Yue ware celadon on display./展出中的越窑青瓷。 [Photo by Tang Yan]/唐严摄

　　By Gou Wen

　　Ningbo, historically known as Mingzhou during the Tang and Song Dynasties, developed and thrived leveraging its coastal geographic location. Not only did Ningbo see rapid growth in external trade, but it also produced many celadon porcelains, which are world-famous because of their color and texture, known as Yue ware and adored for their "deep-forest crystal green" and "ice or jade-like appearance".

　　唐宋时期，宁波(明州)依海而生、向海而兴。宁波不仅在对外经济发展上空前鼎盛，此地出产的越窑青瓷还以“千峰翠色”“类冰类玉”闻名于世。

　　The Yue ware celadon produced in the Shanglin Lake kiln once represented the highest quality of such products in China. Celadon porcelain produced in Shanglin Lake during the Tang and Song Dynasties was sold overseas, and porcelain making technology spread to other countries.

　　在宁波，上林湖越窑的产品曾代表了中国青瓷制造的最高水平，唐宋时期出产自上林湖的青瓷远销海外，制瓷技术传播至国外。

　　At that time, Ningbo was a big trading port and cultural hub because of its location. Being close to rivers and the sea, trade in Ningbo was booming. The Yue ware celadon was the concentrated embodiment of the elegant, exquisite, open, and inclusive style of the Song Dynasty.

　　彼时，宁波凭借河海交替的地理位置和经济要地的优势，取得了贸易大港、文化高地的成就和地位。越窑青瓷正是文雅精致、开放包容的宋韵之风的集中体现。