When entertaining visitors, it is customary for the host to 敬茶 (jìng chá), serve them tea with courtesy, but not necessarily observing strict formalities. Today 茶艺 (chá yì), Tea Art, is only performed in the grandest teahouses. There are different names in China for business establishments that specialize in serving tea, such as 茶馆 (chá guǎn), teahouse, 茶室 (chá shì), tea parlor and 茶楼 (chá lóu), two-story teahouse, depending on their size and price list.

There are few pleasures that match escaping from the hustle and heat of a summer day to a teahouse, ordering a pot of tea and some 茶点(chá diǎn), or dim sum, and basking in peace and relaxation for a few hours.