Wednesday May 14, 2008 | 5 comments
In what seems like an overwhelming series of disasters this year, China’s Sichuan province was recently hit by a terribly destructive earthquake. It has taken many lives and destroyed many towns and cities. Among the cities hit is the capital of the Sichuan province, Chengdu. In today’s Voice, I want to not only take a moment to reflect on this immense tragedy, but also provide a glimpse of what this tea-loving city once was and (hopefully) will be again.
Chengdu is known for three major things: pandas, spicy food and teahouses. In fact, Chengdu is said to have more teahouses than Shanghai, despite the fact that the population is less than half. Tea is so infused into the lives of the people of the city that many stay at the teahouse all day, talking and playing games. Teahouse owners even provide visitors with ear cleaning and 
fingernail trimming (not in the tea, please) to keep them comfortable!
Entire communities meet at Chengdu’s teahouses, and it is therefore no wonder that during the Cultural Revolution most teahouses were shut down to discourage anti-revolutionaries from scheming.
There is a teapot that is unique to Chengdu teahouses as well. Usually made of brass and having an absurdly long spout, servers use these teapots to refresh customers’ teacups without interrupting conversations.
The people of Chengdu are known for love of life, and their passion for tea is a critical component. Hopefully they’ll be enjoying their tea again soon.
editor’s note: this article re-blogged with permission from tavalon.
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Hey its the tavalon tea guy! I went to one of your tea tastings – it was great!
Anyway, thanks for the article. I have family in the Sichuan area (they are all ok) and it is good to hear something positive about it.
The whole earthquake is unimaginable to me. There must be so many worried and praying about this devastation.
I’d like to welcome Chris, our new guest contributor, to T Ching. Great post! Although I’ve never been to Chengdu, I’ll be sure to go there during my next trip. I’ve seen those fascinating, long spouted water pots in Beijing. The server had lots of fancy moves and served us from a backward, over the shoulder pouring position.
I too send my prayers to the people of China during this devastating, natural disaster.
It was sad that I reached Xiamen immediately before the earth quake and the moment I sat down on my hotel room desk, I felt the tremors. Within 5 minutes I saw the reporting on BBC website and phones started pouring from the well wishers.
Only by next morning full scale of devastations reported.
God help China in 2008 – many misiries in a row.
Hey Chris,
So glad to see you here! T Ching is one of my favorite sites and it just got better now that you’re a part of it… Can you tell me where I can find one of these long spout tea pots in the states? i looked everywhere and i can’t find it. Trust me i looked all over Tavalon’s website as well.