Banquet at the Red Mansion ….. In the mid-1980s, CCTV established a TV program called, “Dream of the Red Mansion”, the Chinese version of Romeo and Juliet, albeit Chinese style with a very unusual twist. As a prominent family that produced public officials, life was one of ostentation and extravagance. The novel details love, family feasts, large and small, and grand banquets. Imagine as you walk to your venue, the silhouettes of willow trees bordered a winding moat and stone arches were hung with glowing red lanterns. At the entrance to the restaurant, a woman in full court regalia, including an elaborate headdress will greet you and your participants. Walking through an archway framed by two miniature elephants you will enter a marble courtyard. Once in the dining room, the golden domed ceiling and large lantern-shaped chandelier will dazzle you. After hearing a brief introduction from a passage from the novel, settle into the ambience of the novel’s environment. Participants sit in carts and sedans and are accompanied by a large number of attendants holding flags with patterns of the dragon and phoenix, canapés and horsetail whisks followed by a procession of people and chariots. The banquet begins with the introduction and service of dishes in red lacquer boxes. Note that the various dishes are the most interesting part of the novel. Each course of the banquet is specially designed and based on the descriptions in the classic story. Every dish symbolizes an allusion or a wonderful passage from the novel. In the background the band strikes up Chinese classical music from the play. Experience this Red Mansion Banquet first hand on your site visit to China!