On the afternoon of Tuesday, September 15, 2026, led by Mr. Fan Ziping of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association, a delegation from the association’s presidency visited “Incloud” at 74 Prinsep Street for a tour and exchange, and attended a welcome dinner held at Putien Restaurant.
This visit was made possible thanks to the kind invitation of Ms. Zhou Shuzhen, Honorary President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association; eighth-generation inheritor of the Jingdezhen Fengyao • Yunzhwei intangible cultural heritage; brand ambassador for Fengyao; and founder of Incloud Xiangyunduan, Singapore’s first “floating cups” teahouse.
Prinsep Street, located near the Bras Basah Complex and Bugis, is one of the most artistically vibrant neighborhoods in Singapore. Deep within this historic street, a tea and porcelain space inspired by the spirit of “floating cups along meandering waters” has quietly taken root—connecting, on one end, to the century-old kilns of Jingdezhen thousands of miles away, and on the other, to the diverse and inclusive pulse of Singapore. For the Central Plains Association, this was not only an opportunity to engage with member enterprises but also a cultural journey exploring the contemporary revival of Eastern aesthetics.
The Spirit of the Imperial Kilns, Eight Generations of Artistry
The story of Xiang Yunduan begins with a family’s century-long dedication to craftsmanship. Ms. Zhou Shuzhen’s family roots trace back to the Imperial Kiln in Jingdezhen during the late Qing Dynasty—her great-grandfather was an imperial artisan who specialized in formulating glazes and inscribing official marks. With seven generations of porcelain-making, the tradition has been kept alive, and Ms. Zhou Shuzhen is now the eighth-generation heir to this family of porcelain artisans.
Jingdezhen Yunzhwei Ceramic Culture Co., Ltd., carried on by President Zhou Shuzhen, adheres to the philosophy of “Blending East and West · Uniting Hearts Across the World” and has established the “Fengyao” brand. The company has been recognized as a “Demonstration Base for Productive Protection” of Jiangxi Province’s Intangible Cultural Heritage and a Jingdezhen City Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance Base. Among these accolades, the most significant is the Nomination Award at the Third “China Quality Award”—Fengyao remains the only entity in China’s ceramics industry to have received this honor to date. In addition, “Fengyao”-branded rouge-red sgraffito tea sets with gold-painted accents were named “Jiangxi Famous Brand Products”; the “Jingdezhen · Fengyao 1901” porcelain set won the Gold Award at the Jiangxi Provincial Cultural Tourism Creative Product Competition; and the “Peace and Harmony Across the Four Seas” tableware set claimed the Special Prize at the 8th “Dadi Award” Ceramic Creation and Innovative Design Competition.
A Touch of Rouge, Half the History of State Gifts
Among the many glaze colors of Fengyao porcelain, “Rouge Red” is undoubtedly the most renowned. Made from natural mineral pigments, it uses gold as a color developer and incorporates precious materials such as rubies and red agate. Fired at a high temperature of 1,320°C, the porcelain body is firm, dense, and flawlessly pure. A single piece of Fengyao porcelain must undergo 72 production steps—including sifting clay, shaping the body, and applying glaze—before it is completed. It is then further embellished with techniques such as hand-painted sgraffito, gold-line decoration, relief carving with gilded relief, and blue-and-white with underglaze red, resulting in a piece that is both magnificent and delicate, elegant and dignified. Because the firing parameters are extremely difficult to control, surviving masterpieces in rouge red have always been rare and are regarded as treasures among pink-and-white porcelain.
It is precisely for this reason that Fengyao porcelain has repeatedly taken center stage in China’s diplomatic efforts: the brand was commissioned by the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse to produce porcelain for state banquets, and many of its pieces have been presented as state gifts to dignitaries from Russia, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, and other countries. The porcelain has also been featured in footage of high-level meetings broadcast on CCTV’s *Xinwen Lianbo* (News Broadcast). Particularly noteworthy is that in 2018, the “Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Auspiciousness” stationery set—featuring a blush-red blue-and-white doucai design—was presented as a state gift to then-Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. This shade of blush red has long been inextricably linked to the Lion City.
An Encounter in the Lion City: A Seed Quietly Sprouts
Ms. Zhou Shuzhen’s connection with Singapore began with a special exhibition installation assignment. While studying arts management abroad, she took on a family mission to travel to Singapore to curate and install the “Spring and Summer Culture and Art Exhibition.” The vibrant colors of Malaysia, the mystique of India, the elegance of China, and the avant-garde spirit of the West coexisted harmoniously here; and within the exhibition halls, as visitors paused to admire the lustrous porcelain and asked questions about the Eastern philosophy behind the glaze colors, she truly felt the vitality of traditional porcelain art that transcends geographical boundaries.
She also keenly identified a gap in the market: while Singapore has no shortage of trendy cafés and sophisticated bars, it was hard to find a space that combined modern aesthetics with the charm of Eastern tea culture—a place where one could find peace of mind. Thus, an idea gradually took shape—to carry on the legacy of “Fengyao’s” craftsmanship and, using tea as a medium, create a “cultural living room” for urbanites. And so, Incloud was born.
As the cup floats down the winding stream, the scenery changes with every step
On the day of the visit, President Zhou Shuzhen warmly welcomed the delegation from the Zhongyuan Association and personally guided the guests on a tour of the teahouse.
Drawing inspiration from the elegant "winding stream and floating wine cups" gatherings of Eastern Jin Dynasty literati, Xiang Yunduan places water at the very soul of its design. A meandering, shallow water feature flows through the central courtyard, its gentle murmurs infusing the space with a lively rhythm, while curved pathways guide one’s movement, revealing ever-changing vistas with every step. Natural light and soft illumination interplay to create a blend of solidity and translucence, complemented by the warm, tactile appeal of natural materials such as raw wood, bamboo, stone, and rice paper. Landscape screens and solid wood furniture harmonize beautifully, evoking a Zen-like serenity reminiscent of the verse: "I build my hut within the realm of men, yet hear no clamor of carriages or horses." As Singapore’s first teahouse themed around this ancient tradition, the venue serves as both a showcase for ceramics and an immersive space for experiencing tea culture and Eastern aesthetics.
A Cup of Clear Tea, New Melodies from the South Seas
To cater to Singapore’s tropical climate and diverse palates, Xiang Yun Duan boldly pushes the boundaries of traditional tea beverages: carefully selected premium whole-leaf tea undergoes a 12-hour low-temperature cold brew to restore the tea’s authentic, delicate aroma; infused with fresh seasonal fruits or health-promoting herbs, the tea’s aroma unfolds in layers; paired with custom-made Chinese-style pastries, tea, food, and ambiance blend into a harmonious whole. The tea menu also features “Master Hand-Brewed Teas” prepared on-site by seasoned tea masters, a seasonal tea selection inspired by the 24 solar terms, and a caffeine-free series made from natural flowers, herbs, and fresh fruits—each served in “Fengyao” teaware.
The guests gathered around the tea table, sipping tea and admiring the porcelain as the tea master performed the brewing ritual with fluid grace, experiencing firsthand the spirit of “using porcelain as a medium to carry on a thousand-year-old cultural heritage; using tea as a melody to usher in a new chapter for the times.”
Sharing Feelings Over Tea, Discussing Heritage Together
During the roundtable discussion, President Zhou Shuzhen extended a warm welcome to the delegation from the Zhongyuan Association. She shared the story of her family’s century-long legacy in porcelain artistry, as well as the entrepreneurial journey of Xiangyunduan—from its inception to its establishment in Singapore. She also outlined the development vision for the teahouse, “More Than Just Tea, It’s a Community”—to build a refined and warm cultural community by regularly hosting elegant gatherings, tea tastings, and cultural salons through the “Cloud Tea Gathering” membership program; At the same time, through a “space + retail” model, the initiative aims to create a new retail experience that integrates tea drinking, tea shopping, porcelain appreciation, porcelain purchasing, and cultural exchange, and is now open to the public for recruitment of city partners.
Mr. Fan Ziping expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Zhou Shuzhen for her warm hospitality. He noted that Xiangyunduan seamlessly blends the family’s heritage of intangible cultural heritage with modern lifestyles, serving as a vivid example of the preservation and innovation of traditional Chinese culture overseas. He added that the Central Plains Association will continue to support the development of its member enterprises and work together to help Chinese culture take root in Singapore.
Subsequently, Wang Xiaopei, Founding President and Permanent Honorary President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association, presented a commemorative gift to President Zhou Shuzhen on behalf of the association, thanking her for her strong support of the association and extending best wishes for the future development of Xiangyunduan.
The participants engaged in lively discussions on topics such as cultural exchange, collaboration on member activities, and the global promotion of Chinese culture, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
On Meizhou Island, Sharing the Bonds of Hometown Affection
After the visit concluded successfully, the group proceeded to Putien Restaurant at 127 Kitchener Road to attend a welcome dinner hosted by President Zhou Shuzhen.
During the banquet, hosts and guests raised their glasses and engaged in lively conversation, discussing topics ranging from the kiln fires of Jingdezhen to the aroma of tea in Singapore, and from family heritage to the pioneering spirit and perseverance of Chinese businesspeople in Southeast Asia. As they toasted one another, their bonds grew ever stronger, laying a more solid foundation for future exchanges and cooperation among the members.
Shared Roots, Shared Origins; Sharing in Mutual Beauty
During this visit to Incloud, the Central Plains Association delegation gained insight, over a cup of tea and a piece of porcelain, into the dedication of eight generations of a single family. They also witnessed the vibrant vitality of traditional Chinese culture as it flourishes in the new era and in a foreign land. A touch of vermilion red embodies not only the spirit of the imperial kilns and the glory of national gifts but also the deep affection of overseas Chinese, who use culture as a bond to connect their homeland with their new home.
The Singapore Zhongyuan Association has always been committed to uniting the Chinese business community and promoting Chinese culture. Under the leadership of Mr. Fan Ziping, the Association will continue to conduct in-depth visits to member companies, build a platform for mutual support and collaboration, and help member companies achieve steady and sustainable growth while working together to build a brighter future.
The visit concluded successfully in a warm and cordial atmosphere. We would like to thank President Zhou Shuzhen and the Xiangyunduan team for their warm hospitality, and every member of the Zhongyuan Association for their active participation.
A cup of fine tea, savoring a century of craftsmanship; an elegant gathering, renewing bonds forged from a shared heritage.
Visitors
Wang Jiancheng, Advisor to the Singapore Zhongyuan Association and Chairman of Shanxi Ronghua Group Co., Ltd.
Han Xiao, Permanent Honorary President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association and Chairman of New Horizon Cultural Tourism Media Co., Ltd.
Fan Ziping, Singapore Zhongyuan Association
Wang Xiaopei, Founding President and Permanent Honorary President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association, and Chairman of Xinyu Culture Pte. Ltd.
Li Hong, Honorary President of the Singapore Centaline Association and CEO of VANSHIGLOBAL
Liu Hongling, Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association and Managing Director of IMI Lifestyle Products Pte Ltd
Guo Shujie, Vice President of the Singapore Central Plains Association and CEO of Xuanyu Construction Pte. Ltd.
Zhang Bo, Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association and CEO of Cheng • Production Pte. Ltd.
Guo Lijun, Honorary Vice President and Deputy Secretary-General of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association, and Managing Director of Kino Cranes Pte. Ltd.
Hou Zelong, Honorary Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association and Executive Chairman and CEO of Bubble Water Hub
Chen Liyuan, Honorary Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association and Founder of Guangdong Laike Emergency Group Co., Ltd.
Qian Jingyuan, Honorary Vice President of the Singapore Centaline Association and Chairman of Henan Dacheng Precision Engineering Co., Ltd.
Jia Weibin, Honorary Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association and Managing Director of Affiance Luxury
Produced by | Singapore Centaline Association
Authored by Zhao Xiaodan, Guo Lijun, Hou Jingyu
Photography | Cheng • Production Pte. Ltd.