The World of Tea: Special Exhibition on Tea Culture opened at the Palace Museum in Beijing on September 2, 2023. This exhibition features a total of 555 pieces (sets) of tea-related treasures, including 227 from representative collections of 30 cultural institutions and museums both domestically and internationally. It provides insights into tea's origins and evolution as a cultural phenomenon while emphasizing how it has acted as a unifying thread connecting diverse regions and fostering the integration of various ethnic groups.
The exhibition comprises four sections, each illuminating a distinct facet of tea's rich history and cultural significance. The first section explores the origins of tea in China, tracing its development over thousands of years and its pivotal role in politics, economics and cultural exchanges. On display are cultural relics from the Qing dynasty, including preserved tea leaves, export paintings and combinations of various objects. The second section delves into the essence of the tea ceremony, featuring a collection of notable paintings and calligraphy from the Palace Museum, as well as ancient texts and excavated tea sets. In the third section, the exhibition traces the global spread of tea from China to various parts of the world, highlighting how different cultures adopted and adapted tea culture. Exhibits include exquisite tea sets from the UK, Japan and Russia, unique tea sets used in the Qing dynasty court, and foreign-style tea sets produced by the Imperial Workshop of the Qing dynasty. The fourth and final section discusses the enduring appeal of tea culture, emphasizing its diverse and integral role in people's daily lives across the globe. Rooted in tradition, it showcases tea culture's ongoing development and prospects.
Source: the Palace Museum