Tea houses, or tea stalls are everywhere in Chengdu’s urban districts, towns, downtowns and countryside. “Music tea houses” alone, tea shops with background music going with tea, is counted in hundreds. Even nowadays, with quick pace of life, the Chengdu people are ready to enjoy leisure and still fond of tea. It is said that the Chengdu people consume several tons of tea every year.

Old-fashioned tea houses in the old Chengdu

There are many old-fashioned tea houses in Chengdu, which are occupied mostly by the elderly. They visit the tea houses even in the early morning. Some old folks are used to taking tobacco pipes over one-meter long when drinking tea. Sometimes when the pipe goes out, they are able to press the lighter on the ground and light up the pipe again, mimicking the action of fishing. In the tea houses, tea drinkers can spit on the ground as if there is no one else around, and wear nothing on the upper body with so much ease. These old-fashioned tea houses are often noisy, and the tea drinkers, strangers to each other, usually come from different places. They drink tea and chat with each other in the same tea house, but they care their own business. When their interest is aroused, they can talk about everything, from the stars in the sky to national or even international affairs, from ancient tales to street gossips. However, when the talking and drinking comes to an end, they head for their own ways.

Old-fashioned tea houses are simply and naturally decorated. Their antique flavor indeed embraces a different charm. Tea doctors are ready to serve you when you set foot in these tea houses. You can have your own way here. For example, a pot of light and fragrant tea proves to be an economical choice. More often than not, artisans will offer services like face-shaving, foot treatment and hair-braiding. Just because Sichuan is rich in bamboo, most of the furniture in tea houses is bamboo chairs. There are also a few cane chairs. Tea sets are generally Sichuan-style “lid-bowl”, or lidded bowl. The lid is used to stir the tea leaves, while the bowl is placed on the tea tray. After a few drinks, you can lean on the back of the bamboo chairs, with more comfort, ease and leisure than sitting on those armchairs, redwood chairs or sofa chairs in Guangzhou’s restaurants. Chengdu’s tea houses carry a strong personal touch. You can just pay for a cup of tea and idle away a whole day. If you have engagements elsewhere and have to leave but intend to return there, you can put the bowl lid on the chair when you leave. The shop owner will not clear off your tea sets, and other customers will not occupy your seat. You can indulge yourself in the tea houses as long as you like, without being resented or given hostile look. That is absolutely different from Guangzhou’s tea houses. In Chengdu’s tea houses, you can drink tea only. No dishes are served except for tea snacks like melon seeds and peanuts. This is another difference from Guangzhou’s tea houses.