This is Dehua, the World Porcelain City—a millennium-old county whose story is written not only in history books, but also in the luminous white porcelain that has travelled across the world.

Dehua is celebrated as the “Mother of the World’s White Porcelain.” Its porcelain is renowned for a whiteness and translucency reminiscent of jade, ivory and silk. Smooth, warm and almost luminous, Dehua white porcelain has been praised as “Ivory White” and “Chinese White.” Looking at a finely crafted piece, one can understand why generations of artists have pursued this extraordinary combination of purity, delicacy and strength. But Dehua is much more than porcelain.

Surrounded by mountains, forests and rivers, the county is a remarkable ecological treasure. The Daiyun Mountains, rising to 1,856 metres, are known as the “roof of central Fujian.” Forests cover more than 79 percent of the county, while the region serves as an important source of water for both the Minjiang and Jinjiang rivers. With its cool climate, clean air, rich biodiversity and spectacular natural landscapes, Dehua feels like a place where nature and human creativity have grown together. Yet it is inside the workshops and studios that the spirit of Dehua becomes most vivid.

Dehua porcelain sculpture is a remarkable chapter in the history of Chinese art. Its tradition stretches back centuries, with the works of the Ming Dynasty master He Chaozong achieving particular fame for their graceful forms and expressive beauty. Today, artists continue to preserve traditional techniques while embracing technology, contemporary design and new artistic ideas. The result is a living heritage—one that respects the past without being trapped by it.

During the ASEAN Media Workshop in China through Fujian, held from September 14–29, 2026, the journey to Dehua offered more than a glimpse of a famous porcelain centre. It offered an opportunity to see how culture, nature and craftsmanship can become one story.

What touched me most was the feeling of discovering something ancient that is still alive. A piece of white porcelain may appear delicate, even fragile, yet behind its smooth surface are mountains, minerals, fire, patience and generations of human hands.

That is perhaps the true magic of Dehua. Here, the whiteness of porcelain is not simply a colour. It is a reflection of a place—pure, enduring and quietly beautiful.

KPL