30-second overview: Yingge Ceramics Old Street, a seemingly rustic red-brick thoroughfare, has only existed in its current tourist configuration for approximately thirty years, yet it carries over two centuries of Taiwan's ceramic industry essence. From Wu An's kiln establishment in the Qing dynasty, through Japanese colonial modernization and post-war export glory, to the 1990s facing industrial relocation and environmental challenges, the town's evolution has been profound. The 2000 establishment of the Ceramics Museum and the pedestrianization of the old street opened a new chapter in cultural tourism. With the opening of the New Taipei Museum of Art in 2025 and the San-Ying MRT Line in 2026, Yingge is welcoming a new development phase. A new generation of ceramic artisans is actively exploring a sustainable path for industry and tourism co-prosperity through events like "Open Factory Days."
Yingge Ceramics Old Street, a thoroughfare characterized by vintage red brick and stone paving, has only existed in its current "old street" configuration for less than three decades. Prior to the 1990s, it was not a bustling tourist corridor but an industrial district shrouded in smoke, crisscrossed by freight trucks. In those days, each chimney in Yingge symbolized a family's prosperity, and every kiln-fired porcelain piece was packed into shipping containers for global distribution. Yet the transformation of this "Jingdezhen of Taiwan" has been far more complex and profound than its surface appearance suggests.
Two Centuries of Kiln Fire: From Wu An to Export Miracles
The history of Yingge ceramics dates back to 1804 (the ninth year of the Jiaqing reign in the Qing dynasty), when Wu An (also recorded as Wu Anzhi) crossed the strait from Quanzhou, Fujian. He discovered the rich clay deposits in the Jianshan area (present-day Jianshanpu Road vicinity) and established kilns to produce pottery, marking the beginning of Yingge's ceramic legacy. Early production focused on daily coarse pottery, such as water vats and storage jars. During the Japanese colonial period, authorities systematically promoted the ceramic industry in Taiwan, establishing the "Jianshan Pottery Association" in Yingge and introducing modernized production techniques, which broke the traditional family-run operational model.
After World War II, trade with China and Japan was severed, prompting Yingge ceramics to supply the massive domestic demand. In the 1960s, the introduction of natural gas significantly improved product quality. Riding the wave of the construction industry's boom, the town prospered and entered a golden age of exports. Between the 1980s and 1990s, Yingge's factory count peaked at 1,300, with chimneys dotting the landscape, earning it the title "Jingdezhen of Taiwan." At the time, Yingge residents joked that "printing tiles was like printing banknotes." To maximize output, manufacturers continuously invested in the latest tunnel and gas kilns. However, this high-density industrial landscape blanketed Yingge's sky in soot, leaving older generations with a shared memory of "waking up with black nostrils every day."
2000 Transformation: From Industrial Hub to Cultural Tourism
By the late 1990s, the globalization wave, competition from low-priced Chinese products, rising production costs, and increasingly stringent environmental regulations delivered a severe blow to Yingge's ceramic industry. Many kilns closed or relocated because they could not afford multi-million-dollar smoke filtration equipment, pushing Yingge toward the crisis of industrial hollowing out.
To reverse the downturn, Yingge initiated a large-scale tourism transformation. The year 2000 proved pivotal: the New Taipei Municipal Yingge Ceramics Museum officially opened, and Jianshanpu Road was converted into a pedestrian-only zone, becoming the "Ceramics Old Street" known today. This transformation redefined ceramics from "industrial products" to "cultural materials." The old street introduced red-brick architecture, stone paving, and timekeeping chimneys to cultivate a nostalgic atmosphere. However, rapid commercialization also triggered "night market" side effects. Outside merchants flooded in, and some cheap imported porcelain replaced local works, causing the old street to temporarily lose its distinct identity. Media reports of declining holiday crowds even sparked concerns about the "decline of the old street."
2026 New Era: MRT, Art Museum, and Open Factory Days
San-Ying MRT Line Opens: Transportation Innovation Drives Foot Traffic
The New Taipei MRT San-Ying Line officially opened on June 30, 2026, offering a two-month free trial period. This line connects Tucheng, Sanchia, and Yingge. Travelers from Taipei city can take the Bannan Line to Dingpu Station, transfer, and reach Yingge Ceramics Old Street in as little as 20 minutes. The LB09 Ceramics Old Street Station is just a two-minute walk from the old street, while LB08 Yingge Station allows transfers to the Taiwan Railways network, significantly enhancing Yingge's accessibility and tourist convenience. Local businesses are broadly optimistic that the MRT will bring steady foot traffic, helping to extend visitor stay times and boost sales in dining, souvenirs, and ceramic experiences, shifting tourism from brief stops to in-depth experiences.
New Taipei Museum of Art Opens: A New Artistic Landmark
In April 2025, the New Taipei Museum of Art (NTCAM) officially opened, situated at the San-Ying New Land where the Yingge Creek and Dahan River converge. Designed by renowned architect Yao Jen-hsi, the building embodies the concept of a "modern art museum nestled in a reed marsh," establishing itself as a new artistic landmark for the Greater Taipei area. The museum integrates exhibitions, light shows, and a children's art space, and forms the "San-Ying Art Corridor" alongside the Yingge Ceramics Museum and the Ceramics Old Street to jointly advance regional cultural development. Although initially labeled a "white elephant" due to low early attendance, its potential is gradually being realized with the MRT's opening.
Open Factory Days: A Gentle Revolution by the Next Generation
Confronting the mediocrity of commercialization and the challenges of an aging industry with difficult succession, Yingge's next generation of inheritors has begun to awaken. In 2019, the Taiwan Design Institute launched the "T22 Design Revitalizing Local Industries Plan," matching designers with traditional kilns to inject new vitality into products. In 2023, the younger generation from local ceramic families—'Xinwang Ji Ci,' 'Taihua Kiln,' and 'Anda Kiln'—jointly formed the "Tao Ci Wa Dai Dai Cooperation Association" and launched the "Yingge Open Factory Day" event. Modeled after Japan's "Tsubame-Sanjo Factory Festival," this initiative broke the traditional ceramic industry rule of "competitors barred from entry," actively inviting tourists into factory interiors to witness the pottery-making process firsthand. It also hosted the "Yingge Table Banquet," pairing Yingge ware tableware with local cuisine to offer the public a deep dive into the region's craft culture.
Curator's Note: The value of Yingge Old Street lies not in its仿古 (antique-style) red-brick facades, but in the kilns still operating behind them. When we cease viewing ceramics merely as commodities and instead recognize them as a living history, this town will truly regain its warmth.
Experiencing Yingge: Attractions, Cuisine, and Events
Yingge Ceramics Old Street centers on Jianshanpu Road, extending to Chongqing Street, Ceramics Street, and Yuying Street. Wandering through the area, visitors will find not only a dazzling array of ceramic shops but also several historical landmarks:
- Si Jiao Yao Old Chimney: A symbol of the past industrial boom, several old chimneys have been preserved as unique streetscapes, such as Renhe Kiln's "Last Large Chimney of the Old Street."
- Dang Zai Yao Shopping Street: Transformed from a former electromagnetic pottery factory, it clusters craft shops, cafés, and pottery studios. A timekeeping chimney stands outside, marking the hours.
- Hsu Hsin-Wang Ceramics Memorial Museum: Founded by a local pottery-making family, it fully preserves early production tools and kiln equipment, while offering DIY courses in hand-molding, wheel-throwing, and ceramic painting.
Ceramics Museum and Art Halls
The New Taipei Municipal Yingge Ceramics Museum is Taiwan's first professional museum dedicated to ceramics. Its fair-faced concrete main building, combined with a large glass curtain wall, offers an open spatial feel. Permanent exhibitions such as "Looking Back at Where We Came From" and "Dang Zhen Town" provide accessible introductions to Taiwan's ceramic culture and Yingge's industrial development. The museum regularly hosts international special exhibitions, including the 2026 "Taiwan International Biennale of Contemporary Ceramic Art," attracting ceramic enthusiasts worldwide. The outdoor park features a wading pool and sandbox, ideal for family outings.
The New Taipei Museum of Art offers a feast of contemporary art, with its distinctive reed-inspired architecture standing as a work of art in itself. The facility features expansive exhibition spaces and a children's art base, while its outdoor park integrates landscape art, making it an excellent destination for experiencing modern artistic charm.
Ceramic Experiences and Signature Cuisine
Visiting Yingge is incomplete without experiencing hands-on pottery. Many shops along the old street offer wheel-throwing and ceramic painting courses, with walk-in registration available. Additionally, Yingge has gathered a variety of signature local cuisine:
- Apo Sushi: A 24-hour institution operating for over 50 years, famous for affordable Taiwanese-style sushi and oden.
- Yung Bo's 'Trash Noodles' (Ji La Mian): A rich pork bone broth base with generous toppings, a beloved late-night comfort food.
- Grandma's Tofu Pudding (A Ma's Douhua): A vintage dessert in the mid-section of the old street, attracting visitors with its dense tofu pudding and caramelized sugar syrup.
- Hou Dao Restaurant: Recreates the retro candy-store aesthetic of the 1950s and 1960s, serving generous portions of signature pork chop and chicken leg rice.
Annual Events and International Exchange
Yingge hosts multiple cultural events annually, showcasing its vitality:
- Yingge Carnival: Held every autumn, the 2025 edition featured the theme "Small Town Treasure Hunt: Old Street Opens Its Warehouses," linking old street shops with pottery activities and drawing massive crowds.
- Open Factory Days: Hosted by the Tao Ci Wa Dai Dai Cooperation Association, this event invites the public into kiln factories to experience craft culture. Through innovative models like the "Local Cuisine × Tableware Matching Plan," it connects local industry with the dining sector.
- International Exchange: Yingge actively engages with global ceramic hubs, such as Japan's Kasama Koenmatsuri, fostering dialogue and promoting Taiwan's ceramic arts on the international stage.
Challenges and Prospects: Finding Balance Between Tradition and Innovation
Despite significant achievements in tourism transformation, Yingge still faces multiple challenges. Concerns regarding the "night market" atmosphere and the erosion of local characteristics persist. Striking a balance between commercialization and preserving indigenous cultural roots remains a critical task. Furthermore, the aging ceramic industry, succession pressures, and environmental issues left by old industrial sites test Yingge's resolve toward sustainable development.
Nevertheless, with the opening of the San-Ying MRT Line, the inauguration of the New Taipei Museum of Art, and the active involvement of the next generation through the Tao Ci Wa Dai Dai Cooperation Association, Yingge is demonstrating remarkable resilience. By not only inheriting traditional craftsmanship but also embracing cross-disciplinary collaboration and open-factory initiatives, they aim to transform Yingge into a "living museum." This two-century-old ceramic capital is forging its own future path between tradition and innovation.
Transportation and Practical Information
- MRT: Take the New Taipei MRT San-Ying Line to LB09 Ceramics Old Street Station (2-minute walk) or LB08 Yingge Station (transfer to Taiwan Railways).
- Train: Take the Taiwan Railways to Yingge Station. From the exit, transfer to the MRT or walk approximately 15–20 minutes to the old street.
- Car: Exit National Highway 3 at the Yingge Interchange. Multiple paid parking lots are available around the old street.
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays see fewer crowds and are ideal for in-depth experiences; weekends are bustling and offer a vibrant market atmosphere. It is recommended to avoid the noon hours, when visitor traffic peaks.