The amazing city of Zanadu, was the Golden City, Marco Polo glorified in his journals in the 13th century. That fantastic city later became the geometric masterpiece that is modern day Beijing. From Beijing to West Mountain, today, is just a pleasant 2 hour drive into the greenery and sweet air of the countryside. // But when Marco Polo came here with the Royal Court of Kubla Khan, to enjoy the serenity of mountain solitude and nutritious teas it took over a day by Royal Cavalcade. Both then and now this secluded yet warmly inviting Buddhist Temple Tea House is a favorite, peaceful sanctuary for Beijing city dwellers to “get away” and quietly, escape to.

You know what delights me about the richness of modern China is that so much that’s OLD is NEW again. Just like this classically modern Tea House here in Beijing. So now follow me inside and I’ll show you what I mean.

Every year, with impressive regularity, the Laoshe Tea House wins the award for being the most authentic tea house in China. To come here is to step back in time and enjoy a taste of old Beijing. Locals, like THESE regulars, have been coming here often for years to enjoy the music, tea and atmosphere in the Public Tea Rooms. And the cost, for as long as you want to sit here…is just a few Yuan.

Then magically, as I opened and stepped through the heavy old oaken doors I felt like Aladdin’s Cave had come to life again reborn as a very special kind of Tea Room…”WOW”… here World Leaders, celebrities and VIP’s come, or are invited, [as in fact YOU are right now as MY extra special guest] to enjoy and indulge in another part of the Laoshe experience…Luxuriously appointed, uniquely and individually appointed private Tea Salons, favored for business meetings, family anniversaries and by foreign tourists too, who just want to ‘luxuriate,’ in the total Tea Experience. Here every room creates it’s own distinctive Chinese charm. It’s lush,… it’s plush… and it’s VERY inviting…creating an atmosphere of beautifully understated richness…This is Tea Culture with a capital “C”…and it’s all softly accompanied by the heavenly sounds of lilting Chinese classical zither music.