Our 8 Favourite Tea Ceremonies in China

1.Traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 74 reviews · 30 minutes - 3 hours · from $9Our pick

Meet an English-speaking tea master in Beijing for a 30-minute to three-hour ceremony covering Oolong, Pu-erh, green, jasmine, and flower tea. You will smell the leaves, watch careful brewing, taste five mini cups, and learn why temperature and timing matter. Hosts may include Richard Li, Feye, or Russian-speaking Kostya, depending on your booking.

“Very lovely experience! We liked it a lot. Thanks to our Russian-speaking tea master Kostya for the ceremony!”

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2.Beijing Culture: Tea Ceremony, Heritage Instrument & Calligraphy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · from $78Top rated

Spend 2.5 hours at a private heritage venue in Beijing learning tea ceremony, Chinese calligraphy, and guqin music. A bilingual guide with an M.A. in History and Sociology explains the meaning behind each tradition, while national-level artists teach the practical skills. The group is limited to eight, with traditional clothing available for photos.

“I didn’t expect to feel so moved. Playing the Guqin while the master guided my fingers felt like stepping into another time. It was quiet, personal, and completely different from anything else in my itinerary.”

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3.Chinese Tea ceremony in Beijing Hutong courtyard

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 26 reviews · 1 hour · from $31

Spend one hour in a traditional Beijing hutong courtyard with an English-speaking host from Bayi Teahouse. Choose green, black, oolong, or Pu’er tea, learn how to brew and serve it, and enjoy complimentary snacks. The workshop is close to the Forbidden City and may include a short walk through the surrounding hutong lanes.

“We are not such tea lovers, but the tea was really tasty, and we mostly enjoyed our two hosts and the conversation we had. We learned a lot about the tea rituals and the history of Beijing.”

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4.Beijing Culture Event: Tradition Music, Tea Ceremony, Calligraphy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $15

At Huagong Road in Beijing, an English-speaking guide introduces you to tea etiquette, a live guqin performance by a Beijing Guqin Association master, basic guqin playing, and Chinese calligraphy. You can also try hanfu. The three-hour session is limited to 12 people and ends where it begins.

“Small group, no pressure, and such a peaceful atmosphere. Even as an introvert, I felt totally at ease during the tea ceremony, music, and calligraphy. A great way to enjoy culture without feeling overwhelmed!”

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5.Beijing: Temple Of Heaven+Tai Chi Class+Tea Ceremony

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 6 hours · from $129

Meet an English-speaking guide at the Temple of Heaven, practice Tai Chi for 30 to 40 minutes, then explore the Echo Wall and Echo Stone before a traditional tea ceremony. Guides such as Candice, Alice, Simon, and Jackie have earned praise for their warmth and clear explanations. Hotel pickup is included within Beijing’s Fourth Ring Road.

“Excellent experience!! The Tai Chi class was so fun and informative. Simon is an incredible guide and knows so much about Temple of Heaven as well as China’s history. Highlight of the trip was the tea ceremony where we had really wonderful teas. Really engaging and would go again.”

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6.Beijing: Chinese Culture Tea Ceremony Reservation Service

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4 reviews · from $7Best value

Reserve a two-hour Chinese tea ceremony near Tiananmen, the Forbidden City, and Yonghe Temple. An English-speaking instructor guides you through warming cups, releasing tea fragrance, rinsing, brewing, and serving. Your $7 fee reserves the appointment, while tea and teahouse costs average about 398 RMB per person and are paid separately.

“It was very interesting and informative. It was nice to get a little insight into the culture. Our hosts were very friendly and welcoming. We would do it again, although the price is not cheap.”

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7.Xi’an Calligraphy & Tea Ceremony – Dive into Ink & Brush Artistry

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $69

Meet Yunyun in Xi’an for a three-hour introduction to Chinese calligraphy, character history, jasmine tea, and traditional rituals. You’ll practice brush strokes, paint a folding fan, make personalized bookmarks, and complete a scroll painting. The group has fewer than six people, with all materials and snacks included.

“Yunyun was amazing! Really Knowledgeable and open to any request, you can ask her anything, I would 100% recommend this tour!”

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8.Beijing：Learn Calligraphy & Enjoy Kung Fu Tea Ceremony

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 2 hours · from $48

Choose a two-hour Beijing cultural class: learn six tea types, brewing, storage, and traditional utensils with an English-speaking tea teacher, or practice brush, ink, paper, and inkstone with a skilled calligraphy teacher. Tea and snacks are included, and calligraphy students take home their own scroll.

“Charlotte nous a tres bien accueilli dans cette salle remplie de theieres, de tasses et de thés : ce decor donne une tres bonne ambiance, un bonne energie pour cette experience. Elle nous a donne de nombreuses explications et a repondu a toute notre curiosité. je recommande chaudement”

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