介绍:
In Beijing, the name Lao She is synonymous with the dramatic arts. Born in 1899, the famous author has penned such titles as "Camel Xiangzi", also known in the US as "Rickshaw". He has taught Chinese at the Oriental School of London University and was a visiting professor at American universities.
In 1988, 22 years after the death of this prolific writer, a teahouse was erected in his name. Its name "Lao She Teahouse" is actually a combination of his name and one of his famous stage drama, Tea House. Since its establishment, many world leaders have visited here and this is where many famous folk artists got their start.
I am now standing in front of the Lao She Tea House on the busy Qianmen pedestrian street. From the outside, it looks like a two-storey house out of ancient China. Even the door is painted red in the old Beijing style.
Stepping inside the Tea House is really like going back in time. There's Chinese opera music playing in the background and a red carpet leads from the door all the way up the wood staircase.
At the ground floor, I met Yang Qiwei, the vice-general manager of Lao She Tea House.
"Although the teahouse was opened in 1988, its history actually goes back a couple of years before that. In 1979, the founder, Ying Shengxi, sold tea on Qianmen Street for two cents a bowl. The teahouse has been here for 26 years and we're a representation of Beijing culture and a landmark in the city."
As we go up the stairs, there are some pictures posted along the walls of celebrities who have performed here in their formative years. Some of them have also performed on the Chinese New Year Gala numerous times.
On the second floor, there's a museum displaying tea culture in China throughout history. Here you can find books about tea drinking, tea history, and the history of Lao She Tea House.
There are also teapots in all kinds of shapes and sizes. There are big porcelain teapots that look like it can hold a tank of water and there are also small, delicate ones made of clay. Some have long protruding spouts while other has beautiful lotus-flower patterned handles and caps.
According to Yang, tea plays an important role in all the activities at Lao She Tea House.
"The teahouse rooted in Chinese traditional culture. And there are four kinds of services that our customers can enjoy. The first one is food. Second one is performance. Third one is tea ceremony. And the fourth include tea-tasting and education in Chinese tea culture."
Lao She Tea House has been a window for exhibiting the national culture and a bridge that connects China with the world. This is on full display on the third floor, where the performance area is.
There's a stage in front with tables for up to 8 guests. At the back, there are rows of chairs. Here, you can watch shadow puppets, Beijing opera, cross-talks and many other traditional Beijing folk arts that were usually performed on the streets.
A show is about to start in half an hour and people are already arriving in droves. The noise reminds me a bit of a rowdy American bar as people greet each other. According to Yang, teahouses have an important function in Chinese history.
"Tea culture is an important part of Beijing culture. Teahouse is an important way to showcase Beijing culture. The teahouse in Beijing is different than the teahouses in southern China. In the south, the main function of the teahouse is to taste tea. In Beijing, the teahouse is a place for people to meet and communicate with each other."
The setting here makes you feel like you're in a Qing dynasty tea house and the shows give you a portfolio of Chinese performing arts. Even though it's a little expensive, the exciting performances and the mouthwatering food are totally worth it. And it's enjoyable for both adults and kids.
For Studio +, I'm Doris Wang.
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