The Porcelain House, also known as “China House”, is a private museum in Tianjin. The building was built 100 years ago and made in the French style. In 2002, the porcelain collector Zhang Lianzhi spent 1 million RMB (about 125,000 USD) buying the house. Then in the following four years, he devoted most of his time to refurnish it with thousands of porcelain pieces dating from Tang (AD618-907) to Qing (AD1644-1911) dynasties. Based on the understanding of antique porcelain and traditional Chinese culture, Zhang Lianzhi mixed up fragments from different pieces.
Why the Tianjin Porcelain House is special
If you like Watts Towers in Los Angeles, then you will like the Porcelain House in Tianjin. This house is so different from anything else that it should be on everyone's list who visits Tianjin. It is calculated that more than 4,000 pieces of ancient porcelain, 400 pieces of jade stone carving, 20 tons of crystal and agate and million pieces of ancient Chinese ceramic chips were used, costing approximately over 2 billion RMB. About 80 percent of the porcelain used in the house is broken or damaged antiques. But the flaw of these pieces had been carefully concealed when being pasted on the wall. In such way the damaged porcelain is given a new life.
Tianjin Porcelain House highlights
Elements of Chinese culture can be seen from every corner of the house. Four dragons (one of the dominant auspicious features in ancient Chinese architecture) entwine the exterior wall of the building, symbolizing the prosperous of ancient China. On the exterior, the house is decorated by unbroken vases and porcelain pieces. The interior of the house is covered by porcelain mosaics. There are sometimes temporary exhibitions displaying plenty of old furniture and antiques. There are 3 floors that you can visit. The second floor has some stylish balconies while a nice chandelier can be seen on the top floor.
Travel Tips:
Address: No.72 Chifeng Street, Heping District, Tianjin
Opening hours: daily from 9:00 to 17:00.
Admission fee: 35 CNY