Tea & wellness
Courtyard Tea Ceremony in a Beijing Hutong
古院茶道 · 沉浸式茶
Slow down over five teas in a quiet hutong courtyard.
Step off a Beijing hutong and through a round moon gate into a courtyard that has watched the city change for generations. Inside, time moves differently — and that is the point.
Your tea host guides you through the gongfu way of brewing: warming the cups, waking the leaves, pouring in short, attentive rounds. You’ll taste five distinct Chinese teas — perhaps a green, an oolong, a aged pu-erh — and learn to read their colour, aroma and changing character across infusions.
It is less a class than a conversation, and an antidote to a fast itinerary. You leave knowing how to brew properly at home, and a little more unhurried than you arrived.
Highlights
- Sit down in a genuine Beijing courtyard home (siheyuan), not a shop
- Taste five different Chinese teas guided by a knowledgeable host
- Learn the gongfu brewing method you can repeat at home
- A calm, screen-free pause in the middle of a busy trip
- Hosted in English, small groups only
What you’ll do
- 0:00
Arrival at the courtyard
Enter the siheyuan, settle at the tea table and meet your host.
- 0:15
The way of tea
A short, friendly introduction to Chinese tea culture and the gongfu brewing set.
- 0:30
Five-tea tasting
Brew and taste five teas together, learning to read each one across infusions.
- 1:40
Brew your own
Take the pot yourself and brew a round, with tips for recreating it at home.
Included
- English-speaking tea host
- Tasting of five Chinese teas
- Use of the gongfu tea set
- Light tea snacks
Not included
- Hotel pick-up / drop-off
- Tea purchases to take home
- Gratuities
Good to know
- Caffeine-sensitive guests can ask for lighter teas
- Seating is low and traditional
- Wonderful for couples and anyone needing a quiet hour
Meeting point. Traditional courtyard (siheyuan) in central Beijing — exact address on booking [TO CONFIRM]
Schedule. Daily sessions, morning and afternoon; check live availability.
Cancellation. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time.
