"I resisted very strongly," Hu said. "I told them to give me two or three months to try my luck in Jingdezhen."

In his second month as a "drifter", Hu discovered Taoxichuan, a creative landmark built on the site of renovated old factories. Now a pilgrimage site for ceramic lovers worldwide, Taoxichuan serves as an incubation platform where young people can "level-up" their careers. Every weekend, the venue hosts a three-day market. Young entrepreneurs can apply for a booth, and if selected, they receive subsidies, free tents, tables, chairs and even assistance with warehousing and logistics.

As night falls, the market transforms into a dazzling spectacle. Under the warm glow of streetlights, rows of stalls display an array of unique ceramic pieces. The air is filled with the chatter of young creators sharing their design concepts with curious visitors. This vibrant atmosphere is not just about commerce; it is a cultural salon where ideas comingle.

Today, more than 32,000 young people like Hu have gathered around Taoxichuan to start businesses, generating employment for nearly 150,000 people.

At the end of that pivotal year, Hu returned home. Keeping only 10,000 yuan ($1,463) for operational turnover, he handed over the 100,000 yuan he had earned to his parents.

Having operated a stall for over six months, he qualified to upgrade to the Yi Space mall, a venue offering greater support and a prime opportunity for low-cost entrepreneurship.

For makers like Hu, the challenge has shifted from mere survival to transforming from being stall owners into managers of original brands. This transition signifies a shift from a transient existence to a rooted business, offering a sense of legitimacy and a platform for long-term growth.

Statistics show that Jingdezhen has maintained a net inflow of population over the past 12 years. Currently, the number of people "drifting" and starting businesses in the city exceeds 80,000.

Among them is Chen Saijie, a graduate of the sculpture department at Jingdezhen Ceramic University. His studio is located in a small, abandoned factory building. Though compact, it is fully equipped. His team includes staff members for molding and painting, while Chen and his wife handle the main sculpture work.

Chen's entrepreneurial journey was initially rocky, and he once faced significant debt. The turning point came with the birth of his son, Genggeng. Inspired by his child, Chen created a porcelain sculpture series titled "Super Baby Gift Box".

"The most direct impression is that business got better," Chen said. "The series we made became very popular. Genggeng is perhaps the best gift heaven has given us."

The couple poured their affection into the creation, and the series resonated deeply with customers. Today, Chen runs a shop in Yi Space and attends weekend markets, finding a stable and fulfilling life in the city. His story reflects how life's personal milestones often intertwine with artistic breakthroughs, grounding the drifting soul in the warmth of family and success.

The local government is actively supporting this growing community. In Sanbao village, located in "Porcelain Valley", the "Jingpiao Home" has become a hub for service and support.

"We are very willing to solve problems for everyone, ranging from daily trivialities to long-term life planning," said Zhang Chen, vice-chairman of the Jingdezhen Federation of Literary and Art Circles. The center provides services ranging from experience sharing and exhibition curation to professional title applications and skills training.

In Jingdezhen, the word "maker" implies not just entrepreneurship, but innovation. Fifteen years ago, Wen Xiang, then 55, arrived in Jingdezhen. A former television variety show director, he was a "cross-over" outsider who set a bold goal: to challenge the most difficult field of traditional porcelain making — underglaze color.

"Jingdezhen traditionally only had blue and white and underglaze red," Wen explained. "I asked myself, why not strive to create an underglaze splash color? Only by taking this path can we break the mold of traditional arts and crafts."

The difficulty of firing underglaze five-color porcelain exceeded imagination. It required adjusting and improving the millennium-old fixed formulas of traditional craftsmanship. Over 15 years, Wen conducted more than 3,000 trial firings, scrapping over a dozen kilns in the process. The path was lonely and fraught with frustration. Each failed firing was a blow to both his finances and his morale. Yet, Wen's persistence highlights the core spirit of Jingdezhen: a reverence for tradition coupled with an unyielding drive to innovate.

After stabilizing the kiln temperature, he collaborated with a research team from Central South University to adjust the formulas of the body and glaze using rare earth materials. "It is not just an innovation of a single point or material," Wen said. "The entire process and production chain must be innovated to achieve the current result."

Wen is not alone. In universities and research institutes, new crafts and materials are constantly emerging. Meanwhile, the city has attracted over 5,000 foreign Jingpiao. Like migratory birds crossing mountains and seas, these international artists bring diverse creativity, ranging from traditional handicrafts to cutting-edge 3D printing.

Jingdezhen has embraced them with open arms. In this city, there is no "lying flat" — only dedicated makers bowing to their craft. This inclusiveness is the secret to the city's everlasting vitality. Whether they are local graduates or artists from thousands of miles away, they all share a common language spoken through clay and fire. With culture knowing no boundaries and creativity irrespective of nationality, the ancient porcelain capital continues to reinvent itself through the fusion of global talent.

renqi@chinadaily.com.cn