Beijing Puer Tea Shop Near The Tian

Known as the “health-giving tea” and “beauty-slimming tea” in China, Puer tea is something you won’t regret trying out.

This famous tea from the Yunnan province of southern China gives you both taste and health benefits.

For tea-loving tourists, the large Yunnan Pu’er Tea Market offers convenient location near the Tian’anmen Square near the Beijing Emperor Hotel.

It is here on the second floor where I found Leyuanyu Pu’er Tea Shop.

The shopkeeper, Mr. Wang, warmly invited me to sit down and sample their fermented and unfermented teas.

Decorated with unique items from the hometown of Pu’er tea, Leyuanyu provided me a great tea-tasting experience.

The stone elephants, wooden decorations, and green plants soon led me into a relax state.

Fermented tea looks red, and tastes kinda sweet. Unfermented tea looks like amber. They taste somewhat bitter at first, but give a sweet after-taste.

Mr. Wang said all their Pu’er tea comes from naturally grown trees without any human interference. They offer two famous brands: “National Chinese” and “Image of Washan Mountain”.

The former has won many prizes in Pu’er tea competitions.

Looking around, I found a wide variety of compressed Pu’er tea on display. The compressed nature makes them easy to carry.

Some even come in nice small packages fit for presents or souvenirs. Prices are reasonable. One particular 250g “Tea Horse Ancient Road Pu’er Brick Tea” cost only RMB 50, for instance.

Beijing Tea Researcher

If you like Chinese tea, you won’t regret paying a visit to Tea Researcher near the Beijing Fuhao Hotel. The shop offers many types of tea, from various tea planting regions in Asia, and also from Europe and Africa.

Until then this tea shop has opened less than a dozen branches in Beijing.

I was at first attracted by a tea gift box composed of two packages of Dahongpao (大红袍).

Dahongpao is one of the rare and excellent Wulong teas (often spelled Oolong) and its price is pretty expensive.

According to the tea shop assistant (who could speak a little English), the variety of Dahongpao carried by the shop is of a high quality. Its prices range from RMB 65 per 15g to RMB 238 per 60g.

Tea Researcher packages their teas in different hues: the green tag denotes Chinese tea, the purple one is reserved for Japanese and Korean teas.

European and African teas are packaged in blue and brown boxes respectively.

The shop assistant recommended both Dahongpao and Dongding Wulong, a tea harvested and fermented in Taiwan.

The taste of Wulong tea is even more magnificent when you infuse it in a Zisha teapot (Zisha a special mineral deposit which is ground to make a paste with which skilled craftsmen make very exclusive teapots).

She also told me Mocha (抹茶) imported from Japan would benefit a girl’s skin. Sencha (煎茶), another popular tea from Japan, has a little sweet and freshly green taste.

Prices range from RMB 50 per 15g up to RMB 300 per 60g. More expensive gift boxes were priced at over RMB 500. No bargaining.

Gou Bu Li Steamed Stuffed Bun

It first appeared in Tianjin in 1858, under the reign of Emperor Xian Feng of the Qing Dynasty.

Gou Bu Li means the inventor — nicknamed Gou Zi (puppy)– was so busy selling his steamed stuffed buns that he had no time to answer questions from his customers.

There is a Gou Bu Li restaurant on Dongdan North Street near Beijing Emperor Hotel. Their steamed stuffed bun is very tasty, and prices are very inexpensive.

One meal of steamed stuffed bun costs only RMB 13 or RMB 15. It includes 9 buns, some home-made pickles, and some mung bean porridge.

Beijing Wen Yu Cheese Shop

Cheese is a popular food in France, Italy, and Wisconsin. But did you know there was such a thing as Chinese cheese?

And Chinese cheese which was only served to the imperial family during the Qing Dynasty to boot?

Yes, it’s true. There is a tiny eatery which offers this very special cheese snack near the Beijing Fuhao Hotel in Beijing.

This eatery is located on Nanluogu Lane (南锣鼓巷). The nameplate says: Wenyu Nailao Dian (文宇奶酪店). It is carved in green traditional Chinese calligraphy.

As a bit of a gourmet myself, I can’t help but visit it very often!

This very tiny cheese eatery only offers four tables to its patrons.

A hospitable waiter greeted me and asked me what I wanted to taste. He showed me a few items, patiently explaining what they were and their prices.

Their selection is chiefly comprised of traditional cheeses, double-layer cheese (双皮奶酪), Jiangzhuangnai (姜撞奶), red-bean cheese (红豆奶), and a few others.

Near the price list displayed on the back wall, I could read a short introduction to the history of the imperial family’s cheese in red Chinese characters.

While I was pondering which kind of cheese snack to taste first, numerous clients came in to make their shopping.

According to the person who served me, affluent young people make up the main of the shop customer base. I finally decided on purchasing some Jiangzhuangnai, but alas, the choice wasn’t available at this time. The waiter recommended me to try their traditional cheese.

I had a spoon of it at once. Oh, sweet and cool!

Compared with the other kinds of cheese, the traditional product is whiter and sweeter. A bowl of it costs only RMB 6! Other cheeses range from RMB 6 to RMB 15 a bowl.

Apparently, take-away orders are a frequent occurrence here, especially in summer. The man’s English was rather limited, but you can see each snack clearly on the glass shelves under the counter.

Beijing Zhang Yi Yuan Teahouse Near Forbidden City

Zhangyiyuan, which was established in 1900, is a China’s time-honored brand for tea.

With their own tea plantation in southeastern China’s Fujian Province, Zhangyiyuan has been providing top-quality teas to both domestic and overseas customers.

One of its numerous outlets in Beijing is on Zhushikou West Street, at the center of the capital not far from the Beijing Emperor Hotel.

It’s hard to miss the shop, as you’ll see a huge red sign in English “Zhangyiyuan Tea House, since 1900.”

Soft aroma of teas greets every visitor upon entering.

Their jasmine tea is the most popular among Beijingers. There are more than a dozen types, priced from RMB 30 to 500 per 500g.

You can find other great teas here as well. The famous Longjing Green Tea, which literally means ‘Dragon Well’, is priced from RMB 130 to 4200 yuan per 500g.

While the heavy Tie Guanyin tea sells for RMB 580 to 2800.

You can also find some purple clay tea sets on display.

Beijing Huang Tang Tea Shop Near Temple Of Heaven

Huang Tang tea - literally means “yellow soup” – is a type of yellow tea. I visited a shop featuring Huang Tang Tea on the largest tea street in North China, Ma Lian Dao near the Beijing Hongkun International Hotel.

The warmhearted shop owner made me a cup of tea while she talked about her special yellow tea. It grows in the beautiful mountainous area, far away from any pollution.

The tea leaves are collected and processed at the beginning of April by hand. In order to keep them fresh, Huang Tang Tea need to be put into a refrigerator.

I noticed that at first, the tea leaves looked very similar to those of green tea. Only after a while the tea soup becomes gradually light yellow.

So make sure to let it sit for a while. The tea tastes light and a bit sweet.

Prices vary from RMB 40 to RMB 100 per 100 grams.

Yunnan Teahouse near Temple Of Heaven

The tables and chairs are old, and have never been lacquered. Actually they are folk antiques. In the center of the outer room there is a rockery, with a trickle of water.

The teahouse is definitely out-of-character in its modern neighborhood.

On the wooden shelves, various Pu’er teas are displayed orderly. They come directly from Yunnan Province. Prices for fermented or unfermented brick-shaped teas (250g) range from RMB 95 to RMB 138.

One case of cake-shaped tea (700g) costs RMB 360. A kind of unfermented cake-shaped tea made in 1999 costs RMB 980 per unit.

Prices for unfermented bowl-shaped compressed teas are RMB 58 and RMB 95 (250g), and fermented bowl-shaped compressed tea costs RMB 156 (250g).

Prices for fermented or unfermented cake-shaped tea (357g) range from RMB 148 to RMB 456. Fermented brick-shaped tea (1000g) costs RMB 762.

If you are looking for a special bottle to make tea easily, the tea house carries one for RMB 48.

Beijing Red House Bar near Temple Of Heaven

It is one of the rare bars in Beijing with an elegant garden, where patrons may enjoy their drinks in the open.

Occupying an interior area of around 150 square meters, the bar is elegantly decorated with a fusion of both Chinese and Western styles.

They serve a great many kinds of liquors, wines, beers, juices, coffee, Chinese teas, and 30 kinds of cocktails priced from RMB 25 to RMB 45.

Happy hour goes from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, when you can enjoy a 40% discount on selected drinks.

In addition, guests can also order some western food from appetizers to desserts. A popular dish with the foreign patrons is the French Fried Beef Steak, which costs RMB 46.

The bar also provides karaoke service, and has over 10,000 English songs for overseas guests. For those who would like some entertainment with their drinks, ask about the Singing performances.

They perform 3 times a week during the summer, 2 times a week during the winter, from 9:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

According to the manager, foreign guests especially love the entertaining atmosphere, comfortable environment, considerate services, and a large selection of drinks at reasonable prices.

Yi Pin Gu Dao Teahouse

The teahouse occupies more than 2,000 square meters, including a capacious tea hall and 24 private rooms. These are connected by two corridors decorated with green foliage and animal-shaped sculptures.

While relaxing here, customers can enjoy the views of various plants, flowers and rockeries on the balcony, as well as old porcelain wares displayed on wooden shelf and Chinese calligraphic works and paintings hanging on walls.

In front of the tea hall, there is an area for a master of ceremonies, and a stone sculpture depicting an ancient man making tea on a campfire. Customers may enjoy wireless internet access for free. However, what truly separates Supreme Tea Life from other tea houses is the variety. Not only can you enjoy a cup of tea, but also snacks, cold drinks, and even a hot meal.

The minimum charge for one table with four chairs is RMB 88/hour. For a single guest, it is RMB 20/hour. Patrons staying here from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays, however, can enjoy 40% off on their minimum spending limit. Tea prices are reasonable.

A pot of Dark Oolong costs RMB 68~288. Set meals typically go for RMB 15~25, while stews and snacks like dumplings, beef noodles, steamed buns cost RMB 8~15. Prices for three dozens of homemade Hakka dishes, the southern China’s traditional cuisine with strong tastes, range from RMB 8 to RMB 168. Supreme Tea Life also serves many drinks, including cola, juice, beer and wine.

The tea house also features private rooms. There are 3 sizes, with prices ranging from RMB 95 per 3 hours to RMB 233 per 3 hours. These cover basic refreshments and tea for each patron. Every room has a glass ceiling, allowing for the sunlight to pass through. Customers can enjoy board games such as Chinese chess and Go while relaxing inside. Room service is just a call away.

The waitresses at Supreme Tea Life are very professional. While they get mostly Chinese customers, they do have experience with foreign customers. So lack of basic Chinese is not a problem. With such a relaxing atmosphere, a great selection, the courteous service, Supreme Tea Life offers a little something to everyone.

Beijing royal tea garden near Temple Of Heaven

Located on the Huashi East Street near the Beijing Hai Ge International Hotel, Royal Tea Garden is housed in a nice two-story building.

Before the entrance gate, two imposing stone lions keep guard.

Getting into the tea house, you cross a little bridge over a stream passing through the floor.

Chinese wooden tables and chairs are set in an orderly manner on the first floor.

And on the second floor, many books are stowed on shelves.

Patrons who want to enjoy some privacy will rent a small (RMB 60/hour), medium-sized (RMB 120/hour), or a large (RMB 240/hour, 12 sofas) private room.

A wide variety of Chinese teas are available for your choosing.

Biluochun or Longjing tea cost RMB 68 a portion, Huangshan Maofeng or Xinyang Maojian RMB 48, and Tie Guanyin RMB 160 ~ 680.

The price of a snack of munchies (e.g. pistachio nuts) is RMB 25. This is a pleasant venue to enjoy Chinese tea with friends.