Laoshe Teahouse, 20

• Source: Global Times
• [21:59 November 26 2009]
• Comments

A performance in Laoshe Teahouse. Photo: Tian Sangni

More than 160 international guests gathered at Beijing's famous Laoshe Teahouse Thursday to mark the 20th anniversary of its establishment. Traditional tea ceremonies, kung fu performances and folk music marked the celebrations.

The renowned teahouse was named after Chinese writer Lao She and Teahouse, one of his popular plays. The 3,600-square-meter establishment regularly showcases a diverse range of cultural activities from tea ceremonies to traditional music and artistic performances, it is one of the "cultural representatives of Beijing."

A retrospective photographic exhibition was also unveiled to mark the anniversary. The exhibition features photos of more than 100 heads of state and government leaders who have visited the teahouse, among which are George W. Bush, Shimon Peres, Ehud Olmert and Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Laoshe Teahouse has attracted around 3 million guests from both at home and abroad since it opened its doors in 1988. It was very popular during the 2008 Olympic Games and is situated in the famous Qianmen area.