The Most Famous Tea Houses in China

China’s tea culture is one of the oldest in the world, with deep historical roots and regional variations. Tea houses in China are not only places to enjoy a cup of tea but also serve as cultural hubs where people gather to socialize, enjoy traditional performances, and immerse themselves in local tea customs. Below is a list of some of the most famous and culturally significant tea houses across China, offering both traditional and modern experiences.

1. National Chain Brand Tea Houses

These tea houses are renowned for their widespread presence, reputation, and standardized services across China.

Tianfu Tea (天福茗茶)

Origin: Taiwan
Specialty: Known for its extensive range of teas, particularly Tie Guan Yin (铁观音) and Pu’er tea (普洱茶).
Experience: As a leading tea brand, Tianfu Tea boasts over a thousand stores and offers a highly standardized service with a focus on quality and variety.

Zhang Yiyuan (张一元)

Origin: Beijing (北京)
Specialty: Famous for Jasmine tea (茉莉花茶), which is an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Experience: This century-old tea house is a staple of Beijing’s tea culture, representing the city’s long-standing tea traditions.

Wu Yutai (吴裕泰)

Origin: Beijing (北京)
Specialty: Jasmine tea and Green tea (绿茶).
Experience: With a history dating back to the Ming Dynasty, Wu Yutai is a renowned name, offering high-quality teas and exclusive Forbidden City (故宫) tea gifts.

Da Yi Tea (大益茶)

Origin: Yunnan Province (云南省)
Specialty: Famous for its Pu’er tea (普洱茶) and advanced fermentation techniques.
Experience: Da Yi Tea is recognized as the benchmark for Pu’er tea, offering collectible teas with high market recognition.

China Tea (CHINATEA) (中茶)

Origin: State-owned enterprise under COFCO Group
Specialty: Offers a variety of teas including Green tea, Black tea, and Oolong tea.
Experience: As one of the largest tea producers in China, China Tea is known for its standard-setting role in the national tea industry.

Chayanyuese (茶颜悦色)

Origin: China
Specialty: New-style tea drinks, particularly milk tea and creative cultural tea products.
Experience: This modern tea house combines traditional tea culture with contemporary aesthetics and has become popular for its unique tea offerings.

Naixue’s Tea (奈雪の茶)

Origin: China
Specialty: High-end tea drinks paired with soft European-style breads.
Experience: With a focus on fashionable design and an upscale tea-drinking experience, Naixue’s Tea attracts urbanites looking for a modern, chic tea experience.

2. Regional Cultural Tea Houses

These tea houses reflect the local tea culture and offer a traditional tea-drinking experience tied to the region’s unique heritage.

Lao She Tea House (老舍茶馆)

Location: Beijing (北京)
Experience: A cultural landmark that combines Peking opera (京剧) and Crosstalk performances (相声) with the experience of drinking tea. Guests can enjoy traditional tea served in Gaiwan (盖碗) cups along with imperial-style snacks.

Shunxing Old Tea House (顺兴老茶馆)

Location: Chengdu (成都)
Specialty: Known for combining Sichuan Opera face-changing performances (川剧变脸) with traditional tea ceremonies.
Experience: This tea house offers a unique cultural experience that showcases Bashu (巴蜀) folk traditions and Sichuanese hospitality.

Biquan Tea House (碧泉茶室)

Location: Suzhou (苏州)
Specialty: Famous for serving Biluochun tea (碧螺春) in a beautiful garden setting.
Experience: Located next to the famous Zhuo Zheng Yuan (拙政园), this tea house offers a serene environment where visitors can enjoy tea and listen to Jiangnan Pingtan (江南评弹), a traditional style of folk music.

Jingxin Tea House (静心茶室)

Location: Shanghai (上海)
Specialty: Known for serving rock tea (岩茶) and offering tea ceremony salons.
Experience: This stylish tea house is located on the Bund (外滩) and is popular with professionals seeking a relaxing escape in the city.

Wangfu Tea House (王府茶楼)

Location: Beijing (北京)
Specialty: Themed around the classic Chinese novel Dream of the Red Chamber (红楼梦), with tea named after characters such as Daiyu Tea (黛玉茶).
Experience: Located within the Grand View Garden (大观园), this tea house offers an immersive experience in classical Chinese literature and tea culture.

3. Business and Leisure Fusion Tea Spaces

These modern tea houses combine tea with business and leisure, catering to both work and relaxation.

BOSS LOUNGE Tea House

Location: Nationwide
Experience: An exclusive, automated tea house offering a premium experience to entrepreneurs and business executives. It operates on a membership basis, providing high-end services to its members.

Carving Time (雕刻时光)

Location: Nationwide
Specialty: A café turned into a tea space, offering hand-poured tea and hosting book clubs.
Experience: This creative space is perfect for those who enjoy tea and literature, offering a tranquil environment for tea lovers and readers alike.

Cha Baiwei (茶百味)

Location: Nationwide
Specialty: A chain of tea houses catering to families and offering DIY tea drink experiences.
Experience: Focused on creating a fun and interactive environment for tea lovers, particularly families, to enjoy making and drinking tea together.

4. Other Highly Rated Tea Houses

Mingxiangge (茗香阁)

Location: Nationwide
Specialty: A combination of tea accessories and tea culture courses.
Experience: Targeted at the middle class, Mingxiangge offers a refined tea experience, blending the love of tea with cultural education.

Yiye Tea House (一叶茶庄)

Specialty: Specializes in organic tea and promotes a healthy lifestyle.
Experience: The tea house’s natural and Zen-like environment provides a peaceful setting for tea lovers looking to connect with nature.

Youran Tea House (悠然茶舍)

Specialty: A community-focused tea space offering affordable tea drinks along with chess and board games.
Experience: This tea house offers a relaxed, social atmosphere for local tea enthusiasts and those looking for a casual tea experience.

Ziyun Tea (紫韵茶业)

Location: Fujian Province (福建省)
Specialty: Known for its white tea (白茶) and rock tea (岩茶).
Experience: Ziyun Tea focuses on direct sourcing from the tea’s origin, providing customers with the purest and most authentic tea experience.

TAETEA (Da Yi Tea) (大益茶)

Location: Menghai (勐海)
Specialty: Known for Pu’er tea (普洱茶), which has gained popularity as an investment commodity.
Experience: A well-established brand in the Pu’er tea market, TAETEA is popular among tea collectors and investors looking to purchase high-quality, aged teas.

From the historic charm of Lao She Tea House (老舍茶馆) in Beijing (北京) to the modern elegance of Naixue’s Tea (奈雪の茶), China’s tea houses offer a wide variety of experiences that highlight the country’s diverse tea culture. Whether you are looking to enjoy traditional tea ceremonies, learn about tea culture, or simply relax with a cup of tea, these tea houses provide a rich, immersive experience into China’s centuries-old tea heritage.