A Cup of Herbs, A City Healed: Shanghainese “Chunfeng” — A Journey of Urban Wellness through Oriental Herbal Tea
When people think of drinks in Shanghai, the first thing that comes to mind might be a sophisticated coffee by the Bund or a sugary bubble tea from a street corner. However, within the pulse of this modern metropolis, a quieter trend is taking shape: Chunfeng (Oriental Herbal Tea).
For travelers looking beyond classic milk tea, Chunfeng represents a different side of Shanghai’s modern drink culture—one where wellness, aesthetics, and traditional Chinese wisdom meet. It’s not just a tea shop, but a window into how young Shanghainese are redefining health in the middle of a fast-paced city.
Origins & Rise: An Herbal Oasis in the Concrete Jungle
The story of Chunfeng began in 2016, at a time when urban burnout and health anxiety were becoming part of everyday life. Among China’s younger generation, a new concept emerged: “Punk Wellness.” People stayed up late, worked hard, socialized intensely—and then searched for small, daily ways to restore balance.
Chunfeng positioned itself perfectly within this mindset. Built on the philosophy of “food and medicine from the same source,” the brand combines traditional Chinese herbal ingredients—such as ginseng, goji berries, chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, and kudzu root—with the visual language of modern trendy drinks.
Instead of presenting itself as something medicinal or intimidating, Chunfeng reframes herbal tea as everyday nourishment. Wellness becomes approachable, Instagrammable, and easy to integrate into urban life.
Signature Drinks & Spaces: Drinkable Oriental Aesthetics
Signature Drinks for Modern City Life
Popular Chunfeng drinks read like a gentle wellness guide for Shanghai’s office workers and students:
- Royal Jelly “Stay-up-Late” Water (Ao Ye Shui): The brand’s most iconic drink. A whole ginseng root sits visibly inside the bottle, mixed with royal jelly and kudzu. It’s designed for late nights, heavy workloads, and mental fatigue.
- Green Juice “Fat-Scraper” Water: Made with kale and lotus leaf, this drink is especially popular after rich meals or night-market feasts.
- Peach Gum & Tremella “Glow” Water: Inspired by traditional Chinese dessert soups, this drink focuses on hydration and skin health, offering a modern twist on classic ingredients.
The Space: A Minimalist Healing Station
Chunfeng’s store design mirrors its philosophy. Instead of loud colors or crowded menus, the shops emphasize raw wood, white space, and greenery. Herbal ingredients are displayed like art pieces, and the overall atmosphere feels calm and uncluttered.
Whether you walk into a flagship store in Jing’an or a small shop inside an office building, the experience feels less like grabbing a drink and more like stepping into a short pause from city life.
Where to Find Chunfeng in Shanghai
For travelers, Chunfeng is easy to find. Stores are commonly located in shopping malls, office lobbies, and busy commercial streets around areas such as Jing’an Temple, Xintiandi, iapm Mall, and Lujiazui.
While the brand originated in Shanghai, it has expanded to other major Chinese cities including Beijing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu, reflecting the growing demand for functional, wellness-focused drinks across urban China.
The Bottom Line: A Different Taste of Shanghai
Chunfeng is more than a tea brand—it represents a softer, calmer layer of Shanghai’s drink culture. For international visitors, it offers a small but meaningful cultural experience: a chance to taste how tradition adapts to modern life.
If you’re exploring the city’s beverage scene, Chunfeng provides a refreshing contrast to Shanghai’s vibrant milk tea trend. To understand how these styles coexist, you can also explore our full guide to Shanghai milk tea and trendy local drinks, where sweetness, creativity, and wellness all find their place in the city.
