There are about 1,000 teahouses in Hangzhou. According to a recent survey, more than 48 per cent of Hangzhou citizens drink tea regularly while only 9 per cent do not drink tea daily.

Teahouse offers flavour and ancient aura

By Shao Xiaoyi



Hangzhou has been renowned for tea for more than 1,000 years, and tea
drinkers have always had the happy dilemma of choosing from among many
delicious beverages. Just as important as the type of tea, however, is
where you drink it. In Hangzhou, one of the best is He Teahouse.

Run by antique collectors, He Teahouse looks more like a museum than
anything else. Mysterious and classic decorations from the owners'
collection make this a delightful choice from among the city's hundreds
of teahouses.

Opened in 1999, He Teahouse has three shops around the city. The same
quality teas are served in each shop, and while the decor varies
somewhat, patrons can still enjoy interesting Chinese antiques in all
three.

A quiet lane enclosed by urban infrastructure leads to the He Teahouse
in Huimin Lu.

A mahogany chair from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and a plate once
used by the Emperor Guangxu of the same era are displayed in the show
window, giving a hint of what can be seen inside. The museum-quality
pieces from ancient China allow tea lovers to linger in the world of
the past.

Artistically arranged antique furniture, sculptures, images of Buddha,
jewellery and tea cups harmonize with the atmosphere of tea culture.
Open seating is available on the first floor, but for a cozier and more
intimate atmosphere, private rooms with amber colour lighting are
available on the second floor.

The delicate tea aromas, the pleasure of drinking the tea, the light
music all combine to lure tea lovers to this marvellous teahouse.

Fifty varieties of fine tea, including Hangzhou's own Longjing green
tea (Dragon Well Tea), scented teas, jasmine and black teas are served.
Snacks of boiled dumplings, steamed stuffed buns, wontons, eight
treasure porridge, noodles and desserts are available.

Tea and snacks cost around 50 yuan (US$6) per person from 9 am to 6 pm
or 6 pm to 2 am.

The art of tea drinking is demonstrated frequently. The water used to
make tea is from Hupao Spring in Hangzhou, one of China's best-known
three springs, to ensure the tea's high-quality taste.

Pang Ying, the manager of the He Teahouse, believes the Chinese-style
teahouse is the perfect place for people to relax with friends, talk
business or hold a party for family members.

Foreigners come to the teahouse to drink Chinese tea and learn more
about tea culture, said Pang, who is an ardent admirer of the culture
and ancient objects.

Pang said He Teahouse came into being mainly because her friend and
eventual business partner had a collection of antiques that was too big
to put in a private house. Opening a teahouse solved the space problem
and offered the added advantage of letting more people enjoy the
ancient art objects.

Pang has travelled around the country to collect antiques while trying
different types of tea to add to the menu.

"I hope more Chinese people will pay attention to their own tea
culture. Many young people think tea is a drink for older people and
that the taste is bitter," said Pang.

"Actually, China has hundreds of types of teas which can suit all
tastes."

There are about 1,000 teahouses in Hangzhou. According to a recent
survey, more than 48 per cent of Hangzhou citizens drink tea regularly
while only 9 per cent do not drink tea daily.

He Teahouse
77 Huimin Lu, Hangzhou
Tel: 0571-87829711
40-42, Qiushi Lu
Tel: 0571-87960589
Shi Wudong Park
Tel: 0571-87153230
Average cost: 50-68 yuan

I think it's funny how many Chinese want to open a teahouse (not always
as successfully as He Teahouse) because they have a lot of Chinese
objets in the house.