Pu Lu Tea House pairs a pot of Chinese tea with a perch near Houhai Lake, in the old Shichahai area of Beijing. I like two things in particular: you can choose from several broad tea categories, and the setting offers a welcome pause from the city, with warm wood, blue brick details, and a quiet, traditional feel.
The main catch is that this is a single-tea set, not necessarily a guided tasting. The trees may also block much of the lake view, and the address can be tricky to find, so go in expecting a peaceful tea stop rather than a guaranteed panorama or a full tea lesson.
- The useful details at a glance
- A quiet room near Houhai
- What happens during the tea stop
- Choosing a tea that suits your visit
- The view: lovely setting, uncertain sightline
- Is .65 good value?
- Finding the tea house and arranging your visit
- Who will enjoy this stop most?
- Should you book Pu Lu Tea House?
- FAQ
- Where is Pu Lu Tea House?
- What are the opening hours?
- How much does the single-person set cost?
- Which teas can I choose from?
- Are refreshments included?
- Is a tea explanation included?
- Are private rooms included?
- Is there an age limit?
- How do I redeem the voucher?
- When should I contact the operator?
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The useful details at a glance
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9 / 9- One tea, chosen from five categories: Pu-erh, oolong, white, black, or green tea.
- Houhai is the setting: The tea house sits at No. 28, on the lake’s south bank, though the view can be partly screened by trees.
- Refreshments vary: You may receive dried or fresh fruit, candied fruit, cookies, or other available snacks. A particular pastry is not guaranteed.
- Tea explanations are not included: Tea classes and salons are offered by the venue, but the set does not include an explanation service.
- The single-person set starts at $29.65: Ask in advance how the serving works if you are booking for two.
- Finding the entrance takes care: Xiaoshibei Alley is a useful nearby landmark mentioned by a customer who found the place difficult to locate.
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A quiet room near Houhai
The tea house is at No. 28, Houhai South Bank, in Beijing’s Xicheng District. That puts it in the Shichahai area, where the lakeside setting is part of the appeal. The tea house describes its second-floor windows and a secluded balcony as places to look out over the water, but don’t make the view the sole reason for booking: trees can obstruct the sightline.
Inside, expect a style built around wood, blue brick, bamboo lamps, and a calm, traditional atmosphere. That can make this a pleasant counterpoint to a day spent walking around Beijing. Instead of another busy meal or a quick drink, you get time to sit down, choose a tea, and slow the pace.
The mood is one of the strongest reasons to come. A customer described the place as romantic and quiet, and that fits the idea of a tucked-away tea room beside the lake. Still, calm is not the same as guaranteed privacy. Private rooms are unavailable with this package, and any private room arrangement would cost extra.
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What happens during the tea stop
This is a seated tea experience rather than a multi-stop tour. You arrive at Pu Lu Tea House, provide the name used for your booking, and choose one tea from five options: Pu-erh, oolong, white, black, or green. The venue also refers to specific teas such as West Lake Longjing and aged Pu-erh, but the set description promises a choice by category, not a particular named tea.
The tea house’s specialty is Keyi Tan Osmanthus Aged Tieguanyin, described as twenty-year-old aged tea infused with osmanthus. It sounds like an intriguing option if it is available for your visit, but it is not listed as a guaranteed part of the single-person set. Ask what is on offer before you settle on your selection.
Tea is served by staff who are described as skilled in the characteristics and brewing of different tea types. The venue also promotes tea ceremony classes and salons where participants can learn more about brewing. But keep the package distinction clear: an explanation service is not included in this set. If you want a lesson, ask the operator whether a separate class is available and what it costs.
The refreshments are another variable. The set includes refreshments subject to on-site availability, with examples such as dried fruit, fresh fruit, candied fruit, and cookies. The tea house also describes pastries such as osmanthus rice cake and Longjing shortbread, but neither is guaranteed by the package details. Think of the snack as a small accompaniment, not a full spread.
Choosing a tea that suits your visit
The five categories give you a useful starting point, especially if you do not already have a favorite. Green tea such as Longjing is described as fresh and sweet in its aftertaste, while aged Pu-erh is presented as mellow and lingering. Oolong, white, and black tea are also choices, though the set does not promise a tasting flight or multiple pots.
If you have a particular tea in mind, ask what is available before booking or when you arrive. The tea house describes careful sourcing from major tea-growing areas and says its tea masters can tailor recommendations to the season and individual constitution. That broader consultation may be part of the venue’s tea service, but the set does not promise a formal, personalized explanation. A clear question at the start can help you understand what is included.
For a first visit to Chinese tea, the best approach is to choose a category you are curious about and ask how it is brewed. You may get a useful answer from the staff, but don’t assume that your booking covers a structured lesson. If you want the full cultural context, a separate tea class or salon may suit you better than this basic set.
The view: lovely setting, uncertain sightline
The lakeside location is a genuine draw. The south bank of Houhai gives the tea house a sense of place, and the windows and balcony are intended to frame the water. A quiet cup near the lake can feel special without requiring a long excursion or elaborate plan.
But the view is not guaranteed to match promotional photos. Trees can screen much of the water, so the room may feel more like a pleasant teahouse than a front-row lakeside perch. I would book for the combination of tea and atmosphere, then treat a clear view as a bonus.
This also makes the season and time of day worth considering, although no specific best viewing time is promised. The venue is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., giving you room to fit in a daytime pause or an evening visit. If seeing the water matters most, contact the operator and ask which seating is available, while understanding that a particular table is not guaranteed.
Is $29.65 good value?
The single-person set starts at $29.65. Whether that feels worthwhile depends on what you expect to receive. If you value a quiet place to sit, one selected tea, a small snack, and a lakeside setting, the price may make sense as a relaxing stop in the Shichahai area.
It is less compelling if you expect a guided tasting, several kinds of tea, or a generous selection of traditional pastries. The set covers one tea from five categories and refreshments that vary; it does not include a tea explanation, private room, or personal expenses. The difference between those expectations matters. This is not priced as a full meal or a formal tea course.
If you are going with someone else, confirm how the tea is served. One customer reported that two people received one pot, so it is sensible to ask whether each person needs to book a separate set or whether a shared pot is standard. The package is listed as a single-person set, so do not assume two people automatically receive two pots.
Finding the tea house and arranging your visit
Use the full address: No. 28, Houhai South Bank, Shichahai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing. The entrance can be hard to spot, and Xiaoshibei Alley is a useful landmark to look for nearby. Allow a little extra time rather than planning to arrive at the last minute.
After placing your order, contact the operator to confirm your visit date and arrange an arrival time. The booking confirmation is expected within 24 hours; if it does not arrive, contact customer support. The voucher is valid only on the specified date, and you can redeem it by giving the name used when booking.
The venue is open Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. There is no age limit. Enter your real name and mobile phone number when booking, as requested, and check the tea and snack details if you have a specific preference.
Who will enjoy this stop most?
I’d consider Pu Lu Tea House if you are already exploring Shichahai and want a quiet break, or if you enjoy trying Chinese tea without committing to a full class. It also suits a couple looking for a calm setting, provided both people understand the single-set arrangement and confirm how many pots they will receive.
Families can ask about the tea study tours the venue offers, but those are not included in the single-person set. The same applies to tea ceremony classes and salons. Business meetings may be possible in the venue, but a private room is not available with this package and would require an additional fee.
If your priority is a long explanation of tea culture, a broad tasting, or guaranteed panoramic lake views, this may not be the right choice. If you want one pot in a pleasant setting and can be flexible about the snack and sightline, it can be a peaceful addition to a day around Houhai.
Should you book Pu Lu Tea House?
Book it for the pause, not the promise of a full tea education. The best case is a well-brewed tea, a modest snack, and a quiet seat near one of Beijing’s appealing lakeside neighborhoods. The main risks are a partly blocked view, a hard-to-find entrance, and expectations that exceed what the single-person set includes.
Before paying, confirm whether your chosen tea is available, what refreshments are being served, and how the pot arrangement works for your group. If those answers suit you, Pu Lu Tea House offers a simple way to sit down and enjoy tea in the Shichahai area. If you need a guided tasting or a private room, ask about a separate arrangement rather than assuming it comes with this set.
Beijing Pu Lu Tea House
“One of the most unique and impressive places in Beijing! So romantic and quiet! A great choice of different tea. it was not easy to find for me, I…”
FAQ
Where is Pu Lu Tea House?
It is at No. 28, Houhai South Bank, Shichahai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing.
What are the opening hours?
The tea house is open every day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
How much does the single-person set cost?
The single-person set starts at US$29.65.
Which teas can I choose from?
The set offers one choice from Pu-erh, oolong, white, black, or green tea.
Are refreshments included?
Yes. Refreshments are included, subject to on-site availability. Examples include dried fruit, fresh fruit, candied fruit, and cookies.
Is a tea explanation included?
No. An explanation service is not included in the set.
Are private rooms included?
No. Private rooms are not included, and additional fees apply.
Is there an age limit?
No. The activity has no age limit.
How do I redeem the voucher?
Provide the name used when placing the order.
When should I contact the operator?
Contact the operator after placing your order to confirm your travel date and schedule your arrival time.
