Teahouses in Beijing and Shanghai are quite different. Culture and tradition in the two cities makes old things fascinating and comparable.

Best-loved teahouses in Beijing

Tea has been a deeply-rooted part of Chinese life since it first rose to popularity more than 1-thousand years ago, during the Tang Dynasty. There's white tea for spring, green tea for summer, oolong tea for autumn, and black tea for winter. And with tea there are always teahouses popular with locals and visitors alike, from farmers and workers to celebrities. Now we take a closer look at three of the most popular teahouses in Beijing.

Laoshe Tea House

Laoshe Tea House is just a 10-minute walk from Tiananmen square. It's popular both with overseas tourists and locals. In the space of two hours, you can experience the life of old Beijing: sipping cups of tea and munching snacks, while watching a revue of the most popular Chinese traditional performances.

The tea house takes its name from the noted writer Lao She. His drama "Teahouse" is a vivid portrayal of the social dimensions of old Beijing.

Laoshe Teahouse was founded in 1988. It soon became popular for offering "Dawancha" or "big-bowl tea", a tradition that has been running for more than 2 decades. The best part is that the price has never changed. Today, you can still get a refreshing bowl for only two Chinese cents.

Every night features a 90-minute extravaganza. The highlight is the Kungfu tea, a combination of the two Chinese icons. Many wonder why the tea comes in a long-spouted pot. And why it's made of bronze. You'll just have to check it out for yourself at the teahouse.