Laoshe Teahouse (pictured below)
The western section of the third floor at this teahouse is packed every evening. Tourists from home and abroad flock here to watch traditional Chinese performances over a cup of tea, and some typical Beijing snacks, in a traditional Chinese furnished ambience. On stage there is Peking Opera, cross talk, story telling accompanied by musical instruments, Sichuan face-changing stunts, acrobatics and martial art performances.
Set up in 1988, the founder of the teahouse started by serving tea in big bowls at a street stand. Now the three-floor building is home to two restaurants on the ground and third floors, one refined teahouse with tea ceremonies, and a tea and tea utensils store on the second floor. 6303-6830.
Biluxuan (Green Dew Teahouse)
The environment is elegant and beautiful. Elements of traditional Chinese culture, like paintings and scripture, can be found throughout the teahouse. A boat made according to the ancient painting of The Qingming Festival by the Riverside lies opposite the entrance as you enter. As well as sections for small groups separated by wooden screens, the house's private rooms are very beautiful, some named after poems about tea.
1/F, Block R, Huiyuan Apartment Building, Asian Games Village, 8497-7951; 1/F Apartment sector, St. Regis Hotel, 21 Jianwai Dajie. 6532-7008.
Yiqingquan Tea House
At the entrance, there is a little stream flowing under a stone bridge, with bamboo and brick carvings. The left of the teahouse is decorated in the traditional architectural style of North China, while the right side is decorated like south Chinese river towns, with little bridges and bamboo connecting the two sides. The whole house itself resembles a Suzhou miniature park, harmonious but full of decoration. The teahouse's private rooms display many of the owner's antique collections, including a huge ink stone, Chinese musical instrument yaoqin, calligraphy and ancient tea cups. One extravagant private room is said to be made of rosewood as well as 476 pieces of emerald.
Southeast corner of Madianqiao on North Third Ring Road, 2 Dewai Dajie, Xicheng District. 8207-6012.
Biboxuan (Green Waves Teahouse)
Natural and man-made beauty come together to make this the biggest and best teahouse in Miyun County. An ancient water cart and decorated archway stand at the entrance. The inside has a stream, with a bridge, an ancient tree and a boat. A lot of effort has gone into the hardwood furniture, vine chairs, and rosewood screens, as well as paintings and calligraphy works by top artists.
59-9 Shahe Chezhan Lu, Miyun County. 6908-3998.
Bishui Danshan (Green Water, Red Mountain)
Bishi Danshan is another name for Wuyi Mountain located in Fujian Province, which is famous for its yancha, tea on rocks. The decoration mimics that of landscape gardens in South China. There is an excellent tea ceremony performing group which performs dancing and singing as well as folk tea ceremonies.
To the west of Yuetan Police Station, Yuetan Nanjie, Xicheng District. 6805-0066.
Penglai Xianjing (Drink To Friends First)
This teahouse is constructed in the style of Fenghuang, an ancient city in west Hunan Province, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in China. Ancient city towers, with walls built of red sandstone stand beside the clear waters of Tuojiang River. The wood patterns, wax-dyed clothes, well and yard, reminds one immediately of the city. You can taste original tieguanyin, iron Kwan-yin tea, age-old pu'er, as well as more than 30 classic Chinese teas here.
34 Guangximen Beili, Xibahe, Chaoyang District. 6448-1803.
Wufu Teahouse
This teahouse started the trend of teahouses in the capital. Its ancient style rosewood furniture, stream and stone rails look like that of a river town in South China.
Bldg 3, Fuchengmenwai Dajie, Xicheng District. 6803-6467.
Longtuan Teahouse
Located inside the Media Center, next to CCTV, this teahouse is named after longtuan, a Song Dynasty tea presented to the emperor. Rooms are encircled by green bamboo and vine chairs.
Beijing Media Center, B11, Fuxing Lu. 6851-4422 Ext 1832.
Changpu Teahouse
Located inside Changpu River Park, this teahouse is a rare place at the center of the city. There is also good Chinese music playing, a wonderful tea ceremony, and a good view of the park. Inside Changpu River Park, 115 Nanchizi Dajie, Dongcheng District. 8511-3297.
(China Daily March 29, 2007)
