Beijing is home to some of China's most fascinating tea traditions - from historic tea houses to famous local varieties and time-honored brewing rituals.
Beijing's signature tea - jasmine flowers scented over green tea leaves over multiple nights. Famed tea houses like Lao She Tea House serve it with traditional snacks. The dry northern climate makes jasmine tea particularly popular for its soothing qualities.
Full name: Jasmine Tea (茉莉花茶)
Beijing's most iconic tea house - traditional Peking opera excerpts, calligraphy performances, and authentic jasmine tea service in an authentic hutong setting. Tea service included with ticket.
Full name: Lao She Tea House (老舍茶馆)
Famous tea market near Qianmen where visitors can taste and purchase authentic jasmine tea, pu'er from Yunnan, and other famous Chinese teas at reasonable prices.
Full name: Kaiyuan Tea Market (凯安茶叶市场)
Classic Beijing winter warmer - dried chrysanthemum flowers brewed hot with rock sugar. Sold at street vendors and traditional tea houses throughout the city. Known for its cooling properties.
Full name: Chrysanthemum Tea (菊花茶)
Beijing has a long tradition of aging and collecting pu'er tea from Yunnan. Many traditional tea houses have pu'er cakes aged for decades - the older the cake, the more prized.
Full name: Pu'er Tea (普洱茶)
Historic tea houses inside the Summer Palace grounds serve imperial-style tea service in beautiful lakeside settings - a serene tea experience with views of Kunming Lake.
Full name: Summer Palace Tea Pavilions (颐和园茶社)
The fascinating history behind Beijing's tea culture
Beijing's tea culture began during the Ming Dynasty when the imperial court established tea as the official drink for ceremonies. Jasmine tea was first developed during this period - tea merchants would scent leaves with jasmine flowers to mask the taste of transported tea.
The Qing Dynasty saw the golden age of Beijing's tea houses. Lao She Tea House was established and became the center of intellectual and social life. The tradition of tea with snacks became embedded in Beijing culture.
Beijing's tea houses are experiencing a renaissance with younger generations rediscovering traditional tea culture. New tea ceremony schools have opened in the hutongs. The Lao She Tea House has introduced English-language programs for international visitors.
Our licensed English-speaking Beijing guides can help you visit the best tea houses, understand tea ceremonies, and purchase authentic teas.
Book a Beijing Guide Now