An array of zisha teapots are on display at the Ziyi Jinsha pottery workshop in Tangzha ancient town, Nantong. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

The weeklong National Day holiday is just around the corner. How about trying your hand at making a zisha (purple clay) teapot at the Ziyi Jinsha pottery workshop in Tangzha ancient town, Nantong?

All of the raw materials come from Yixing, a county-level city in Wuxi which enjoys a rich ceramic culture, according to the workshop's owner Zhou Bin, who relocated his business from downtown Nantong to Tangzha town a few years ago.

"I like the strong culture and art scene here," said Zhou. "Making teapots requires a peaceful mind. During the process, it's as if I'm talking with my inner self."

Zhou has been working to integrate Tangzha culture into his pottery works. 

A teapot he recently completed is in the shape of a lotus flower, the handle in the shape of a lotus root, the spout a lotus leaf, and the lid features a frog and string of lotus seeds. It took him about a week to produce. 

"I want to provide zisha enthusiasts in Nantong with beautiful teapots. People are also welcome to try their hands at making their own pottery in my workshop," said Zhou.

Zhou Bin works on a zisha teapot at his workshop in Tangzha ancient town, Nantong. [Photo/ntfabu.com]