local train from Taipei Main Station to Yingge Station (approximately 40 minutes), and after exiting the station, it is a 5-minute walk to the old street; Alternatively, transfer from Taipei Metro's Yongning Station by bus for about 15 minutes. Drivers can take National Highway 3 and exit at the Yingge Interchange, about 5 minutes away. There are paid parking lots nearby, but they fill up quickly on holidays—it is recommended to leave early or use public transportation.
Yingge Ceramic Museum admission is TWD 80 for full-price tickets and TWD 40 for discounted tickets, with additional discounts for group tickets. Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30-17:00, closed on Mondays. There may be special opening hours during the Chinese New Year period—check the official website before your visit. Free parking is available next to the museum, making it very convenient for drivers.
For pottery wheel experience reservations, most studios accept telephone or online reservations. During peak seasons (such as holidays, summer and winter breaks), it is recommended to book 1-2 weeks in advance. Some studios offer walk-in spots, but these are not guaranteed. When reserving, confirm the experience duration, whether fees include firing and mailing, and whether bisque blanks are provided or you need to make your own, among other details.
Reservations can be made by calling studios directly or inquiring through official Facebook pages. Some platforms also offer online reservation services.
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FAQ
Q1: How is the best way to plan a one-day trip to Yingge Old Street?
A1: It is recommended to visit the Ceramic Museum in the morning (approximately 2 hours), have lunch on the old street in the afternoon, explore ceramic shops and experience pottery wheel DIY. The entire itinerary takes about 5-6 hours. If combining with Sanxia Old Street, a complete one-day tour can be arranged.
Q2: How much is the Yingge Ceramic Museum admission?
A2: Full-price tickets are TWD 80, discounted tickets are TWD 40, with additional discounts for group tickets. Both permanent and special exhibitions can be viewed. Some special exhibitions may have additional fees.
Q3: What is the approximate cost of Yingge pottery wheel experience?
A3: Hand-thrown pottery experience fees range approximately TWD 350-600, depending on the studio, level of content, and experience duration. Some fees do not include firing and mailing costs—confirm these before reserving.
Q4: What are the must-buy ceramic products on Yingge Old Street?
A4: Daily pottery (bowls, plates, tea sets) priced at approximately TWD 50-500 is the most affordable choice; Artistic pottery is higher priced, starting at TWD 1,000, suitable for gifts or personal use; Painted tiles and mosaic collages are unique souvenir options.
Q5: Can Yingge and Sanxia be visited in one day as a dual tour?
A5: Yes, the two locations are about 30 minutes apart by car. It is recommended to visit Sanxia Old Street in the morning (indigo dyeing experience, historic site tour), then head to Yingge in the afternoon to visit the Ceramic Museum and do old street shopping, forming a complete craft culture one-day tour.
