每座古城都有它的骄傲，建水也不例外。从2004年的7家陶艺作坊，到2006、2007年的30多家，到2008、2009年的70多家，再到2015年年底的560多家，再次繁荣昌盛至2016年的993家，目前还在快速增加中。建水紫陶正在发生着难以想象的变化。

许多人为此作出了太多努力，比如2000年申报了建水紫陶地理证明商标，比如2004年成立紫陶研究会，比如2007年申报了国家级非物质文化遗产，还比如2009年参加杭州第九届中国工艺美术大师精品博览会正是这一步步的努力，让建水紫陶重放光芒，再次成为这千年古城名副其实的骄傲。

建水古城雄镇东南，历史悠久。在距今一千二百年的唐元和年间，雄踞南滇的南诏王朝在一个被称为“步头”的水泽之滨修筑了一座名为“惠历”的古城。“惠历”是当地彝语的直译音，将其直译为“建水”。这种名字源于彝语中的“大海子边”，意指大海子的边缘，这就是建水得名的地方。

这座千年古城，以它深厚的历史文化底蕴孕育了闻名中外的建水紫陶。曾经的是碗窑村也变成了现在耳目一新的建水紫陶街。走在这个城市，你可以看到各种各样的茶具，这些茶具不仅仅是用来泡普洱茶，而是融合了传统工艺和现代设计，为现代生活增添了一抹温馨与艺术感。

从20世纪50年代至21世纪初，建水紫陶走过了一条漫长而坎坷的一条创业之路。在五十年的历程中，由于受体制和地域等因素束缚，一度让人们几乎忘记了这段辉煌。但随着云南省以普洱茶为龙头的大型茶产业异军突起，以及外来专家的加入，本土技师们奋发图强，在内外结合的人才机制配合下，使得buildings of the ancient city, such as tea utensils and purple pottery, are once again thriving.

Now, in the bustling markets of Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province, you can see all sorts of tea products alongside buildlings of the ancient city. Every city has its own unique cultural landmarks. The Purple Pottery Street in Yunnan is destined to become a new cultural symbol of this ancient city.

Yuan Zhong's Profile

Yuan Zhong was born on August 1957 in Yunnan Province's Dianchi District. He graduated from the Art Department of Yunnan Normal University in 1982 and began his career as an art teacher at a local middle school.

In 1993 he became deputy director and then director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau in Dianchi District.

He was appointed as vice mayor and secretary-general for culture by the municipal government before becoming headman for arts education at a local college.

From 1998 onwards he focused on promoting traditional crafts like purple pottery through exhibitions, books and other media projects. In 1999 he founded China’s first museum dedicated to traditional crafts with over ten thousand exhibits.

His work has been recognized by numerous awards including Best Craftsman Award at China’s National Arts Festival twice (in 1986 and 1991).

He was also awarded Best Artist Award at China’s National Fine Arts Exhibition three times (in 1979, 1983 <and> , respectively).