(Pictures: Beijing Wu Fu Teahouse)

Beijing has been the capital of China for over 600 years. The tea houses (Cha Guan) in Beijing are similar to the cafe in Europe: People gather at tea houses to socialize, drink tea, and enjoy other services provided by the tea houses. The tea house can be from a very simple samll room to a luxury big multifunctional social place, but the basic service is always offering tea to the customers.

Unlike GongFu tea in South China, the tea houses in Beijing uses green tea or jasmine tea instead of Wulong tea. They also don't have a whole set of ceremony used for Gongfu tea. People can drink, eat and speaking freely in the tea houses. There are several types of tea houses according to its function:

Da Cha Guan (Large Tea House): it is actually a social communication place. Some tea houses are as big as an auditorium, many of them are well renovated. Customers sit around tea tables, sometimes spend the whole day by chatting, eating, and playing chess. (Picture on the left: the famous Lao She Teahouse in Beijing)

Ching Cha Guan (Pure Tea House): Ching Cha Guan offers tea without other services. It is a quiet place for the business and professional meeting. Many business men use Ching Cha Guan to develop their business.

Shu Cha Guan (Ping Shu Tea House): PingShu is a popular entertainment in China. It is similar to the talk-show in America. The actor amuses the customers by telling stories. Shu Cha Guan usually hires a couple actors to play Ping Shu for the customers. Customers usually don't drink or eat during the show. Tea and other snacks are supplied before and after the Ping Shu.

Ye Cha Guan (Wild Tea House): Ye Cha Guan is usually located in the rural area, offering a simple and natural environment for drinkers. Only cheap tea and simple tea cups are available in the tea houses. But the customers likes to select Ye Cha Guan as a way to go back to the nature and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful landscape.

Xi Cha Guan (Opear Tea House): Opear tea houses have special platform and can be used as an opera as well. It is also a recreation center for many family or social parties. (picture on the right: the Zheng Yi Ci Teahouse and Opera).

Cha Guan used to spread in every corner of Beijing and became a symbol of this city. During the Chinese Culture Revolution (1966-1976) they have been completely closed and prohibited. After the 1980's, hundreds of tea houses have re-appeared. Nowadays they are all called "Cha Yi Guan" (the art of tea house). Some biggest Cha Yi Guan have the opera platform renovated and function as a conventional opera tea house, many other tea houses have combined the tea ceremony from South China and Japan and offer a more various selection to the customers. More and more people are coming back to the tea house the experience the spirit of traditional Chinese tea culture.