The "Tea and Kings" special exhibition at the Pinglin Tea Museum in New Taipei City has grandly debuted, showcasing the tea culture stories of Eastern and Western monarchs. The public is invited to step into a royal palace that transcends time and space, experiencing the luxurious enjoyment of an imperial tea banquet.
According to the New Taipei City Cultural Affairs Department, tea has been a treasured beverage among royal and aristocratic circles in both Eastern and Western history. Tea culture not only reflects royal thought and taste but also embodies the craftsmanship and refined culture of human civilization. The "Tea and Kings" exhibition explores the hidden secrets of court tea ceremonies through a grand historical perspective and uses digital interactive technology to vividly interpret ancient court tea culture, leading visitors on a journey through time to enjoy the ultimate royal tea banquet.
The "Tea and Kings" special exhibition features an impressive 4-meter-high palace wall. (Image / Courtesy of New Taipei City Cultural Affairs Department)
The exhibition features a spectacular 4-meter-high palace wall. Entering through a magnificent palace gate, visitors feel as if they are stepping into an ancient court. Inside the exhibition, portraits of monarchs such as Emperor Hongwu and Emperor Qianlong appear to narrate their complex relationships with tea. Visitors can also catch a glimpse of the imperial kitchens and learn the secrets behind royal tea snacks like "Donkey Rolling" and "Eight Treasures Cake." The use of digital technology makes the exhibition even more lively and engaging, such as a dreamy forest deconstructing imperial tea poems, where the mist from rising tea steam reveals Empress Dowager Cixi and Queen Anne in conversation over tea, or the playful banter between King Charles II and Queen Catherine. Additionally, there's an interactive experience where visitors can "flip" palace figures and listen to them share intriguing stories about court tea culture, leaving visitors in awe.
The exhibition also introduces the Qing Dynasty's custom of drinking milk tea. The special exhibition runs from today until November 11, 2025. The public is welcome to visit and experience this time-traveling feast of tea culture. For more details, please visit the Tea Museum's Facebook fan page (www.facebook.com/pinglin.tea.m).
