Shine and Thirlwall then set about looking for the right place and settled on a hutong.
"Hutong is synonymous with Beijing," says Thirlwall.
"These structures are unique to Beijing and very representative of its landscape even though there aren't very many left now."
They found a house in a hutong and over six months refurbished the 8-bedroom place, breaking walls and expanding rooms.
The Hutong now has a big kitchen, spacious hall, tiny room for Shine and private tea room.
In October 2007, Shine, Thirlwall and friends Celestina and Alex Tan opened for business, offering at first three core workshops - tea, TCM and cooking.
The Hutong gang soon swelled to 27 attracting teachers from across the world. The organization now offers 34 different workshops.
The teachers (including Shine and Thirlwall) form an assorted group; Shine teaches art, Thirlwall, Celestina and Joel Shuhat conduct the tea workshops and have their respective tea businesses; Alex Tan teaches TCM and has his own practice; Sandra teaches Sichuan cooking and designs websites, and Gulistan conducts the noodle workshop, and is an artist and a lecturer.
The Hutong even roped in a neighbor, a chef at a local restaurant, to conduct workshops on southern dishes.
But finding the right people, says Thirlwall, isn't easy. "A lot of people are good at a lot of things. Few can teach," he says. "I've met some really lovely people but they have not been the best of teachers."
Shine points out that since everyone involved with The Hutong is there because of his/her interests, the organization has seen a natural evolution.
The Hutong is able to continue because none of the teachers depend financially on it.
"Everyone has a career but they are here because they are passing on their passions," says Thirlwall.
For instance, because of her interest in life drawing, Shine is now planning to conduct life-drawing workshops. "I started life drawing in China because a friend of mine who did it in Australia was here and wanted to continue doing it," she says.
"We've grown from our respective interests. It really is a lifestyle choice, being exposed to different cultures."
She would know considering she even spends the long, cold Beijing winters in the hutong without heating or hot water.
"Sometimes I'll go over to a friend's place for a shower though," she laughs.
Both Shine and Thirlwall understand that China is "our host" and are mindful of the nuances. "We don't play loud music or tango on the terrace," says Shine.
Thirlwall says their relationship goes beyond the landlord. "This is a relationship with the people," he says. "A big part of doing anything here involves balance and respect. So while we don't intrude, we try to be open and friendly."
By:Marisha Thakur
Editor: Shi Liwei
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