Outside of sitting back and sipping a fragrant cup of tea at home, Beijingers love nothing more than to go to teahouses and indulge in their favorite drink and Chinese traditional culture. Over time, teahouses have become part of the life and fabric of the capital with more than 500 establishments offering various styles. To sip a cup in any of them is to have a glimpse of daily life in the country.

Laoshe Teahouse

Founded in 1988, this establishment covers an area of more than 3,300 square meters. Since it opened, it has entertained many famous people from China and all over the world. Here, sitting in a traditional Beijing background, you can drink the best teas in the country, taste delicious traditional Beijing-style snacks and delicacies which used to be eaten by Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) emperors. Most importantly, you can enjoy all kinds of traditional performance art, including Peking Opera, Changing Face of Sichuan, hand shadow play, Chinese martial arts and acrobatics, among others.

Address: 3 Qianmen Xidajie, Xicheng District

Phone: (8610) 6303-6830, 6302-1717

Tianqiao Le Teahouse (or Tiaoqiao Happy Teahouse)

Built in 1933, this establishment features an area of about 1,300 square meters that can comfortably sit around 200. The room's classic decorations add to the experience of sampling various types of tea and snacks while watching traditional performances. Roast duck and cross-talk (rapid-fire conversation with humorous elements) are hot attractions at the teahouse.

Address: 1, Beiwei Lu, Xuanwu District

Tel: (8610) 6304-0617

Wufu Teahouse

Set up in 1994, Wufu, which means five kinds of happiness in Chinese, was the first chain teahouse in the city. Compared with the Laoshe Teahouse the ambience here is much quieter and milder, with girls dressed in traditional clothes performing tea ceremonies for customers. The store also sells high-quality tea, handmade tea sets and books. It even organizes tea forums and lectures.

Address: 104, Di’anmen Dajie, Xichengqu

Tel: (8610) 6405-9648