The level of fame of Tianhuizhai
The people in the pear orchard have a special fondness for snuff, and Tianzhai is a place they often go. If you want to find a famous character, you can definitely find one at Tianhuizhai. Tan Xinpei, Yang Yuelou, Ma Lianliang, Tan Fuying, Li Duokui, Jin Shaoshan, and others are all old customers of Tianhuizhai snuff shop.
In order to express gratitude to Tianhuizhai, Yang Xiaolou, Yu Shuyan, and Mei Lanfang once jointly presented a plaque with the four characters "Fragrant and Beautiful Heart Clear" on it. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, in the 16th year of the Guangxu reign, Tan Xinpei, known as the "king of the entertainment industry," had a good relationship with the owner of Tianhuizhai. Before the Xinhai Revolution, Tan Xinpei personally visited Tianhuizhai to buy snuff, and for a while, the number of people buying snuff at Tianhuizhai increased significantly.
Tianhuizhai is a frequent guest in the writings of literati, and its story is vividly depicted in writers Deng Youmei's "Nasal Smoke" and Xiao Fuxing's "Our Old Courtyard".
The development process and cultural value of Tianhuizhai are detailed in books such as "Xuannan Time honored Brands", "Xuanwu Literature and History" Volume 1, and "Beijing Xicheng Time honored Brand Genealogy Series".
The business characteristics of Tianhui Zhai
Tianhuizhai snuff emphasizes good ingredients and fine craftsmanship. High quality snuff should be smoked five or six times, with the characteristics of long, soft, and less irritating floral fragrance. When applied to the nostrils, first smell the floral fragrance and gradually smell the smoke fragrance.
The nasal smoke in Tianhuizhai is divided into ten levels: Level 1 is called Gao Wanlu, Level 2 is called Wan Xinlu, Level 3 is called Wan Xianlu, Level 4 is called Wan Ruilu, Level 5 is called Gao Wanhualu, Level 6 is called Wan Hualu, Level 7 is called Yu Zhi Lu, Level 8 is called Jasmine Lu, Level 9 is called Shuanghua Xun, and Level 10 is called Base Snuff. In the late Qing Dynasty, two pairs of good snuff were worth the same as a bag of 44 pounds of flour at that time.
The establishment of Tianhuizhai
The oldest snuff shop in Beijing is Tianzhai on Dashilan South Road outside Qianmen Gate. Tianhuizhai was founded during the reign of Emperor Daoguang of the Qing Dynasty (1821-1850). Yang Yunfeng, a Manchu, saw the great potential of the snuff business and found a storefront on the south side of the east entrance road near the large fence outside the front gate. He opened a snuff shop with the name "Juxingzhai" and the business was quite prosperous. But this scene didn't last long. In 1900, the Eight Nation Alliance ignited a fire, causing many old brands in Dashilan to be burned to ashes. Later, the reorganized snuff shop welcomed customers again, with a new name of "Tianhui Zhai". Although it was a small storefront with three stories high stairs, customers flocked to it in an endless stream.
At that time, Tianhuizhai's snuff not only sold well in Beijing, but also exported to Inner Mongolia, Xi'an, the three northeastern provinces, Henan, Shanghai and other places. The sales in the eastern Hebei region were also quite large.
Tianhuizhai snuff shop is revitalized
In 1937, the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japan had a significant impact on the commercial development of Beijing. Later, due to the emergence of cigarettes, snuff gradually declined.
In 1956, China completed its socialist transformation and Tianhuizhai was under the jurisdiction of Xuanwu District Subsidiary Food Company in Beijing.
In 1960, it was merged into Dashilan Juqingzhai Pastry Shop, with its business address at No. 21 Dashilan Street, Xuanwu District, Beijing. The snuff was attached to the paper cigarette counter and ceased operations in the 1970s.
In 1982, Dashilan Food Mall opened at 21 Dashilan Street. In early 1989, the mall resumed selling snuff.
In 1998, Dashilan Food Mall re established the Tianhuizhai snuff counter.
In 2004, Beijing Jincheng Xinheng Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Beijing Jinyuan Investment Management Co., Ltd., established Dashilan Food Mall, and the Tianhuizhai snuff counter continued to operate in the mall.
In 2009, Beijing Jincheng Xinheng Co., Ltd. Dashilan Food Mall obtained a trademark registration certificate, as the registered trademark of Class 34 of "Tianhuizhai" with registration number 5430738.
In 2012, Zhengxingde Tea House, a century old tea house in Beijing, settled in Dashilan Commercial Street, and Tianhuizhai snuff shop set up a counter inside the tea house.
In 2022, Beijing Jincheng Xinheng Co., Ltd. has obtained the newly registered trademark number 47892795 "Tianhuizhai".
In 2024, Tianhuizhai will shine with new vitality, and the Tianhuizhai Nasal Smoke Culture Museum will resume operations at No. 26 Xizhuan Hutong South in Xicheng District, making it the only store in Beijing to date. Presenting a three-dimensional historical picture to the audience through displays, exhibitions, and other forms, immersing them in intangible cultural heritage skills, is more about passing on culture to future generations and providing profound cultural heritage for society. Welcome all customers to visit.
