Savoring the Aftertaste of Tea and Inhaling Artistic Essence: Could This Suburban Shanghai Museum Be the Next Trendy Spot?

Duration: 2 days, Time: August, Cost per person: 1000 yuan, Companions: Friends, Activities: Gastronomy, Culture, Chic, Weekend getaway. The author visited these places: The Bund in Shanghai, published on 2020-08-26 at 18:00.

[Preface]: Conversations with Museums – If scenic spots interpret the relationship between humans and nature, museums build a bridge between humans and their inner selves. On my travels, I enjoy visiting various museums. Public museums unfold the history and heritage of a nation and ethnicity in two dimensions before visitors, stirring awe-inspiring emotions; private museums, on the other hand, lay bare the collector’s inner world and artistic vision, akin to a conversation over tea with an old friend.

Amidst the pandemic, poetry and distant places seem far away, yet the scenery before our eyes becomes more tangible. Without leaving Shanghai, this past weekend, I discovered this hidden private museum on the outskirts of the city – Tai Hui Life Culture Park, which offered me two days of leisurely relaxation and an endlessly memorable artistic journey.

Tai Hui Life Culture Park is located in Nanhui, Pudong, just 3 kilometers from Shanghai Wild Animal Park and a dozen kilometers from Shanghai Disney. It may seem ordinary from the outside, but inside, it is a national 4A scenic spot – one of Shanghai’s largest private museums. The hustle and bustle outside contrast sharply with the tranquility within. Passing through the plaque inscribed by Mr. Yu Qiuyu, the urban noise of the metropolis is left behind. The entire cultural park, converted from a former factory, features artificial mountains, waterfalls, meandering streams, and picturesque scenes, reminiscent of the winding paths of a Jiangnan garden. Behind these paths lies a world of wonders.

At the four corners of the original factory, there are eight authentic old houses, transported whole from places like Anhui and Jiangxi. These bring the essence of traditional culture across thousands of miles and across the ages. The classic structure of Hui-style architecture blends seamlessly with the modern factory buildings, complementing each other perfectly. It brings the essence of traditional Chinese culture, the subtle elegance, and the tranquil natural lifestyle of ancient people right before the modern audience. No wonder it is hailed as a classic transformation of factories.

[The World is Contained in a Mustard Seed, and the Universe is Hidden in a Grain of Sand] – The core of Tai Hui Life Culture Park is the Vajra Museum. ‘Vajra’, a Buddhist term, refers to the indestructible and irreplaceable Dharma in Mahayana Buddhist scriptures. This beautiful blessing is aptly used to name a museum that houses the world’s treasures. This vast space, transformed from a factory, covers an area of over 20,000 square meters. Through the designer’s skillful hands, it has shed its industrial production line style, filled with Chinese architectural elements and artistic imagination. Stepping into it, one completely forgets its past life, as if entering a traditional courtyard-style building on a larger scale.

It houses over 40,000 pieces of rare art collections, including cultural relics, calligraphy, painting, sculpture, contemporary art, stone carvings, antique architecture, and more. These are categorized into ten major exhibition halls: the Tea Museum, Oil Painting Hall, Shanghai School Hall, Watercolor Hall, Glass Art Hall, Sculpture Hall, Crystal Hall, Ancient Stone Sculpture Hall, Jade Hall, and Temporary Exhibition Hall. It regularly hosts various thematic exhibitions, exhibitions by famous artists, and special exhibitions. You can wander through the art galleries of the painting world, converse with the timeless masterpieces of Master Feng Zikai; in the time tunnel of the Tea Museum, savor the soul-infused fragrance of tea; and in the Crystal and Jade Halls, marvel at the wonders of natural beauty and the treasures crafted by skilled hands.

Unsealing the cellars of Pu’er tea within an ancient Hui-style building, the swirling tea sprites dance in the hands of tea fairies, releasing a natural fragrance that captivates the heart and soul. As you enter the museum, you’re greeted by a massive screen that transports you to the tea fields and mountains, along with the eye-catching jade mountains on the side of the hall. A piece of stone naturally nurtured, how does it transform under the skillful hands and creative minds of art masters, presenting the essence of nature through color, texture, and pattern layers on the jade? Even before entering the exhibition hall, you are awestruck by this masterpiece, increasing your anticipation for the collection within. Each treasure is invaluable, and to allow close-up viewing, many exhibits are not covered by glass cases. Visitors must be exceptionally civilized during their tour.

[Shanghai School Gallery: The Universe in the Masters’ Brushstrokes, Do You Know?] Among the thousand national arts, paintingTraditional literati, regardless of their expertise, must master traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy. The ‘Shanghai School,’ rooted in old Shanghai, is a typical representative of the integration of traditional Chinese painting and Western techniques. A museum based in Shanghai naturally boasts a rich collection in this regard. The Shanghai School Gallery showcases representative works from the end of the Qing Dynasty to the contemporary era, undeniably displaying the style of the ‘Shanghai School’ that inherits the traditional skills of the Tang and Song dynasties and widely absorbs the advantages of folk and Western painting arts.

You are immediately drawn to Feng Zikai’s ‘Infinite Life Buddha’ upon entering. This heavyweight figure in 20th-century Chinese art, whose knowledge spans almost all artistic fields, is a painter, calligrapher, literary scholar, essayist, translator, and art and music education theorist. The master’s achievements are astonishing. Feng Zikai’s works are generally small in size. The value of such a large and auspicious painting is a matter for collectors to ponder. Feng Zikai once studied under Li Shutong (Master Hong Yi), the most magical literary and artistic figure of modern times, a legendary figure whose knowledge is vast and who has reached heights in multiple artistic fields that are difficult for later generations to match. Reading about his legendary life always fills one with awe at the wonders of creation; while ordinary people struggle to comprehend a single path, there are extraordinary individuals who can excel and transcend in many fields, and also understand Zen, leaving us in awe. In the museum’s display, you will also find Master Hong Yi’s serene and peaceful portrait, which calms the mind.

A set of six upright scrolls, ‘Fine Brushwork Figures,’ created by Master Huangshan Shou, is equally captivating. The figures of ladies are elegant and beautiful, with a clear and refined charm that seems to leap off the paper. Sasha is fortunate to have studied traditional Chinese painting for a few years, although not having mastered the skills, she knows the brilliance of the masters’ works. As a local painting school of Shanghai, the Shanghai School, like the city itself, is inclusive and keeps pace with the times. The museum’s collection of modern Shanghai-style paintings also reflects this integration and development. Master Han Tianheng’s ‘Lotus Pond’ and Master Shi Dawei’s ‘Character Style’ all make people stop and admire the breadth and splendor of the painting sea. Between the brush and ink, there seems to be a rhythmic sprite, recording the world’s splendor and the mind’s universe on paper for future generations.

From the essence bestowed by nature to the craftsmanship of tea makers, and then to the skillful hands of tea artists… When the warm tea soup enters the throat, there is the rhythm and breath of life by your ears. As a tea enthusiast, I find joy in drinking tea in my daily life. However, the Mingyue Tea Museum has truly broadened my horizons.

You might be able to distinguish the characteristics of black tea, green tea, oolong tea, white tea, dark tea, and flower tea, but do you know how the thousand-year-old tea culture has evolved, what are the features of tea utensils from different dynasties, and the origins and present of modern tea schools? The answers lie within this museum. The Mingyue Tea Museum is likely the most comprehensive and richly collected tea museum in Shanghai. Starting from the historical inheritance of tea-making tools, its complete collection showcases the birth of Chinese tea culture during the Qin and Han dynasties, the process of craftsmanship in the Tang and Song dynasties, the innovative changes in the Ming dynasty, the ethnic integration in the Qing dynasty, and the inclusive development in modern times, opening up new avenues of thought.

Have you ever wondered how the Tang dynasty tea cakes differ from modern ones? Or the Qing dynasty portable tea sets, which integrate the ethnic characteristics of Han, Manchu, and Mongolian—do you know which part is Han, which is Manchu, and which is Mongolian? Of course, there are countless ceramic tea sets on display, from blue and white to purple sand, from Jianzhou to Jun kiln. I deliberately wore this cheongsam, doesn’t it match well with this blue and white porcelain? What’s rare is that the tea museum also collects many Chinese and Japanese iron and silver kettles, representing the works of various kettle-making schools. This is a knowledge gap for me, something I see with my eyes and learn with my heart.

In addition to tea utensils, the tea collection is the pride of the entire museum. The Mingyue Tea Museum houses over 50 tons of tea. The tea fairies have traveled to more than a hundred ancient tree tea mountains in Yunnan that have not been domesticated, in collaboration with professional institutions such as the China International Tea Culture Research Association, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Tea Industry Development Research Center, and the Tea Department of Zhejiang University, collecting samples of ancient tree tea leaves fromStanding in front of countless tea samples, you will understand that tea is a gift of nature, but it is also a condensation of human effort and blood. From site selection for tea picking to tea making, to finished tea, to tea etiquette… This culture is not only about tea, it has been inherited for thousands of years and permeated into our veins. After learning about the veins of this tea leaf in the museum, are you tempted to brew a pot of tea? Wait a moment, after viewing the exhibition, I will take you to taste some fine tea.

[Crystal Pavilion: Crystal Clear and Exquisite]
What is a crystal collection? Is it just the chemical name of silicon dioxide crystal? This natural crystal clearness, the exquisite heart of mineral deposition, combined with the craftsmanship and thought of the master craftsmen, makes it a unique crystal collection. Qing Hongsheng’s poem in ‘The Palace of Eternal Life’ says: ‘The cool moon is just rising high in the pavilion, the curtain rolls up, and the fragrant wind reflects the crystal.’ The Crystal Pavilion next to the tea museum satisfies your extravagant thoughts about crystal treasures. Here, there are pure crystals as white as ice, either pure white and transparent, or slightly pink, matched with exquisite carving skills, which makes one sigh, from ancient times to the present, crystal has been pursued by people, and it turns out to be so. Compared to the clear ice, I prefer the hair crystals and green ghosts that have natural accompanying minerals. Those tiny accompanying substances seem like a joke nature plays with you: like silk floss, or like flames, or like iron, making the crystal seem to have life, showing a rich and colorful change, giving people endless imagination.
Most of the crystal carvings here are in the form of Buddha statues, with the spirituality of the crystals resonating with the tranquility of Buddhist charm, inspiring reverence and reluctance to disturb.

【Jade Pavilion: The Beauty of Nature Awaits the Skill of Craftsmanship】
Emeralds are woven into luxurious garments, and gold stirrups adorn the jade. The light steps of precious horses, the sudden rise of fragrant dust on the ground. Although the history of jade and jadeite in ancient China is not long, the red and green hues, with a touch of pink, reflect the joy and auspiciousness of traditional culture. Originating from Myanmar, this hard jade has become a sought-after gem in modern times. Sasa once lived in the ancient town of Heshun in Tengchong, western Yunnan. For hundreds of years, the horse caravans passing through carried jade along the trade routes, from the deep mountains of northern Myanmar to the palaces and nobility, and then spread westward, spreading the fame of jade around the world. The stories between these jade stones are long and enduring. The value of jade lies in its texture, from glass-like to icy to waxy, the natural variability compressed within a small space, presenting a fascinating hierarchy; the splendor of jade lies in its color, with the imperial green naturally exciting, but the endless changes between green and pink are even more admirable; the soul of jade lies in the carving, where art masters have penetrated the hardness and softness of the texture, the changes in color, and with a soulful carving knife, they can transform a rough jade into a timeless treasure with artistic spirit. The Jade Pavilion of Tai Hui Life showcases classic works of art from the most influential jade carvers of the contemporary era. The exquisite shapes and natural color changes can only be admired. It is no wonder that some describe it as ‘the highest level of contemporary jade carving art’.

【Sculpture Pavilion: The Artistic Power That Penetrates the Soul】
If the Crystal Pavilion and Jade Pavilion display the achievements of artists standing on the shoulders of nature, then the Sculpture Pavilion is entirely a collection of creative masterpieces from the hearts of art masters. It features more than eighty exquisite works created by sculptors from three generations in China. From the grand and powerful deeds of the older generation’s leaders to the detailed depiction of social realities, to the free and imaginative abstract ideas. Visiting slowly is like opening the development history of modern Chinese sculpture. In front of these sculptures, what you see is not the sculpture itself, but through it, you engage in a dialogue with the creator across time and space. Perhaps you cannot fathom the author’s intentions, perhaps you will suddenly realize, but isn’t this process a form of self-cultivation in the art of practice?

【Watercolor Gallery: The Art of the Moment Captured in an Instant】
There may be no painting form closer to ordinary learners than watercolor. Many people’s memories of childhood art classes might be sketching and watercolor. At first, I was surprised to see the watercolor gallery because watercolors are often fresh and bright small landscapes, and there are no large-scale masterpieces.

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**Watercolor Gallery: The Flexible and Realistic Charm**

After visiting the watercolor gallery, I realized that the masters’ watercolors possess a flexible and realistic charm. These watercolor sketches, though not large in size, vividly reproduce precious historical moments, recreating specific scenes from the time tunnel. You can find the old Bund, ancient water towns, or the joy of harvest in the countryside, or the passion of mass production… The painters use the changes in color intensity to freeze these vivid moments within a small space. Unlike the realism of historical photos, these scenes with changes in color intensity combine reality and imagination skillfully, providing more imaginative fun and moving vitality.

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**Oil Painting Hall: The Artistic Charm of Great Leaders’ Poems**

In contrast to the delicacy of the watercolor gallery, the oil painting hall will astonish visitors in a different way. Grand yet detailed, it leaves a lasting impression. During our visit, the theme exhibition was ‘Oriental Red – Exhibition of Mao Zedong’s Poetic Paintings from the Collection’. Each large-scale oil painting vividly recreates the grand revolutionary history led by a great leader. What’s particularly interesting is that each masterpiece here corresponds to a poem by Chairman Mao. How many do you recognize? This majestic large-scale oil painting must be the Crossing the River Campaign, and that one is likely – ‘The People’s Liberation Army Occupies Nanjing’ ‘It is fitting to pursue the remaining brave enemies, not to be known as a bullying overlord.’ This ancient emperor portrait, must be – ‘Pity Qin and Han Emperors, slightly less in literary grace; Tang and Song ancestors, slightly less in romantic charm. The pride of a generation, Genghis Khan, only knows how to bend the bow and shoot eagles.’ How many more can you recognize? It is recommended to prepare a complete collection of poems when visiting. Finding them one by one adds a unique charm.

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**Tea Tasting: The Dancing Fairies in the Tea Fairy’s Hands**

‘A leaf falls into water, changes its taste, and thus tea is born.’ After visiting each hall, one can’t help but feel thirsty. Especially after seeing the Tea Museum, with its rich tea cellars and a gene bank of a hundred tea mountains. Then join me in moving to the tea room in the museum to appreciate how these lively tea leaves, in the hands of the legendary Tea Fairy, turn into intoxicating tea fragrance. During the museum visit, you will constantly discover tea elements. This magical leaf seems to be the soul of this place. From the selection of tea mountains at the source, to the search for the classic tea-making techniques of tea non-heritage inheritors, and then to the professional tea artists’ brewing, every piece of tea that enters the throat here has its own attention from the source. With the afternoon sun, we enjoy this tea with an identity card in the museum’s courtyard tea room. ‘Awakening’ is the symbol of this tea’s identity, sealed in silver, isolating water and taste. Opening this treasured 2014 ancient tree Pu’er, it is the result of six years of brewing. Awakening tea follows the ancient method of slow fermentation by hand, from the spring tea picking to the drying and fermentation, it takes a long year, not the taste of modern rapid fermentation. So, within these tea leaves, it contains the taste of the sun seven years ago. Good tea also needs to be brewed well, and the last process of tea making is not less particular. Different teas require different water temperatures and brewing order. The re-encounter of dehydrated tea and water must thoroughly release the hidden fragrance factors. What impressed me deeply was that due to the trust in the source of tea and the production process, the brewing of Awakening tea does not need the usual ‘washing tea’ step. This especially admires those who know a little about tea. After watching the steps of the Tea Fairy, I couldn’t help but get started and learn this elegant tea art. The appearance is easy to learn, but the understanding of tea can only comfort oneself. Boiling water into the pot, the curled tea leaves are like reborn fairies dancing, incorporating the essence of nature into the water, scattering it into the air, forgetting the secular smell. Sip a mouthful of amber tea soup, the heat flows into the throat, from the inner heart to every pore of the body seems to be permeated by the fragrance. Worry thoughts are clear, and it seems that there is Zen music in the ears.

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**Hui-style Ancient Buildings, Inside There is a Universe**

Following the winding wooden plank road, I am going to explore those Hui-style ancient buildings I found when flying. Behold the historic tales nestled between the pink walls and black tiles. Serene waters flow through the lotus pond at the end of summer, passing under the small bridge, embracing the rejuvenated old residence. Unlike the treasures hidden under the eaves, isn’t this architecture itself the most precious collection? The wooden beams and columns inside the old house, though newly restored, still retain their original appearance.

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