Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle

Overview

Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle is one of Singapore's last two surviving dragon kilns — traditional 27-metre-long wood-fired kilns built into a slope — surrounded by a lush secondary forest in the far west of the island. Founded in 1940, the pottery still fires its kiln twice a year, producing stoneware using techniques unchanged for generations.

Highlights

• Dragon Kiln Firings: Twice-annual community events where the kiln is loaded with hundreds of ceramic pieces and fired for 24 continuous hours.
• Pottery Workshops: Hands-on wheel-throwing and hand-building workshops in the jungle studio.
• Kiln Tour: Guided walks explaining the heritage of dragon-kiln pottery in Southeast Asia.

History

Dragon kilns originated in ancient China and were brought to Singapore by Hokkien and Teochew potters in the early 20th century. Of the dozen-plus kilns that once operated in Singapore, only Thow Kwang's remains active for regular firings.

Visitor Tips

• Check firing schedule: The twice-yearly firings (usually March and October) are ticketed community events — book early.
• Remote location: Take a taxi or drive — there is no convenient MRT access.
• Duration: 1 hour for tour; 2–3 hours for a workshop.