Preface: Dialogue with Museums

If scenic spots interpret the relationship between humans and nature, then museums build a bridge between humans and their hearts. On my travels, I enjoy visiting various museums.
Public museums present the history and heritage of the nation and its people in two dimensions, creating a magnificent and awe inspiring spectacle for visitors; Private museums, on the other hand, unfold the hearts and artistic views of collectors in front of like-minded individuals, like old friends chatting and sharing tea.

The hidden scenery around us, Taihui Life Culture Park

The epidemic has made poetry and distant places distant, but it has also made the scenery in front of us vivid. This weekend, without leaving Shanghai, I discovered this private museum hidden in the suburbs - Taihui Life and Culture Park, which brought me two days of leisurely and unforgettable art journey.

The Taihui Life and Culture Park is located in Nanhui, Pudong, only 3 kilometers away from Shanghai Wildlife Park and just over ten kilometers away from Shanghai Disneyland. From the outside, it may seem ordinary, but inside it is a national 4A level scenic spot - one of the largest private museums in Shanghai. The hustle and bustle outside contrasts sharply with the tranquility here.

Passing through the plaque inscribed by Mr. Yu Qiuyu, the urban noise of the Magic City is locked outside the garden.
The entire cultural park was renovated from the original factory, but it has rockeries, waterfalls, meandering water, and flowing cups, creating a beautiful scenery everywhere, reminiscent of the winding paths of Jiangnan gardens.
Behind the winding path, there is nothing more than the universe. In the four corners of the original factory, there were eight authentic old houses that were relocated from Anhui, Jiangxi and other places as a whole. Bringing the essence of traditional culture across thousands of miles and ancient and modern times. The classic structure of Huizhou architecture blends seamlessly with modern factory architecture, complementing each other perfectly. Bringing the essence of traditional Chinese culture, the subtle and elegant lifestyle of ancient people, and the tranquil and natural way of life, to modern audiences in an appropriate way. No wonder this place is regarded as a classic of factory renovation.

The world of Sumeru, where Vajra hides the universe

The core of Taihui Life Culture Park is the Diamond Museum. As a Buddhist term, 'Vajra' refers to the indestructible and irreplaceable Dharma that cannot be destroyed or replaced in Mahayana Buddhist scriptures. Such a beautiful blessing, used to name the museum that houses the treasures of the world, is also appropriate.

This huge space, transformed from a factory building, covers an area of over 20000 square meters. Through the skillful hands of the designer, the industrialized assembly line style has been removed, and everywhere is 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 with a large one.

Here, there are over 40000 rare collections of various art pieces, including cultural relics, calligraphy and painting, sculpture, contemporary art, stone carving, cultural relics, ancient architecture, and more. Classified into ten major exhibition halls, including the Tea Museum, Oil Painting Museum, Maritime Painting School Museum, Watercolor Museum, Glass Art Museum, Sculpture Museum, Crystal Museum, Ancient Stone Carving Museum, Jade Museum, and Lin Exhibition Hall, various themed exhibitions, famous artist exhibitions, and special exhibitions are held year-round.

You can wander the art hall of the painting world and converse with the masterpieces of Master Feng Zikai; In the time tunnel of the Tea Museum, savor the timeless fragrance that melts into the soul; At the Crystal and Jade Pavilion, marvel at the beauty of nature and the exquisite treasures created by skilled craftsmanship. Opening the cellar of Pu erh tea in the ancient Huizhou architecture, the dancing tea spirit, in the hands of the tea fairy, releases a natural and soul stirring fragrance.

Entering the museum, in addition to the huge screen on the entire wall that takes you to the tea garden mountains, there is also a jade mountain on the side of the hall that attracts attention. How can a piece of natural stone, nurtured by nature, be presented on top of this jade through the skillful hands and hearts of an artistic master, using different levels of color, pattern, and texture to convey the essence of nature through human hands.
Before entering the exhibition hall, I was shocked by this masterpiece and even more eagerly anticipated the collection inside.

Each treasure is of great value, and in order to allow everyone to appreciate it up close, many collections in the exhibition hall do not use glass covers. When visiting, everyone must be particularly civilized.

Do you know the universe depicted by the master at the Sea Painting School

A thousand skills in national art, with painting as the priority. Traditional literati and scholars, no matter what they excel at, are required to master traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy. The 'Maritime Painting School' rooted in old Shanghai is a typical representative of the integration and development of modern traditional Chinese painting and Western techniques. Museums that cultivate in Shanghai are bound to excel in this area of collection.
The Maritime Painting School Museum collects and displays representative works from various periods of the Maritime Painting School from the late Qing Dynasty to contemporary times, showcasing the style of the "Maritime Painting School" that inherits traditional Tang and Song techniques and extensively draws on the advantages of folk and Western painting art.

Upon entering, I was immediately drawn to Feng Zikai's' Infinite Life Buddha '. This heavyweight figure in the 20th century Chinese art scene is indispensable, with knowledge spanning almost all fields of art, including calligraphers, painters, writers, essayists, translators, and theorists of art and music education. The achievements of the master are breathtaking.
Feng Zikai's surviving works are relatively small. The value of this painting, which is so large in size and symbolizes auspiciousness, is entangled in geometry. Consider it for Tibetan friends.

Feng Zikai once studied under the most miraculous literary and artistic master of modern times, Li Shutong (Master Hongyi), a legendary figure with extensive knowledge, who achieved heights in multiple artistic fields that are difficult for future generations to reach.
Every time I read about his legendary life, I marvel at the wonders of nature. The vast majority of people have yet to comprehend a single path, yet there is such an extraordinary person who can enter and exit multiple realms at the same time, while also comprehending the essence of Zen. It is truly awe inspiring.
In the exhibition of the museum, the Dharma image of Master Hongyi was also found. Quiet and peaceful, calming the heart.

A set of six vertical axes of "Meticulous Brush Characters", written by Master Huang Shanshou, is also fascinating. Ladies and gentlemen, elegant and beautiful, elegant and graceful, soaring on paper. Shasha is fortunate to have learned traditional Chinese painting for several years. Although she did not delve into the subject, she learned about the brilliance of the master's paintings.

As a local painting school in Shanghai, the maritime painting school, like this city, is both inclusive and up-to-date. The modern Shanghai style paintings collected in the museum also reflect this fusion and development.

Master Han Tianheng's "Lotus Pond" and Master Shi Dawei's "Character Charm" both make people stop and admire the vastness and brilliance of the painting sea. Between the strokes of the brush and ink, there is a rhythmic spirit that records the wonders of the world and the universe in their minds on paper, allowing them to be passed on to future generations.

Tea Museum: The timeless fragrance that blends water into the soul

Tea lovers should not miss the Mingyue Tea Museum.
Throughout history, literati and scholars have all loved tea. The story of this leaf has been written for thousands of years. From the essence endowed by nature, to the ingenuity of the tea maker, to the craftsmanship of the tea artist... When the warm tea soup enters the throat, there is life rhythm and breath beside the ear.
Shasha is also a tea lover and enjoys drinking tea in her daily life. But the Mingyue Tea Museum also opened my eyes. You may be able to distinguish the characteristics of black tea, green tea, oolong tea, white tea, black tea, and flower tea, but do you know how the tea culture has changed over the past thousand years, what are the characteristics of tea utensils in different dynasties, and the past and present of modern tea schools? There are answers in these tea museums.

The Mingyue Tea Museum is probably the most comprehensive and rich collection of tea museums in Shanghai.
Starting from the historical inheritance of tea making tools, the comprehensive collection here showcases the budding of Chinese tea culture in the Qin and Han dynasties, the craftsmanship process 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. It's mind opening.

Do you know the differences between the excavated Tang Dynasty tea cakes and modern tea cakes?

Do you know which part of the accompanying tea set in the Qing Dynasty is Han, which part is Manchu, and which part is Mongolian?

Of course, a dazzling array of ceramic tea sets is indispensable, from blue and white to purple clay, from Jianzhan to Jun kiln. Does this cheongsam specially worn by Sasha match well with this blue and white dress?

What is commendable is that the Tea Museum also has a collection of numerous Chinese and Japanese iron and silver teapots, with representative works of various teapot making schools presented. This is Sasha's knowledge blind spot, visible in her eyes and learned in her heart.

In addition to tea utensils, tea collection is also a proud presence of the entire museum. There are over 50 tons of tea stored in the Mingyue Tea Expo. The footprints of the Tea Fairy have traveled to over a hundred untamed ancient tea mountains in Yunnan. In collaboration with professional organizations such as the China International Tea Culture Research Association, the Tea Industry Development Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and the Tea Department of Zhejiang University, they collected tea samples from these 100 tea mountains and built this amazing ancient tea gene bank.
Standing in front of countless tea samples, you will understand that tea is a gift from nature, but more importantly, it is the result of human efforts. From selecting tea leaves, to making tea, to tea making, to tea etiquette... This culture is not just about tea, but has already been passed down for thousands of years and penetrated into our blood.

Have you ever been tempted to brew a pot of this tea after learning about the veins of this tea in this tea museum? Wait a minute, after watching the exhibition, I'll take you to have some good tea alone.

Crystal Pavilion: Crystal Clear, Linglong Heart

What is a crystal collectible? Is it a chemical name like silicon dioxide crystal. This naturally endowed crystal clear and exquisite mineral deposit, combined with the integration of master craftsmen's skills and ideas, can be considered the first and foremost crystal collectible.
In the poem "Changsheng Hall" by Qing Hongsheng, it is said: "The cool toad rises high in the pavilion, and the curtain rolls and the wind reflects the crystal.

The Crystal Pavilion next to the Tea Museum satisfies your luxurious desires for crystal treasures. Here, there are pure crystals with flawless white ice, either pure and transparent, or slightly tipsy red powder, combined with exquisite carving techniques, which are truly awe inspiring. From ancient times to the present, crystals have been sought after by people, that's why.

Compared to clear ice, I prefer crystals with naturally occurring minerals and green spirits. Those small companions seem like a joke played by nature on you: like silk, flames, or gold and iron, they give life to the crystal, presenting rich and colorful changes, giving infinite imagination.

The crystal carvings here are mostly in the shape of Buddha statues, and the spirituality of crystals echoes the emptiness and stillness of Buddha's charm, which makes people admire and cannot be disturbed.

Jade Pavilion: The beauty of nature awaits even more exquisite craftsmanship

Huashu weaves jade, while Jinzhun plays with dragons. The hooves were light and steady, and the fragrant dust rumbled on the ground.
Jade and jadeite have a relatively short history in ancient China. But this red and green, with a hint of pink in the green, perfectly reflects the traditional culture of celebration and auspiciousness. Let this hard jade originating from Myanmar become a sought after gemstone by countless people in modern times.
Shasha once lived in the ancient town of Heshun in Tengchong, western Yunnan. The caravan roads that traveled back and forth for hundreds of years, the jade channels carried by horses, extended from the deep mountains of northern Myanmar all the way to the palaces and noble families, and then gradually spread the name of jade to the world. Between these jade stones, the story goes on for a long time.

The preciousness of jade lies in its texture, from glass to ice to glutinous. The natural force of change compresses within this inch, presenting a wonderful distinction between high and low; The beauty of jade lies in its color. Emperor green is certainly exciting, but the endless variations between green and pink are even more awe inspiring; The soul of jade lies in its craftsmanship. Art masters understand the softness and hardness of texture, as well as the changes in color. Only with a carving knife infused with the power of the soul can a piece of raw jade be transformed into a timeless masterpiece with artistic spirituality.
The Jade Pavilion of Taihui Life gathers the classic art works of the most influential contemporary jade carving masters. The exquisite design and natural color changes can only be admired. No wonder some people describe it as the highest level of contemporary jade carving art.

Sculpture Gallery: The Artistic Power that pierces through the Heart

If the Crystal Museum and the Jade Museum showcase the achievements of artists on the shoulders of nature, then the Sculpture Museum is a masterpiece created by art masters from their personal hearts.
Here, more than 80 wonderful works created by three generations of Chinese sculptors, including the elderly, middle-aged, and young, are gathered. From the magnificent waves created by the older generation of leaders, to the detailed depictions that reflect social reality, and then to the imaginative and abstract imagination. Visiting slowly is like opening up the development history of modern Chinese sculpture.

In front of each sculpture, what you see is not the sculpture itself, but a dialogue that transcends time and space with the creator through the sculpture. Perhaps you cannot comprehend the author's intention, perhaps you will suddenly realize it, but isn't this process just an artistic practice of self-cultivation?

Watercolor Painting Studio: Artistic Photography Machine in a Square Inch

Perhaps there is no painting form that is closer to ordinary learners than watercolor painting. Many people's impression of childhood painting classes may be sketching and watercolor.
When I first saw the watercolor painting studio, I was a little surprised. Because watercolor paintings are mostly fresh and bright small landscapes, there are no large-scale works that have been passed down through generations. But after visiting the watercolor painting museum, it turns out that the master's watercolor paintings still have such a flexible and realistic charm.

These watercolor sketches, although not very large in size, vividly depict precious historical moments and recreate specific landscapes of time tunnels. You can find the Bund of the past, the ancient town water town of the past, or the joy of harvest in the countryside, or the passion of large-scale production here... The painter uses the changes in color intensity to freeze each vivid moment in a square inch. Unlike the realistic portrayal of historical photographs, this contrast between light and dark creates a clever combination of virtual and real elements, giving people more fun in imagination and a lively and moving impression.

Oil Painting Gallery: The Artistic Charm of the Illusion of Great Men's Poetry

Compared to the exquisite watercolor painting studio, the oil painting studio will be awe inspiring in another form. Elegant yet detailed, leaving a lasting impression.
When we visited, it was the themed exhibition: 'Eastern Red - Mao Zedong Poetry and Painting Collection Exhibition'. One by one, the giant oil paintings fully reproduce the magnificent revolutionary history led by a generation of great men.
Interestingly, each masterpiece here corresponds to a poem by Chairman Mao. How many songs do you know?

This magnificent giant oil painting should be from the Battle of Crossing the Yangtze River, compared to "The People's Liberation Army Occupys Nanjing". "It is advisable for the remaining brave soldiers to pursue the poor invaders, not to seek fame and learn from the tyrants

This ancient imperial painting must be - "Cherish the Qin Emperor and Han Wu, slightly inferior to literary talent; Tang Zong and Song Zu, slightly inferior to elegance. A generation of heavenly pride, Genghis Khan, only knew how to bow and shoot large eagles

How many other songs do you recognize? It is recommended to prepare a complete collection of poems and verses when visiting. Searching one by one, it's not fun either.

Tea Tasting Event: Dancing Elves in the Hands of Tea Fairy

A leaf, falling into the water, changed the taste of the water, and thus tea was born.
Visiting each museum one by one makes one feel thirsty. Especially after visiting the Tea Museum, where there are abundant tea cellars and a gene pool of hundreds of tea mountains. Then come with me to the tea room in the museum and appreciate how these lively tea leaves transform into a intoxicating tea aroma in the hands of the legendary tea fairy.
Visiting museums, you will always 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 classic tea making techniques of inheritors of tea intangible cultural heritage, to the brewing of professional tea artists, every piece of tea that enters the throat here has its own exquisite craftsmanship from the source.
In the afternoon sunshine, we sat in the tea room in the courtyard of the museum, enjoying the aroma of tea with ID cards.

Awakening "is the identity symbol of this tea, sealed with silver and separated by water and taste. Open this precious 2014 ancient Pu erh tree, which has been brewed for 6 years. Awakening tea follows the ancient method of manual slow fermentation. It takes a long year from picking spring tea to drying and fermenting, which is not the taste of modern rapid fermentation. So this tea room contains the taste of sunshine from 7 years ago.

Good tea also needs to be able to brew, and the final process of tea leaves requires a lot of attention to detail. Different teas have different water temperatures and brewing sequences. The reunion of dehydrated tea leaves and water requires the complete release of the deeply hidden aromatic factors.

What impressed me most was the confidence in the origin and production process of tea, and the realization that brewing tea does not require the usual step of "washing tea". I am particularly impressed by this, as someone who knows a little about tea.
After seeing the steps of the Tea Fairy, I couldn't help but get started and learn this beautiful and elegant tea art. The appearance is easy to learn, but this understanding of tea nature can only be self comforting.

When boiling water is poured into the pot, the curly tea leaves will exult like a reborn spirit, mixing the fragrant essence of nature into the water, scattering it into the air, and forgetting the customs when smelling it.

Taking a light sip of amber tea soup, the heat flows into the throat, and the fragrance seems to permeate every pore from the depths of the heart to the whole body. Worry and clear thoughts, as if there is Zen music in my ears.

Huizhou style ancient architecture, with Qiankun inside

Along the winding wooden boardwalk, I want to explore the several Huizhou style ancient buildings discovered during aerial photography. Look at that pink wall and black tiled room, what kind of historical stories are there.

Still water flows through the lotus pond in late summer, crosses a small bridge, and embraces the rejuvenated old house. Unlike the treasures stored under the eaves, isn't this building itself the most precious collectible?

The wooden beams and columns in the old house, although newly restored, still look the same as before. The former courtyard has been transformed into an environmentally friendly sunroof, providing a comfortable yet not dim atmosphere.
The indoor display still retains the classical charm of the past, but also exudes modern design aesthetics everywhere. Drinking tea to nourish the heart and conversing with time in such an old courtyard, surely one can achieve more transcendence, right?!

Staying in Thailand: A reclusive retreat from the world of art

Behind the museum is the supporting Thai Hotel. For friends who come from afar or tourists who want to linger for a few more days, it is the best choice. Especially here, the distance to Shanghai Wildlife Park and Disneyland is quite close, so a three-day itinerary is a good choice to explore the museum and these two attractions together.
The style of the hotel and the natural blend of the museum are both modern Chinese styles that are unforgettable. Choose a room name full of ancient charm, and fall asleep peacefully under the influence of traditional Chinese culture, putting aside the troubles and complexities of the city for now. Give yourself a complete relaxation both physically and mentally.

Eating in Tai: The Original Ecological Taste of Rolling Tongue

The dinner party is held in the park. What we need for weekend outings is this authentic taste.
No need for big fish and meat, seasonal ingredients combined with fresh local ingredients, paired with authentic cooking methods, are enough to comfort the stomach and heart for relaxed people.

Tea appointment with the fragrance of tea, accompanying hand to hand life

If you still can't forget the fragrance of tea from before, the museum's cultural and creative gift shop has various gift box packaging for sale, paired with an exquisite tea set, bringing this unforgettable tea fragrance home is also a good choice.
If you are interested in the classical costumes of Tea Fairy, you can also buy them here.

More Tips

1. Ticket price:
The admission ticket to the Diamond Museum is 100 yuan per person, and there is a discount for purchasing tickets on the OTA platform. You can place an order online in advance.
In addition to museum visits, there are also irregular study and meditation activities. It is recommended that interested babies pay attention to the official website in advance.

2. Free ticket policy:
a. Children under 6 years old (inclusive) are free of charge. Children under 1.2 meters in height (inclusive) are eligible for free admission
b. Elderly people aged 70 and above (with original ID card) are free of charge.
c. Retired cadres (with retirement certificate) are free of charge.
d. Disabled persons (with disability identification) are free of charge.

3. Opening hours
9: 30-17:30 PM (Tuesday to Sunday)

4. Suggested playtime:
Suggest arranging museum tours and Shanghai Wildlife Park together, especially for parent-child travel
It is recommended to visit a separate museum for 1.5 to 2 days

5. Transportation:
Recommend driving there.
It is recommended to take a taxi to the Wildlife Park Station on Metro Line 16 for public transportation.

[Afterword]

The fragrance of tea dissipated, and what I realized was this casual attitude that was largely hidden in the market. When the fast pace of the city forces us to let go of a lot, it also burdens us with more.
Perhaps those who pay attention to their inner selves, treat themselves well, and are better at living will be rewarded with the most comfortable life.