The Ultimate Guide to Beijing Milk Tea: 10 Recommended Shops (Including Beijing Exclusives)

Why These 10 Shops?

• Comprehensive Coverage: These shops are everywhere—scenic spots, hutongs, commercial districts, and university neighborhoods. Perfect for any itinerary.
• Budget-Friendly: Prices range from ¥5 to ¥30, suitable for backpackers and foodies alike.
• Distinctive Features: This list highlights Beijing-exclusive brands, innovative tea houses, and viral favorites across the city.
• Tourist-Friendly: Most shops support English ordering and mobile payments, and some even offer cultural experiences.

The Top 10 Must-Try Milk Tea Shops in Beijing

1. Mixue Bingcheng (MXBC)

• Price: ¥5–15
• Why It’s Famous: A national giant with an incredible number of locations—Beijing is its paradise. Great for quick, cheap, refreshing drinks.
• Must-Try:
  • Lemonade (¥4): Crisp, refreshing balance of sweet and sour—perfect on warm days.
  • Peach Four Seasons Spring Tea (¥8): Light fruit tea ideal for those who prefer a milder sweetness.
  • Shaking Milkshake (¥6): Shake the cream top yourself for a fun interactive twist.
• Cultural Reference: Staff sometimes teach the “Snow King Dance”—MXBC’s snowman mascot is a pop icon in China.
• Where to Find: Near subway stations, malls, and hutong entrances—you’ll likely see one within minutes.

2. Cha Bai Dao (Teatalk)

• Price: ¥12–22
• Why It’s Famous: A Sichuan-born brand beloved by young Beijingers, known for frequent seasonal releases and creative flavors.
• Must-Try:
  • Mango Pomelo Sago (Yangzhi Ganlu) (¥18): Bright mango and pomelo notes with soft sago pearls.
  • Soy Milk Jade Qilin (¥16): Rich soy aroma with Oolong tea and a silky cream top.
  • Tieguanyin Tea Jelly (¥15): Strong Oolong base with smooth tea jelly.
• Hidden Hack: Order less sugar and add Crispy Bobo for extra crunch.
• Where to Find: Sanlitun, Wudaokou, Chaoyang Joy City, and other trendy areas.

3. Yi Dian Dian (1998 One Dian Dian)

• Price: ¥10–20
• Why It’s Famous: A Taiwanese classic that has remained a favorite among Beijingers for over a decade.
• Must-Try:
  • Four Seasons Milk Tea (¥13): A timeless blend—best with boba.
  • Ice Cream Black Tea (¥18): Freshly brewed black tea topped with vanilla ice cream.
  • Yakult Green Tea (¥15): Sweet, tangy, and refreshing—pairs surprisingly well with Peking Duck.
• Cultural Tip: Staff often ask sweetness and topping preferences. Try: “Three-tenths sugar, plus boba, thank you!”
  (Sān fēn táng, jiā bōbà, xièxie!)
• Where to Find: Wangfujing, Xidan, Zhongguancun, and other tourist hotspots.

4. Wuyutai Tea Shop (Tea Heritage Brand)

• Price: ¥15–25
• Beijing Exclusive! Founded in 1887, Wuyutai is a heritage tea house that blends tradition with modern tastes.
• Must-Try:
  • Floral Tea Ice Cream Milk Tea (¥22): Jasmine tea, vanilla ice cream, and osmanthus jam on the rim.
  • Green Tea Milk Tea (¥18): Deep tea profile with restrained sweetness.
• Cultural Bonus: Browse antique tea tins and learn imperial tea stories while you wait.
• Where to Find: Near Qianmen Street, Wangfujing, and Nanluoguxiang.

5. Fu Xiaotao

• Price: ¥20–30
• Why It’s Famous: Japanese-style aesthetics, photogenic cups, and elegant fruit-forward drinks.
• Must-Try:
  • Strawberry Daifuku Milk Tea (¥25): Strawberry pieces, mochi, and a rich cream top—dessert-like indulgence.
  • White Peach Oolong (¥22): Fragrant and refreshing, ideal in warmer months.
• Beijing Exclusive:
  Hutong Seasons: Cherry Snowfall—white peach Oolong with salted sakura cream.
• Photo Tips: Capture your drink against the Forbidden City’s red walls or a hutong archway for viral-worthy shots.
• Where to Find: Sanlitun, Hopson One, and Chaoyang Joy City.

6. Chayan Yuese (Sexy Tea)

• Price: ¥15–25
• Why It’s Famous: A Hunan powerhouse with only three Beijing stores, known for long queues and intense tea aromas.
• Must-Try:
  • Whispering Oolong (Sheng Sheng Wulong) (¥18): Ceylon black tea, milk, and osmanthus jelly.
  • Orchid Latte (Yōulán Nāttiě) (¥22): Black tea with cream and crunchy pecans.
• Beijing Exclusive:
  Glazed Tile—butterfly pea milk tea topped with gold sugar inspired by Cloisonné art.
• Queue Tips: Arrive on weekday mornings or order delivery.
• Where to Find: Chaoyang Joy City, Hopson One, and Xidan Joy City.

7. Bengong’s Tea (This Palace’s Tea)

• Price: ¥18–28
• Why It’s Famous: A Beijing original known for luxurious Chinese-style aesthetics.
• Must-Try:
  • White Peach Oolong Fresh Milk Tea (¥22): Peach pieces + Oolong with elegant calligraphy cups.
  • Green Grape Iced Tea (¥20): Shine Muscat grapes and green tea—crisp and refreshing.
• Beijing Exclusive:
  Tanghulu Cream Top—a mini candied hawthorn skewer on top!
• Cultural Tip: “Běngōng” means “This Palace,” adding imperial flair to your photos.
• Where to Find: Wudaokou, Sanlitun, and Wangjing.

8. Happy Lemon

• Price: ¥12–20
• Why It’s Famous: Internationally known with fun hidden items in Beijing.
• Must-Try:
  • Rock Salt Cheese Green Tea (¥18): Salty-sweet cream top with refreshing green tea.
  • Cake Cream Boba Milk Tea (¥20): Cake batter sauce + boba = rich, decadent texture.
• Beijing Hidden Item:
  Copper Pot Shabu Shabu Milk Tea—with sesame-sauce-flavored cream (winter exclusive!).
• Where to Find: Chongwenmen, Chaoyangmen, Zhongguancun.

9. Lelecha (Lelicha)

• Price: ¥25–35
• Why It’s Famous: A Shanghai trendsetter; Beijing branches offer exclusive breads—perfect for “bread + milk tea” fans.
• Must-Try:
  • Strawberry Peach Cheese (¥32): Chunky fruit blend with a cheese cream cap.
  • Taro Mochi Fresh Milk Tea (¥30): Thick taro mash and chewy mochi.
• Beijing Exclusive:
  Tanghulu Milk Snow Ice—milk smoothie with a tanghulu skewer.
• Extra Perk: Try Beijing-exclusive breads like Lǚ Dǎ Gǔn or tanghulu-style pastries.
• Where to Find: Chaoyang Joy City, Hopson One, China World Mall.

10. Taoli Alley

• Price: ¥18–28
• Beijing Exclusive: A Beijing-original wellness tea brand blending hutong culture with modern flavors—available only in the capital.
• Must-Try:
  • Classic Pear Soup (Xiǎo Diào Lí Tāng) (¥18): Slow-simmered snow pears, white fungus, and traditional ingredients create a golden, naturally sweet soup known for nourishing the lungs and skin.
  • Peach Pear Fresh Milk (¥20): Pear soup combined with fresh milk, white peach chunks, and osmanthus jam. Beautiful to photograph and full of layered, refreshing textures.
  • Beijing-Style Pear Scented Cheese (¥25): Pear soup base blended with Almond Tofu, topped with a rich cheese foam and crushed hawthorn flakes. A multi-layered drink that captures authentic Beijing flavors.
• Where to Find: Nanluoguxiang, Shichahai, and Wudaoying Hutong—popular artsy districts perfect for slow exploring.

Ultimate Beijing Milk Tea Tips

• Avoiding Queues: Chayan Yuese and Lelecha often have long lines on weekends—visit during off-peak hours.
• Sweetness Levels: Drinks can be sweet; request “three-tenths sugar” (sān fēn táng) or “no sugar” (wú táng).
• Hot or Iced: Every milk tea can be served hot or iced depending on the season.
• Payment: All shops accept Alipay/WeChat Pay, even for international visitors.
• Cultural Experience: Watch staff “pull tea” (lā chá), a classic technique preserved in select tea houses.

The Bottom Line

There’s no single “must-drink” milk tea in Beijing, but these 10 shops are loved by locals and consistently praised by visitors. Short on time? You can’t go wrong with any major chain (MXBC, Cha Bai Dao, Yi Dian Dian). After all, milk tea is part of everyday life in modern China. 🥤 For more ways to taste the city, take a look at our full guide on Beijing’s Local Food Trails.