The origins of Chinese pottery and porcelain go way back in history. The Chinese were quite masterful in their skills and they were also famous for producing "nearly translucent eggshell china". This type of china was very famous and during the Ming and Ch'ing period, these pieces were decorated with flowers, grasses, birds, and beasts.

Four factors that helped influence the developments of Chinese ceramics and pottery were clay, fuel, river systems, and markets. In order to produce pottery and porcelain, heavy and clay and large amounts of fuel were needed.

Once a large kiln has been established, it often continues to produce for hundreds of years. The arts of preparing clay, glazing, and firing are often passed down from generation to generation; therefore, each area will tend to develop its own individual glazes, clays, and decorating techniques, resulting in unique styles and designs. Because of this, one can usually tell where and when a certain piece was made -- and this is all due to a kiln. The most suitable clay for pottery and porcelain making is produced in the Peitou and Nanshiichiso areas of Taipei

Beginning in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, pottery and porcelain kilns gradually became condensed in the Yingke Chen area of Taipei County. Today, Yingke Chen is the main ceramic-producing area of northern Taiwan. Due to the accumulation of ceramic-making experience over the years, and the ceramic masters residing in Yingke Chen who have received their craft from previous generations, modern kiln facilities continue to come to Yingke Chen to set up shop. The pottery and porcelain producing centers of central Taiwan are in Miaoli and Nantou counties.

Because of the Chinese's determination for excellence, that is probably one of the most important keys to why their creations are of such a high level. Their history is a way to know how the Chinese were able to use with such limited resources they had. Also due to their low quality material, the Chinese were able to develop a way to "grind the raw material to an extremely fine consistency, and then soaking it in water for several years". This caused the clay to have more plasticity, which allowed the potter to do more things with the clay when on the wheel. When their clay is half-dry, they would take a special knife and use it to shave the pot until it is extremely thin and that is how the Chinese were famous for the "Eggshell" porcelain which is the product of the official kins of the Ming and Ch'ing dynasties.

The Chinese technique for producing such a unique artistic style cannot even be replicated with state-of-the-art machinery. Therefore as the years go by, we should all at least remember the ancient ways of the Chinese.