Why Yixing? I always wanted to go there after buying Marty Chambers a teapot made from the clay in that region. When looking for a half marathon to run, I saw this, it was during spring break and I thought it would be a great stop on the way back from Japan.
After a full day traveling to the Tokyo Haneda Airport, flying to Shanghai Pudong, bus to the Hongqiao train station and a train to Yixing, China I arrived late at night to a beautiful hotel.This morning I walked 1 km to pick up my race packet then walked back through a waterfront park.
I found a great bakery for lunch. I did try to find better food, but I was very hungry. This is different than Guangzhou. Very few English menus and not many speak English. I know enough Chinese phrases but then do not know what they say back to me. However, I can get my point across and with the help of a translator app, it is okay.
The bracelet they give you for the race gets you into various places for free. Since I want to relax a little today, I only chose one and that is the pottery museum. I did some mall shopping too (I was actually looking for something to support my hamstring but found clothes and sushi instead).The museum was really interesting. I love pottery and fascinated by how the teapots are made.
The museum honors the master teacher who had apprenticed several dozen craftsmen over the years as well as pottery through Chinese history.Beautiful pieces are found throughout the area.
This is a Cong, an sacrificial vessel. Each symbol means something. Spirits to guard the 4 directions (dragon, suzaka, tiger, tortoise), clouds are for happiness, and waves for tranquility. 
The dragon is not painted, it is embossed clay.
Much of the old pottery was found where dragon kilns were excavated. Shards and complete pieces of pottery would be found near them. This is a mock up of what one looks like.
Pottery was also buried with people in grave pits. This was found from the Zhou tomb of the Jing Dynasty. It was used to celebrate bumper harvests of fruit and grain. It is called a soul bottle when used as a funeral object.
Each Dynasty had access to different clays, tools, and established new techniques.Ming Dynasty.
Qing Dynasty oil pot and mould for making impression designs.
Suri and Tang Dynasty
Han Dynasty
Late Neolithic age.
Warring States period.