Teahouses, in spite of what the name indicates, are not only places to savor fine tea. Some teahouses in Beijing stage a wonderful repertoire with local characteristics, like the Laoshe Teahouse and Tianqiaole Teahouse. Some may even provide snacks or food as well. As tea culture is part of Chinese culture, tea ceremony performances are presented in some very upscale teahouses. There are also some time-honored teahouses which prosper yet today. These teahouses are a good reflection of Beijing tea culture and are truly worth a thoughtful observer's eye.

Following are some recommended teahouses.

Laoshe Teahouse
Location: Building 3, Qianmen Xidajie, Tiananmen Square

Tel: 010-63036830 010-63021717
Feature: a most famous teahouse in Beijing, tea, performance ( Beijing Opera , acrobatics, magic and Beijing folk music)

Tianqiaole Teahouse

Location: No. Yi 1, Beiwei Lu, Xuanwu District
Tel: 010-63040617 63040912
Feature: Pingshu (story telling), cross-talk

Santaosha Teahouse
Location: No. Jia 1, Waiguan Xiejie, Chaoyang District
Tel: 010-85285000 85285108
Feature: Tea ceremony performance

Wufu Teahouse
Location: Building B, COFCO Plaza, No.8, Jianguomennei Dajie, Dongcheng Ditrict
Tel: 010-65266666-2123
Feature: Tea ceremony performance

Wuyutai Teahouse
Location: No.44, Dongsi Beidajie, Dongcheng District
Tel: 010-64041928
Feature: Tea, time-honored

Bichun Teahouse
Location: No.233, Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District
Tel: 010-65256141
Feature: Tea, time-honored

Zhangyiyuan Teahouse
Location: No.18, Wanming Lu, Xuanwu District
Tel: 010-63032056
Feature: Tea, time-honored

Yuanchanghou Teahouse
Location: No.13, Xuannei Dajie, Xicheng District
Tel: 010-66020515
Feature: Tea, time-honored

Yong'an Teahouse
Location: No.2, Xizhushikou Dajie, Xuanwu District
Tel: 010-63030749
Feature: Tea, time-honored

Qinglinchun Teahouse
Location: No.9, Qianmen Dajie, Xuanwu District
Tel: 010-63038512
Feature: Tea, time-honored

Wuzhaoxiang Teahouse
Location: No.104, Di'anmenwai Dajie, Xicheng District
Tel: 010-64059648
Feature: Tea, time-honored

RBT Teahouse
Location: No.69, Dongdan Beidajie, Dongcheng District
Tel: 010-65277896
Feature: over 250 kinds of classy tea, elegant environment, garden-style house