Winning blend makes return

A crosstalk fan nicknamed Zhang Xiaojian said he realized he could "only find the real crosstalk and enjoy the beauty of it in teahouses or small theaters" rather than through radio or television programs.

He said some senior crosstalk artists once said the only way for crosstalk to thrive again was for it to return to the teahouses, where it enjoyed huge popularity.

"The support from the State is also very important," Yin said. "Especially in recent years, President Xi Jinping has focused a lot on revitalizing our traditional culture."

Laoshe Teahouse, as one of the time-honored brands, was selected as a traditional cultural education base. Last year, it received 52 groups of students, ranging from kindergarten to university, on educational tours of traditional culture.

The teahouse has also kept abreast of the times, adding innovative elements to these shows, such as borrowing from cyberculture or using high tech to attract younger audiences.