Ayone ever lived/been to Jingdezhen, Jiangxi?

[Jonny Wang]

I may headed to Jingdezhen, Jiangxi (景德镇) later this year for work and am wondering what the city is like, especially from a westerner's point of view. I've only lived on the east coast in a big city, so this will be my first foray into "real" China (to live, not just visit).

Anyone been there or lived there before who wouldn't mind giving me their opinions of the city?

-standard of living

-weather

-environment, pollution

-(non)standardness of the putonghua

Thanks!

[brenna]

I'd also be interested to hear what others experiences are in the porcelain capital of china

[liuzhou]

This information is a little old, but I went there in 1997. OK. Very old.

The city was very undeveloped. The hotel was filthy. The prostitute who knocked on the door at about 2 am was a bit surprised when my reply to "Do you want a friend?" was "Hold on! I'll ask my wife!"

But the trip was rescued by a trip to the "living museum" somewhere on on the edge of town. They had a really nice place showing the history. And ended with artistans still making the stuff in the traditional way.

I spent more money than I should have. I dont regret it at all!

[anonymoose]

-(non)standardness of the putonghua

I haven't been to Jingdezhen, but I had a colleague from there, and the putonghua is not standard at all. I'm not sure if the dialect still comes under the broad heading of mandarin or not, but at least if you are not used to it (like me), then it is fairly difficult to understand.

[zerolife]

my gf is from that area but i haven't really been there.

as far as i know:

- standard of living

below average

-(non)standardness of the putonghua

not very standard ... i always joke with her that their are foreigners who speak Chinese better than some Chinese

[Meng Lelan]

The prostitute who knocked on the door at about 2 am was a bit surprised when my reply to "Do you want a friend?" was "Hold on! I'll ask my wife!"

laughing my #@$% head off.

By the way is there a special term for the blue and white porcelain made in China, is it all made in Jingdezhen or somewhere else.