Unique Teahouse Culture in Chengdu, Sichuan
Sichuan is a large province in southwestern China, the famous giant panda lives in this province. Most part of it is located in the Sichuan Basin, and the western part on Sichuan plateau. Chengdu is the municipal capital of Sichuan. Chengdu is historically known as the "land of heaven" after the construction of a sophisticated irrigation system "Du Jiang Yan" built in 256 BC.
Du Jiang Yan separate the Min Jiang River
The construction of "Du Jiang Yan" separated Min Jiang River into two steams: the outer river continueing its normal course and the inner river being diverted to irrigate farmland in Chengdu plain. Thus, it conquered the flooding of Min Jiang River in summer seasons, and ensured plenty of irrigation to the Chengdu plain, made Sichan plain a productive agricultural province.
Free from annual flooding and abundance in agriculture nurished a unique teahouse culture in Chengdu. Chengdu teahouse has similar function as a bar in the West, it is a place for socializing and relaxing. A traditional Chengdu teahouse must equip three items: Bamboo Armchair, porcelain Gaiwan (a Chinese tea ware consists of saucer, bowl and lid), and copper water kettle with long spout. A tea waiter (called "Cha Bo Shi") mastered the skill of pouring water with the special copper kettle is the soul of such a teahouse. He could easily fill up a Gaiwan in a packed teahouse without pushing through crowds of tea drinkers.
Fill in water with the long spout copper kettle
