Source: CCTV.com

08-20-2008 15:49

Special Report:   2008 Beijing Olympic Games

The Olympics has generated a new saying for those visiting Beijing: "You must watch a game at the Bird's Nest and have a cup of tea the the Laoshe Tea House." Last week the famous tea house received over a thousand foreign athletes and Olympic delegates and more than 8000 visitors. It's enjoying Olympic sales, about three thousand large bowls of tea a day.

Laoshe Teahouse(file photo)

There is the Kungfu of tea service. It's a great combination of tea and Kungfu, two of China's based known icons. The long spout tea pots are transformed into swords in their hands. You've heard of the Tao of Pooh. It's an old tradition going back to the Tang Dynasty more than a thousand years ago. This performance was created for the Olympics. Each of the five performers is dressed in one of the colors of the Olympic rings.

Just spend two hours here at Laoshe Teahouse, you'll experience the authentic old Beijing life: sipping cups of tea while watching a revue of the most popular Chinese traditional performances.

Albert Woods, vice chairman of British Olympic Association, said, "This is my first time in China. But it will not be my last. And we'll go to London in 2012. Yes, we're really looking forward to hosting the Olympics. After we saw your beautiful opening ceremony, we have to have a rethink."

Performance of Beijing Opera at Laoshe Teahouse.(file  photo)

Laoshe Teahouse has been restored for the Olympics. It has a full display of old Beijing tea culture. 10 minutes walk from Tian'anmen square, the tea house is a hot spot for foreign tourists and local people. Many presidents, prime ministers and celebrities have visited here since the tea house opened nearly 30 years ago. That's especially so during the Olympics.

With two cents you get a bowl of tea. You can refresh it. They serve in the day time from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Two cents, this has been the price since the tea house opened in 1979.

And the big bowls are not only popular as drinking receptacles, they can also be lined up as a musical instrument.

 

Editor:Lu Jing