| China, the Homeland of Tea
Of the three major beverages of the world -- tea, coffee and cocoa -- tea is consumed by the largest number of people.
Tea, the most popular beverage for the Chinese, is one of China's specialties and traditional exports. According to historical data, China began to grow tea about two thousand years ago during the period of the Warring States (475-221BC).
It is universally acknowledged that China is the original tea-growing area, as well as the first country to grow, produce and drink tea.
In the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) Dynasties a popular custom was tea appraising. Over the long history of drinking tea, a special and simple Chinese tea culture came into being. Drinking tea was not only for quenching thirst or for enjoyment, but also for the promotion of friendship and mutual understanding. Folk customs of drinking tea reflected the ancient Chinese people's great interest in tea culture.
People often used tea as a betrothal gift; for it could not be "transplanted." After accepting tea as a betrothal gift, a girl could not capriciously change her decision to marry her fiancé.
Entertainment of guests to tea is the most fundamental social behavior in the Chinese people's contacts with each other. When a guest comes, the Chinese will offer him or her a cup of tea to express friendship.
China is the home country of tea. Before the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Chinese tea was exported by land and sea, first to Japan and Korea, then to India and Central Asia and, in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties, to the Arabian Peninsula. In the early period of the 17th century, Chinese tea was exported to Europe, where the upper class adopted the fashion of drinking tea. Chinese tea, like Chinese silk and china, is an outstanding contribution to the world's material and spiritual civilization. Savoring Tea in Beijing Chinese tea culture is among the best of Chinese culture. The tea ceremony is a very profound and complex thing, and it seems that only with a pure heart and few worldly desires can a man get its quintessence. 
However, for the common people, at least those in Beijing, such a state free from vulgarity can never be attained. Therefore, the teahouses in Beijing, different from those in other places, have never been places of peace and quiet. Instead, they are always hustling and bustling. Perhaps this has something with the Beijingers' disposition: fearful of quiet, and fond of communication, especially that of group chatting. Hence, the teahouses provide perfect venues for them to gather together and talk of everything under the sun with great gusto.
Teahouses in Old Beijing
The Beijing teahouse came into vogue in late years of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), with a great variety, such as green-tea, book-telling, wild, and wine teahouses.
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Famous Teahouses in modern Beijing
Savoring tea is an absolute enjoyment. In recent years, teahouses have sprung up in Beijing and have attracted an increasing number of customers with their exquisite tea wares, pleasant surroundings, and fabulous tea ceremony shows. While indulging in the joy brought on by the color, fragrance, and taste of tea, one may also feel submersed in the traditions of Chinese tea culture.
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