Ask a QuestionLocated in Yingju Lane (英聚巷) near the famous Paifang Street (牌坊街) in Chaozhou Ancient City, Zaiyang Tea House (载阳茶馆) is one of the best places to experience authentic Teochew culture in a traditional setting. Housed in a beautifully restored Republic of China-era arcade building, the tea house combines Gongfu tea, traditional opera, local music, and historical architecture into one immersive cultural experience.
Unlike ordinary tea shops where visitors simply drink tea, Zaiyang Tea House works like a “living museum” of Chaozhou culture. Guests can taste authentic Phoenix Dancong tea, watch professional performances on an old-style stage, and experience the slow-paced lifestyle of local people surrounded by vintage decorations and historic architecture.
The building was originally constructed in 1912 and restored under the principle of “repairing the old as the old” by local cultural guardian Liao Yiming. After opening to visitors during the Spring Festival of 2017, it became Chaozhou’s first traditional Gongfu tea house with a professional performance stage inside. Today, it has become a landmark cultural attraction in the ancient city and an excellent stop for travelers who want to understand Teochew traditions beyond sightseeing.
The building that houses Zaiyang Tea House has more than a century of history. It was originally built in 1912 as a typical two-story arcade-style mansion combining Chinese and Western architectural styles during the Republic of China period.
The original owner was Zheng Shimin, a local gentleman and businessman. The building served both as a private residence and a place for receiving guests connected with overseas Chinese communities. Because Chaozhou has a long history of migration to Southeast Asia, many local families maintained close connections with relatives abroad. The building once functioned as an overseas Chinese correspondence center, known locally as an “Qiaopi” (侨批) related site, where letters and remittance documents from overseas Chinese were handled.
These historical connections left behind valuable memories of Chaozhou’s overseas Chinese culture. The building witnessed the exchanges between Chaozhou and Southeast Asia during the early 20th century.
Later, the old mansion was used for different purposes, including a cultural business company and a ticket printing factory. Over time, the historic building gradually declined and was eventually left unused.
In 2015, local cultural enthusiast Liao Yiming began a full restoration project. Instead of rebuilding it as a modern structure, he followed the restoration concept of “repairing the old as the old”, preserving as much of the original structure, materials, and decorative details as possible.
After two years of restoration, Zaiyang Tea House officially opened in 2017. It became the first tea house in Chaozhou featuring a professional opera stage and has since developed into an important cultural experience space showcasing local traditions, especially Gongfu tea and Teochew opera.
The architecture of Zaiyang Tea House reflects the unique cultural background of Chaozhou, a region historically connected with Southeast Asia.
The building combines traditional Chaozhou residential craftsmanship with Nanyang (Southeast Asian) and Western architectural elements. The two-story arcade mansion features an open courtyard layout with a central skylight, allowing natural light and fresh air to flow through the building.
The spacious interior can accommodate more than 200 visitors at the same time, yet it still maintains the elegant atmosphere of an old private residence.
The exterior retains many original Republic-era features, including stone walls, carved door frames, and colorful Nanyang-style stained glass windows. In the afternoon, sunlight passes through the colored glass and creates beautiful patterns on the floor, making the building a popular photo spot for visitors.
First Floor: Traditional Tea Tables and Performance Stage
The first floor is the heart of Zaiyang Tea House.
At the center of the hall stands a traditional red velvet performance stage with the sign “Zaiyang Tea House Public Stage” (载阳茶馆百姓戏台) hanging above it. Around the stage are traditional Chaozhou-style wooden tables and benches, creating a nostalgic atmosphere similar to old teahouses.
Each table usually accommodates around 4–8 people, allowing visitors to sit close to the stage and enjoy the performances.
The interior decoration is full of historical details. Visitors can find:
Traditional Chaozhou gold-painted wood carvings on beams and columns
Reproductions of old Qiaopi letters and documents
Republic-era posters
Vintage radios and record players
Traditional tea sets
Red lantern decorations
Every corner combines tea culture, overseas Chinese history, and old Chaozhou lifestyle.
Second Floor: Elegant Balcony Seating
The second floor offers a quieter and more private tea-drinking environment.
Small tea tables are arranged around the courtyard balcony, with each table suitable for 2–4 people. Compared with the lively first floor, the second floor is better for travelers who prefer a relaxed atmosphere.
The design combines Western and Chinese elements, including:
White European-style carved railings
Curved ceilings
Vintage blue-edged lamps
Traditional wooden furniture
The second floor is especially popular among visitors wearing traditional Chinese clothing such as qipao for photos. The combination of old architecture, soft lighting, and traditional tea settings creates a strong historical atmosphere.
Seats near the windows offer pleasant natural light and are ideal for quietly enjoying tea.
However, visitors should note that some corner seats have limited views because of the relatively high railings. If watching performances is your priority, choosing a seat with a clear view is recommended.
Hidden Cultural Exhibition Area
Besides tea drinking and performances, Zaiyang Tea House also includes a small cultural exhibition area.
The displays include:
Original overseas Chinese letters and documents
Traditional Chaozhou tea utensils
Small samples of Chaozhou embroidery
The tea house occasionally organizes Gongfu tea workshops, cultural sharing events, and Teochew opera discussions, making it not only a leisure place but also a space for learning about local traditions.
1. Experience Authentic Chaozhou Gongfu Tea
The biggest reason many travelers visit Zaiyang Tea House is to experience Chaozhou Gongfu tea, one of the most important parts of Teochew culture.
The tea house mainly serves Phoenix Dancong (凤凰单丛), a famous oolong tea produced in nearby Phoenix Mountain.
Two popular choices include:
Honey Orchid Fragrance (蜜兰香)
This variety has a sweet floral aroma and a smooth taste, making it easier for first-time tea drinkers to enjoy.
Duck Shit Fragrance (鸭屎香)
Despite its unusual name, this is one of the most famous Phoenix Dancong varieties. It has a strong fragrance and complex flavor loved by many tea enthusiasts.
The tea preparation follows traditional Chaozhou methods using:
Charcoal heating
Small clay kettle (砂铫)
Purple clay teapot
Small tea cups
Visitors can watch or participate in the complete Gongfu tea process, experiencing the careful movements and rituals that local people have practiced for generations.
2. Taste Traditional Chaozhou Tea Snacks
Tea is served with traditional snacks that balance the strong aroma and aftertaste of Phoenix Dancong tea.
The included snacks usually feature both savory and sweet flavors.
Savory Snacks
Local peanuts
Sunflower seeds
Crispy sesame sticks
Chaozhou Sweet Snacks
Fermented bean curd cakes (腐乳饼)
Green bean cakes (绿豆饼)
Aged medicinal preserved orange (老药桔)
Mini traditional pastries
Among them, aged preserved orange is a classic Chaozhou snack. Its sweet and slightly sour taste helps refresh the palate after drinking tea.
3. Watch Traditional Performances at the Tea House
The live performance is the biggest feature that makes Zaiyang Tea House different from ordinary tea houses.
The tea house has its own Zaiyang Art Troupe, and performers are professional opera artists rather than amateur performers.
The programs usually include:
Teochew Opera (潮剧)
Teochew opera is one of the most representative traditional arts of the region. Performers wear traditional costumes, complete with professional makeup, movements, and singing techniques.
Chaozhou Music
Visitors may also enjoy:
Chaozhou string music (潮州弦诗乐)
Guzheng performances
Pipa performances
Teochew folk songs
Republic-era style songs
The performance schedule changes regularly, but the combination of tea aroma, traditional music, and old architecture creates a unique cultural experience.
Location
Zaiyang Tea House
Address: No. 6 Yingju Lane, Yi’an Road, Xiangqiao District, Chaozhou
(潮州市湘桥区义安路英聚巷6号)
The tea house is located inside Chaozhou Ancient City, close to major attractions including:
Paifang Street
Kaiyuan Temple
Guangji Bridge
Xu Prince Consort Mansion
It is convenient to visit as part of a walking tour of the ancient city.
Performance Schedule
Regular Days
Afternoon:
14:00
15:00
16:00
17:00
Evening:
20:20
21:20
22:15
Holidays
During public holidays, performances usually start from around 10:00 and continue until 22:15, with more frequent sessions.
Each performance lasts about 30 minutes.
We are member of
Follow us on
Pay By
