Tea teasers

The Lao She Teahouse is named after a late Chinese playwright, who penned the famous drama Teahouse. The building is designed according to a description of a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) teahouse in that play.

Since it was set up in 1988, the building has become a top attraction for tourists looking to understand Beijing and Chinese culture.

In addition to sipping fresh brewed teas, you can enjoy nightly performances of Peking Opera with beautiful costumes and mysterious actors. The show is divided into four parts, each starting with a tea-making ceremony: green tea for summer, oolong tea for autumn, red tea for winter and jasmine tea for spring.

Next a Chinese folk music troupe performs. In addition to playing traditional instruments, a performer imitates the sound of a suona horn with his voice. Other musicians can mimic the sounds of an airplane, train, and birds singing with stunning accuracy.

The 90-minute show concludes with an energetic kungfu performance.

Light refreshments are provided, along with tea and a bowl of sweet and sour plum drink.

Address: 3/F Zhengyang Market, Qianmen Xidajie 前门西大街正阳市场三号楼老舍茶馆

Open: 10 am-9:50 pm;

performances: 7:50-9:20 pm, nightly

Tel: 6303-7562

(China Daily 08/24/2008 page15)