After a morning eating your way through our Street Eats – Breakfast or exploring Shanghai’s best tourist sites, enjoy a relaxing afternoon taking a deep dive into China’s amazing world of tea. Wan Ling, a native of tea-rich Fujian province, has been operating one of Shanghai’s most relaxing tea houses since 2004. In 2017, she relocated to an art-deco lane house with private garden, hidden in the lanes of the former French Concession. It doesn’t get more tranquil.
Wan Ling sources all her teas and tea ware directly from the farmers and artisans, ensuring the best quality, value and provenance. Her years of working with tea and fluency in English offers an unmatched opportunity for visitors to experience Chinese tea and discover that it is so much more than just a drink.
Wan Ling curated the three different tea experiences below for UnTour Guests. (For residents of Shanghai, Wan Ling also offers longer training programs that can be customized based on experience and need.) Read on to find out more about Shanghai’s best tea house.
Tea Tasting
The saying “All the tea in China” is no joke – there’s more varietals and flavors than wine! Wan Ling explains the different types of Chinese tea while brewing the leaves of 2-3 varietals and pouring cups for tastings. Wan Ling’s patience and zen demeanor, not to mention her meticulously-sourced teas and deep knowledge are the reason why we do not hesitate to call this Shanghai’s best tea house.
Price: RMB 400 per person (min/max: 1/8 guests)
Timing: 2 hours
Tea Workshop
This hands-on experience teaches guests tea preparation skills, from properly washing tea in a gaiwan (lidded teacup) to pouring tea from an Yixing teapot. Designed for any skill level, this tea workshop helps guests refine their techniques and is customized to meet the specific needs of the group.
Price: RMB 400 per person (min/max: 1/4 guests)
Timing: 2 hours
Tea Art (Cha Yi)
This traditional Chinese tea ceremony demonstrates how to make tea in a way that helps get the best from the tea leaf, while also bringing relaxation and peace to those enjoying the tea. There is almost something mesmerising about the way tea can be prepared, so take a seat, relax and enjoy the experience as time slows down. At the end of the ceremony, guests will have a greater understanding about how the practice of enjoying tea can help create a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
Price: RMB 400 per person (min/max: 1/8 guests)
Timing: 2 hours
Large Groups: Please contact Wan Ling to discuss larger groups.
How to Book
All bookings are by appointment only.
OR contact Wan Ling by mobile (+86 (0) 135 6424 8308), WeChat (wanlingteahouse) or email (shanghai@wanlingteahouse.com) to make your booking in advance.
Recommended Timing: 10-12pm, 1-3pm and evenings, but please contact Wan Ling if you require a different schedule.
Where: By appointment only – 1F, # 1, 156 Yuqing Rd, near Guangyuan Rd. 余庆路156弄1号1楼近广元路. Click here to download a printable business card.
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