Woo had no idea how right his friend was. Visiting the area, the veteran photographer was immediately captivated by his surroundings, which seemed like a place torn out of time.

These tea houses, Woo later discovered, were not merely places for drinking tea, but also served as cultural hubs, where locals gathered for daily interactions and to forge emotional bonds.

“When I walked into the first old tea house, it felt like stepping through a tunnel back to the 1950s and 60s.

“The crumbling walls, the old wooden tables, bamboo chairs, the scent of tea filling the air, the strong presence of smoke and fire… all of this made me realise that this was a gradually disappearing form of culture. I had to cherish it and use my camera to record it,” Woo told FMT Lifestyle.

Woo would eventually visit old tea houses in the ancient towns of Luocheng, Sichuan, and Pengzhen in Shuangliu District, Chengdu, all throughout 2013.

His striking images, most captured in black and white, can be viewed at the Harmoni Sokka Gallery as part of the “Steeped in Time: Old Tea Houses Through the Lens of Harry Woo” photography exhibition this month.

Woo uses light, shadow, and composition to highlight the depth and subjectivity of his images, effectively capturing the unique atmosphere of these lively places.

“I try to use natural light to enhance the three-dimensionality of my pictures through contrasts of light and dark, while capturing people’s interactions to showcase the lively scenes between them.

“I hope these photographic techniques will provide viewers with a deeper understanding and experience,” Woo said.

He has always had a deep love of photography, having been introduced to the art of capturing images by his father, a professional photographer.

He officially joined the Malaysian Photography Society in 1980, becoming its president in 2001, a position he still holds today. His achievements have earned him the esteemed title of Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society (FRPS), UK.

According to Woo, he visited the old tea houses of Sichuan four times since 2013, with each visit lasting about two hours. During these shoots, he looked out for new perspectives to capture.

While shooting in the tea house, Woo said he would drink tea with the locals, but not arrange for gatherings, to ensure the interactions he captured were as real and natural as possible.

The photographer said he hopes his pictures will inspire conversations about cultural memories, human connection, and historical legacy. Each of his exhibited works, he said, carried a story of his own.

Woo fondly recalled an incident where he encountered a customer, known as the “Old Naughty Boy”, who blew smoke out of both sides of his mouth. The liveliness and amusement of this meeting is something he will always remember.

Thanks to the march of time, however, teahouse culture is slowly fading, Woo lamented. He hoped, however, to capture more scenes from this magical setting before it was completely lost to history.

“Today, many of the old tea houses are different from how they used to be. Some have been transformed into guesthouses or souvenir shops. Even so, I am still very interested in the old tea houses,” Woo concluded.

“While I may not specifically go there to shoot anymore, if the opportunity arises, I will still use my camera to record its changes.”

‘Steeped in Time: Old Tea Houses Through the Lens of Harry Woo’

Harmoni Soka Gallery
Wisma Kebudayaan SGM
243, Jalan Bukit Bintang
Kuala Lumpur

11am-5pm: Now till March 16 (Closed on Mondays)

For more information, visit Harmoni Soka Gallery’s website.