Porcelain House
Porcelain House, located in Tianjin’s Heping District, is a private art museum housed in a 1920s French-style villa. Transformed by collector Zhang Lianzhi between 2002–2007, the building’s façade and interiors are embedded with over 4,000 ancient porcelain pieces, 100+ stone statues, and 20+ Ming Dynasty vases. Designated a "National Cultural Relic Protection Unit" in 2005, it’s a fusion of Chinese ceramics and European architecture.
Historical Overview
- Construction: Built in 1921 as a private residence; purchased by Zhang Lianzhi in 2000.
- Transformation: A 7-year restoration project (2002–2007) covered the villa in porcelain shards, earning it the nickname "China’s Most Expensive House."
- Cultural Legacy: Zhang’s collection includes relics from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.
Structural Layout
The 4-story villa is divided into:
- Ground Floor: Ancient porcelain plates, vases, and Tang Dynasty tomb figures.
- Second Floor: Stone carvings, Buddhist statues, and Ming Dynasty furniture.
- Third Floor: Wood carvings, calligraphy, and Qing Dynasty ceramics.
- Roof: A 2-ton porcelain dragon sculpture and 500+ roof tiles.
Major Attractions
- Porcelain Walls: Over 3,000 porcelain pieces forming mosaics of dragons, phoenixes, and lotus flowers.
- Ming Dynasty Vases: A 1.8m-tall blue-and-white vase (1368–1644) at the entrance.
- Crystal Dragon Hall: A glass-enclosed room with a 12m-long porcelain dragon.
- Buddha Statue Garden: 50+ stone Buddha statues from the Tang to Qing dynasties.
- European Staircase: A marble staircase with porcelain inlays and stained-glass windows.
Suggested Itineraries
- Classic Tour (1–2 hours):
Entrance → Ground Floor porcelain exhibits → Second Floor stone carvings → Roof dragon sculpture.
Highlight: Photography of the porcelain-clad façade. - Cultural Deep Dive (3–4 hours):
Entrance → Guided tour of Ming/Qing ceramics → Third Floor wood carvings → Buddha Statue Garden.
Add-on: Tea ceremony at the on-site teahouse (¥30/person). - Comprehensive Experience (Full Day):
Morning: Porcelain House tour.
Afternoon: Visit nearby Five Avenue Historic District.
Evening: Dinner at a Tianjin cuisine restaurant (¥50–80/person).
Ticket Purchase
- Online: Book via Ctrip or the official WeChat account "Porcelain House" (up to 7 days in advance).
- On-Site: Tickets available at the entrance; limited availability during holidays.
- Prices:
- Peak Season (April–October): ¥50 (adults), ¥25 (students/seniors).
- Off-Season (November–March): ¥35 (adults), ¥17 (students/seniors).
- Free: Children under 1.2m.
Transportation
- By Subway: Line 3 to Heping Road Station (Exit B), walk 10 minutes.
- By Bus: Routes 1, 619, or 871 to Chifeng Road Stop.
- By Taxi: Direct to "Tianjin Porcelain House".
Best Time & Tips
- Peak Season: April–June (spring blooms) and September–October (autumn foliage).
- Avoid Crowds: Weekdays; arrive early (9:00 AM opening).
- Essentials:
- Bring a wide-angle lens for interior photography.
- Wear comfortable shoes (uneven floors).
- Respect artifacts: No touching exhibits.
What Our Clients Say?
Based on 10,000+ traveler reviews
Daniel Dorothea
Canada
Reviewed on April 29,2025
Shopping on Nanjing Road in Shanghai was just amazing! It's truly the "First Commercial Street of China", where tradition and modernity blend perfectly. You can find awesome souvenirs and experience the trendy vibes in cool stores. The neon lights at night are just spectacular, shining bright like Times Square in New York. The food here is incredible too. I had a feast for my taste buds. Shanghai, I'll definitely be back!
Destination(s):
Shanghai
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2024
Elvis Eva
Canada
Reviewed on June 20,2025
As a solo traveler from Canada, I was nervous about navigating China alone—but this 11-day tour was PERFECT! From hiking the Great Wall at sunrise (Day 3) to gasping at the Terracotta Army (Day 5), every day delivered ‘pinch-me’ moments. The real showstopper? Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains (Day 7)! Our guide made the stone pillars come alive with stories.
Massive thanks for handling all logistics—bullet train tickets, entry passes, car! And the 4-star hotels surprised me.
Destination(s):
Beijing Xian Zhangjiajie Shanghai
Date of
Experience:
June 02,2025
Simon
America
Reviewed on May 29,2025
Our 2-day Zhangjiajie tour was beyond spectacular! As someone who’s visited Beijing and Shanghai for work, this trip revealed China’s wild, magical heart. Day 1 in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park felt like stepping onto Pandora—I’m a huge Avatar fan, and Yuanjiajie’s floating peaks left me breathless. The misty pillars and lush valleys like pure movie magic!
Then came Fenghuang Ancient Town, we eat dinner beside the thundering waterfall. It seems Unreal! The night views of stilt houses glowing over the river were straight from a fairy tale.
For fellow Avatar lovers and adventure seekers: Don’t miss this bucket-list experience! 10/10 would return.
A Well-Traveled Film Buff, May 2025
Destination(s):
Zhangjiajie
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2025
