Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle

I jumped off bus 199 on one of my weekly outings in Singapore. After a long walk I ended up in a very unique business called Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle.

Thow Kwang means pottery prosperity. The business opened in 1940 and is one of only two remaining big pottery endeavors left in Singapore. It's main attraction is it's 130 ft long, 16 ft wide, wood fired, dragon kiln. When fired up it looks like a dragon belching out fire and heat!

The pottery works is located in a jungle setting next to Clean Tech Park. The roofed, open air enterprise consists of the main kiln as well as a smaller one, areas for pottery and ceramic classes, and a huge shop which sells locally created artifacts as well as ones imported from China and Taiwan. Items for sale include beautifully manufactured bowls, plates, figurines, abstract art, as well as furniture.

In 2010, Thow Kwang was visited by Martha Stewart, a famous business person with a cooking and home tips TV show and magazine. She wrote very lovingly in her blog about this wonderful place.

Surrounding the jungle setting are several koi ponds. The most intriguing area is the very artistically thrown together junk pile. The discarded, moss covered pots seem to be alive and growing out of the terrain.  

I spent a lot of time wandering around this tranquil setting. After drinking a little water out of one of the ponds (yes, kitties can drink out of ponds when we are dying of thirst) it was time to go. There is talk that this location will be overtaken by the Clean Tech Park, however there is also talk that it will become a national heritage site. I really hope it is protected and stays the way it is.