Just like coffee to the westerners, tea is an indispensable part of the daily life to Chinese people. Cafes mushrooms in recent years, however they can not stop Chinese people's love for teahouses. In Shanghai, there are now over 3,000 teahouses in operation, providing you with a wide range of choices to appreciate the charm of the fancy and brilliant Chinese tea culture.

The area around Shanghai Old Street gathers a lot of old and famous teahouses. You can have a try after visiting the nearby Old Town God Temple or the Yuyuan Garden.

Most teahouses in the city are decorated with an ancient Chinese style. They serve simple local food and snacks besides the excellent Chinese tea. The teahouse recommended below will be sure to enrich your leisurely stay in Shanghai.

The Mid-Lake Pavilion Teahouse
Chinese name: 湖心亭 (hú xīn tíng)
Specialties: This is the oldest teahouse in Shanghai. It is a big pavilion in the middle of an artificial lake in the Yuyuan Garden of Shanghai. Being linked to the lakeshore by the Jiuqu Bridge, the Mid-Lake Pavilion was originally built in 1784 in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). It has become a teahouse in 1855. The long history attracts many political leaders and celebrities from all over the world. Here you can have high-class tea and delicious snacks such as preserved plums and small glutinous rice dumplings. And you can enjoy the excellent music played by traditional Chinese musical instruments.
Address: No. 257, Yuyuan Road, Huangpu District
Operating Hours: 10:00 - 21:00
Average cost per person: CNY 60 - 100

Gu Yuan
Chinese name: 故园 (gù yuán)
Specialties: Gu Yuan is decorated with an old-time style. The ancient archway, the stone carvings, the gold-plating paintings, and the delicate garden inside will all fascinate you when you enter the teahouse. The tea is authentic and the snacks are delicious. Pu'er Tea is highly recommended.
Address: No. 1315, Middle Fuxing Road, Xuhui District (near Fenyang Road)
Operating Hours: 10:00 - 24:00
Average cost per person: CNY 100 - 200

De He Teahouse
Chinese name: 得和茶馆 (dé hé chá guǎn)
Specialties: The capacious De He Teahouse will make you feel relaxed and comfortable. Besides the tea you asked, it also provides a buffet dinner of various snacks and fruits.
Address: 2F, Luwan Gymnasium, No. 135, West Jianguo Road, Luwan District (between South Shaanxi Road and Ruijin 2nd Road)
Operating Hours: 11:00 - 22:00
Average cost per person: CNY 70 - 100

Yan Yu Jiang Nan
Chinese name: 烟雨江南茶艺酒吧 (yān yǔ jiāng nán chá yì jiǔ bā)
Specialties: The red lanterns, comfortable sofas and beds makes it an ideal tea house bar. A view out of the window will grasp you: the peaceful and clear lake brings the teahouse to a charming water town in south China. The various kinds of tea are recommended, including Pu'er Tea, Oolong Tea, and fruit tea.
Address: inside Quyang Park, No. 980, East Tiyuhui Road, Hongkou District (the intersection with North Zhongshan 2nd Road)
Operating Hours: 11:00 - 1:00 (the next day)
Average cost per person: CNY 50

Chun Shui Tang
Chinese name: 春水堂 (chūn shuǐ táng)
Specialties: Chun Shui Tang is a famous teahouse and restaurant from Taiwan. It serves excellent Chinese tea and tasty food and snacks. The milk tea is also good.
Address: No. 1, Middle Huaihai Road, Luwan District (near Liulin Road)
Operating Hours: 8:00 - 23:00 (to 24:00 on weekends)
Average cost per person: CNY 30 - 50

Shanghai

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