Who would have imagined that you could experience an authentic Song-dynasty tea-whisking ritual, known as Dian Cha (点茶), in such an elegant setting?
For those who are unfamiliar with it, Dian Cha is a traditional Chinese method of preparing tea. It developed from earlier tea-making practices and became particularly popular during the Song Dynasty, when tea culture reached a highly refined level.
The Song Dynasty was known for its refined appreciation of everyday life, and tea was an important part of this culture. Alongside tea, activities such as burning incense, hanging paintings, and arranging flowers were regarded as elegant pursuits among the literati.
Today, I had the chance to experience this beautiful tradition for myself at Yi Min An Shi Tea House (亦岷安石·茶室) in Shenzhen.
📍 Practical Information
Name of the Tea House: Yi Min An Shi Tea House (亦岷安石·茶室)
Location: 2nd Floor, Yimin Ping’an Hotel, Caitian Road, Futian District, Shenzhen
Nearest Metro Station: Gangxia North Station, Exit 18 — 500 meters on foot
Price: ¥90 per person
Opening Hours: 10:00–19:00
🌲 Environment
The setting is truly stunning. A massive stone gate marks the entrance and immediately creates an impressive first impression.
Inside, tall glass cabinets display elegant tea ware and premium tea leaves. The space is divided into several semi-private seating areas, each with its own character. The combination of traditional elements and carefully arranged décor creates an atmosphere that feels elegant, serene, and beautifully curated.
💁 Service
The staff are polite, well-dressed, and attentive. When they are not too busy, they also provide one-on-one guidance, which makes the tea-whisking process much easier to follow, especially if you’ve never tried Dian Cha before.
✨ Tea‑Whisking Experience
When we arrived, two complete sets of Song-style tea-whisking tools were already arranged on the table. We first watched a short five-minute video explaining the basic steps of the ritual.
The process included:
Warming the tea bowl
Rinsing the bamboo whisk
Adding the tea powder
Adding warm water in stages
Whisking until a layer of fine, creamy foam forms
Creating your own characters or patterns on the foam using tea powder
And yes, my husband even drew our cat on the tea foam. 😂
The art of creating patterns on tea foam is one of the most fascinating parts of Dian Cha. Historically, whisked tea and its froth became an important part of Song-dynasty tea culture, and people even developed techniques for creating images on the surface of the tea.
Afterward, the finished foam was scooped into a flower-shaped glass cup. The tea tasted smooth and aromatic, making the whole experience both relaxing and memorable.They also served a selection of traditional Chinese snacks alongside the tea. They were light, crispy, and pleasantly crunchy, and honestly, I really enjoyed all of them.
📚Overall Experience
I really enjoyed this experience. Rather than simply drinking tea, you actually get to make it yourself and experience a traditional tea ritual that dates back centuries.
The full session lasts around two hours, although the actual tea-whisking process takes only about 15 minutes. The remaining time is free for relaxing, chatting, and enjoying the tea house. Complimentary cookies and snacks are also provided.
There is also a clean and tidy restroom inside the tea house, equipped with a smart toilet.
For anyone interested in Chinese tea culture, traditional crafts, or simply trying something different in Shenzhen, I think this is a really interesting experience. It’s calm, hands-on, and gives you a chance to experience a small part of the refined tea culture of the Song Dynasty rather than simply reading about it.
There is also a stylish café on the ground floor of the building, which is run by the same owner as the tea house. I’ve heard that they occasionally host coffee-related talks and events there as well, so if you’re interested in coffee, it might be worth checking out too. ☕
（First upload: May 30th, 2026; Updated September 19th, 2026）
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