Why are Chinese actors sometimes called “children of the pear garden”?

Chinese actors are referred to as "children of the pear garden" (liyuan zidi) because of a school established during the Tang dynasty. In the 8th century, the emperor Xuanzong (also known as Minghuang) founded specialized schools within the palace city of Chang’an to train performers in music, dance, and acting. The school dedicated to acting was specifically named the Pear Garden (Liyuan).1

Because students at this imperial institution were supported by the state and trained under the emperor's patronage, the term became a lasting designation for Chinese performers.1