A Day in Yingge: Pottery, History, and Hands-On Fun (鶯歌）
Yingge (鶯歌）, a small town in New Taipei City, is often referred to as Taiwan’s pottery capital.
Known for its rich history in ceramics, Yingge is the perfect destination to explore beautifully crafted pottery, learn about the art of ceramics, and enjoy a charming day trip from Taipei.
In this post, I’ll share how to get to Yingge, what to do once you’re there, the best spots to shop for pottery, and some tips to help you make the most of your visit.
A Brief Intro Of Yingge
Yingge became a ceramics hub in the early 19th century, thanks to its rich clay resources.
At first, local potters made everyday items like jars and bowls. By the mid-20th century, the town grew into a major center for Taiwan’s ceramics industry, producing both traditional and modern pieces.
In recent years, Yingge has transformed to attract more visitors. Yingge Ceramic Street was redesigned as a pedestrian-friendly area, with shops, cafes, and galleries that blend modern vibes with its old-town charm.
The Yingge Ceramics Museum was built to showcase the town’s pottery heritage and contemporary ceramic art. Many pottery studios now offer DIY workshops, letting visitors create their own ceramic pieces.
These changes have made Yingge more than just a pottery town—it’s now a lively destination for tourists and art lovers.
Getting To Yingge By Train
First, you will take the MRT (red line or blue line) to Taipei Main Station (R10 or BL12).
Head to the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) section. The Taipei Main Station is like a maze even to the locals! But as long as you follow the sign correctly you will be ok. Below is a picture of the logo (circled in red) you should be looking for:
Several types of trains stop at Yingge Station, with fares ranging from NT$31 to NT$47. The most affordable option is the local train (區間車), which runs every 10–15 minutes.
You can buy a ticket for the local train at the counter or vending machines, but if you have an EasyCard, you can head straight to the turnstile to tap and go.
Please keep in mind that, just like the MRT, seating on a local train isn’t guaranteed, and you might have to stand for part (or all) of the 30-minute ride.
If you want to catch a train with assigned seating, here is the link to TRA’s schedule and fare search page. You can purchase tickets in advance from any convenience store, or at the train station’s ticket counters/kiosks.
The route is primarily above ground, so you will be able to view Taiwan’s urban and suburban landscapes during the trip.
Once you arrive at Yingge Station, follow the signs or the flow of visitors to Ceramic Street and other attractions, which are just a 5–10-minute walk away.
3 Must-Do Activities In Yingge
The three things you must do when you’re in Yingge are exploring Pottery Street, visiting the Yingge Ceramics Museum, and trying your hand at a DIY pottery workshop.
These activities capture the essence of Yingge’s charm and its rich pottery heritage. I’ll go into more detail about each of them in the following sections.
Attend A Pottery Workshop
Along Yingge Pottery Street, there are various pottery workshops offering classes such as wheel throwing (手拉胚), hand-building, painting, and decal application.
These workshops cater to all skill levels, so whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, there’s something for everyone.
On a hot summer morning in 2023, my son and I joined my friend Carrie and her son Lucas (also my son’s best buddy) for a wheel-throwing pottery class at The Shu’s Pottery .
We booked this class in advance through their website (here is the link to their English site) and arrived on time. After putting on plastic aprons, a staff member came to our table to explain the process.
Once we had the basics down, we moved to the throwing wheels to try it ourselves. To be honest, it was much harder than we expected! None of us could get the clay centered without help, but the staff were incredibly patient and guided us through every step.
In the end, I managed to make a “bowl/cup,” while my son created a plate.
After that, we returned to our table to decorate our creations. Using sticks, we added texture and attached small pieces of clay for extra decoration.
When we finished, we turned in our “masterpieces” and selected the glaze colors we wanted for the final product. Since the firing process takes a few weeks, we chose the colors in advance, and they would handle the glazing for us.
We could choose to pick up our finished pieces in a couple of months or have them shipped to us. Since we’d already be back in the US by then, we had them shipped to my friend Carrie in Taipei.
Our finished products:
They’re keepsakes that remind us of the fun and laughter we shared during the workshop. Every time I see them, I’m taken back to that special day.
I highly recommend trying a pottery workshop when you visit Yingge. It’s a fun, hands-on activity that not only gives you a deeper appreciation of the town’s pottery heritage but also leaves you with a unique souvenir to remember your visit.
Yingge Ceramics Museum (鶯歌陶瓷博物館）
The Yingge Ceramics Museum (鶯歌陶瓷博物館) offers an engaging and immersive experience that’s perfect for learning about Taiwan’s rich pottery heritage. The signs and descriptions are bilingual so you can fully understand and appreciate the exhibits.
As you explore the museum, you’ll find exhibits showcasing traditional ceramic techniques, the history of pottery in Taiwan and Yingge, and even modern ceramics applications. Special exhibitions on the top floor add a fresh perspective, often featuring contemporary ceramic art.
Yingge Historic Ceramics Street (鶯歌陶瓷老街）
The street is about 200–300 meters long, but it’s more than just a single path. Several connecting alleys and side streets are filled with additional shops and studios, giving you plenty to explore.
As you explore the street, you’ll find an incredible variety of pottery shops showcasing everything from functional items like plates, bowls, and teapots to decorative vases and intricate figurines.
In addition, there are also lots of street foods:
Final Thoughts
Yingge is one of my favorite places to visit near Taipei. My experience at the pottery workshop with my son was both fun and memorable, and our finished pieces are keepsakes that remind me of that special day.
The workshops, the museum, and the historic ceramic street all offer a glimpse into Taiwan’s rich ceramics culture in a way that’s engaging and personal.
I hope this guide inspires you to visit Yingge and experience its charm for yourself.
