Ask a QuestionWhen you're feeling all “touristed-out” and need to relax with a good cup of tea, an excellent stop would be the elegant Laoshe Teahouse at Qianmen; it's off the main tourist itinerary. It is named after the drama "Teahouse" by Chinese author Lao She. An attempt to revive the atmosphere of a Beijing tea-house during Lao She’s time, it has instead evolved into a wonderful entertainment house with short shows by comedians, singers, musicians, acrobats and opera performers. In short, one can have a kaleidoscopic view of Beijing culture while sipping tea with light refreshment. Dinner before the show is provided separately in another section of the building and the price of the food is reasonable. An adjacent room displays paintings, art objects like paper-cuts, figurines, antiques, kites and jade carvings.
Laoshe Teahouse in Beijing
The teahouse is decorated and furnished in the late Qing Dynasty style, with dozens of old-style tables in the hall seating 50 to 100 and a stage beyond. Palace lanterns hang from the ceiling, and scrolled traditional Chinese paintings and calligraphy works from the walls. An electronic display over the stage subtitles the show in Chinese, English and Japanese. Tea is the major draw and there is a great snack menu including dried plums, pastries and baozi (steamed buns). Customers sip tea from their covered fine porcelain tea cups and taste imperial and local style snacks as they savour folk performances and emulate the leisure moments of old Beijingese.
Venue: Laoshe Teahouse
Address: Building No 3, Zhengyang Market, Qianmenxi Street, Beijing
showtime at Laoshe Teahouse: 19:50-21:20 daily
Lao She Teahouse is a three-story establishment blending traditional tea culture with immersive Beijing-style entertainment. The ground floor serves as a cultural introduction area, featuring a ticket lobby displaying a bronze sculpture commemorating founder Yin Shengxi's 1994 handshake with U.S. President George H.W. Bush. Visitors can experience symbolic 2-fen "Big Bowl Tea" at the heritage tea stall, explore vintage exhibits in the Old Beijing Commercial Museum, and view historical tea utensils.
The second level transforms into an interactive cultural space where tea masters demonstrate ceremonial brewing techniques amidst displays of Beijing clay figurines and artisan teaware. This floor regularly hosts intangible cultural heritage performances like shadow puppetry, while the cultural innovation shop offers collectible stamps and local handicrafts.
At the heart of the experience, the third floor presents daily variety shows combining crosstalk comedy, drum singing, and Sichuan face-changing acts within its main theater. A hidden courtyard-style tea complex provides secluded tasting rooms, while the adjacent Pinzhen Lou restaurant serves tea-infused Beijing cuisine paired with live performances. Weekend programming features choose-your-own-adventure style immersive theater, with auxiliary spaces like the Art Theater adapting for intimate folk art showcases. The venue's thoughtful design preserves Qing Dynasty architectural elements while accommodating modern performance needs.
Every evening, the Laoshe Teahouse comes alive with a dazzling lineup of performances that capture the diversity and color of Chinese folk entertainment. Think of it as a cultural tasting menu — small bites of Beijing’s artistic soul, delivered with warmth and flair.
Traditional Folk Arts & Acrobatics
Candle-in-Mouth Drum Singing (Handeng Dagu): A unique folk art where performers sing while balancing a candle-lit stand in their mouths, blending storytelling with acrobatics.
Jingyun Drum Singing: Classic Beijing drum songs performed by national-level artists, such as The Tale of Plum Blossoms.
Cross Talk (Xiangsheng) & Double Acts (Shuanghuang): Humorous dialogues and skits infused with Beijing dialect and witty banter.
Shadow Puppetry & Hand Puppetry: Traditional plays like Monkey King Subdues the White-Bone Demon using puppets or light-shadow techniques.
Acrobatics & Martial Arts: Thrilling displays including jar-balancing, diabolo spinning, and Chinese martial arts.
Intangible Cultural Heritage & Interactive Experiences
Face-Changing (Bianlian) & Magic: Sichuan opera mask-changing combined with traditional magic tricks.
Shadow Puppetry Workshops: Post-performance interactions where audiences can try operating puppets and purchase customized pieces.
Long-Spout Teapot Art: Tea masters pour boiling water from long-spouted teapots with graceful, choreographed movements.
Immersive Theater & Special Shows
Tales from the Teahouse: Choose-your-own-adventure plays set in the Republic of China era (e.g., The Jade Thumb Ring, Dragon-Phoenix Pendant), where audiences vote on plot twists or interact with actors.
Four Seasons in Beijing•Tea: A nightly variety show combining drum singing, acrobatics, magic, and comedy, with seasonal themes.
Additional Highlights
Free "Two-Cent Bowls of Tea" Performance: Evening guqin (zither) music at the entrance tea stall.
Seasonal Events: Themed shadow plays and tea-banquet pairings during festivals like Chinese New Year.
Locations: Main performances are held in the 3rd-floor theater, while interactive experiences take place in the 2nd-floor非遗 (Intangible Cultural Heritage) zone.
Note: Reservations are recommended for evening shows, especially on weekends.
Ticket prices vary depending on seating tier, with VIP tables closest to the stage offering the best views and tea/snack service. Prices generally range from 180 to 580 RMB. For private bookings or customized performances, prices may be higher.
The showtime is from 19:50 to 21:20 daily, and guests are advised to arrive at least 30 minutes early to enjoy pre-show tea service and settle in comfortably.
You can reserve tickets through major online platforms like Trip.com, or contact us directly for help with ticket arrangements, private transfers, hotel bookings, and other travel services in Beijing or across China.
While tea is the centerpiece, food at Laoshe Teahouse is far from an afterthought. In fact, the combination of live performance, tea, and authentic Beijing snacks is what makes the experience so immersive.
Each guest is served a traditional tea set, which may include jasmine, dragon well, or oolong — brewed with care and poured in the theatrical long-spout style. You can choose your tea variety upon arrival, and refills are included.
A snack platter accompanies the tea, often featuring a rotating assortment such as:
1. Getting There
Laoshe Teahouse is centrally located near Qianmen Station (Subway Line 2), Exit C. From there, it’s just a 5-minute walk past traditional Beijing-style storefronts and red lantern-lined streets. Taxis are also an easy option; just show the address to the driver or have it on your phone in Chinese: 老舍茶馆 – 前门西大街正阳市场3号楼.
2. Best Time to Visit
For the full atmosphere, opt for an evening show. It’s especially cozy in autumn and winter, when warm tea and indoor performances offer a welcome contrast to Beijing’s chilly evenings. Avoid major national holidays like Chinese New Year, unless you book well in advance.
3. Accessibility
The venue is wheelchair accessible with elevators and wide entryways. However, it's a good idea to notify staff in advance if you have specific mobility needs.
4. Souvenirs & Takeaways
Before you leave, take a few moments to browse the onsite cultural gift shop, which sells hand-crafted teas, traditional opera masks, and calligraphy sets — thoughtful gifts or keepsakes of your time in old Beijing.
Because the performance takes place in the evening, it's especially well-suited as the final stop on a full day of sightseeing, allowing you to rest your feet, sip tea, and reflect on the day’s discoveries.
Option 1: A Culture-Focused Day in Central Beijing
Morning
Lunch
Afternoon
Evening
Option 2: One Perfect Beijing Night
Even if you're tight on time, Laoshe Teahouse makes for a brilliant evening activity after a conference, business meeting, or a day trip.
Suggested Plan:
Nearby Attractions (within walking distance):
Ideal For:
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From $ 277
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