Heming Teahouse Chengdu: Authentic Chengdu Teahouse Experience
To truly experience Chengdu’s famous “slow life,” a visit to an authentic teahouse is a must. Among the city’s many Chengdu teahouses, Heming Teahouse Chengdu (Hè Míng Chá Shè) in People’s Park stands out as a living museum of local culture. Under century-old Chinese parasol trees, thousands of bamboo chairs form an open-air teahouse—the perfect place to enjoy the authentic “Bā Shì,” a term for ultimate comfort and ease.
Heming Teahouse: A Slice of Life from a Century Ago
Heming is Chengdu’s oldest teahouse, operating since 1923. It’s simple yet charming, with bamboo chairs, wooden tables, and fragrant cups of tea. Step inside, and you’re transported back in time to old Chengdu. The sounds of birdsong and laughter mingle with the crisp jingling of ear-picking tools, creating the most vibrant and authentic snapshot of Chengdu teahouses culture.
Quick Facts
- Address: Inside People’s Park, 12 Shaocheng Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu
- Hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM (teahouse); Sichuan Opera shows run all day.
- Average Cost: 20–50 RMB (tea and snacks).
- Best Time to Visit:
- Peak Avoidance: Avoid midday on weekends—it gets as crowded as a festival.
- Golden Hours: Visit before 9:00 AM or after 4:00 PM on weekdays for a quieter experience.
- Secret Tip: Early morning tea (7:00–8:00 AM) offers soft light and fewer people, perfect for photos.
- How to Get There:
- Metro: Take Line 2 to People’s Park Station, use Exit B, and walk for 5 minutes.
- Taxi: Set your destination to “People’s Park East Gate.”
How to Order Tea: From Beginner to Pro
Tea Recommendations:
- Beginner-Friendly: Huamaofeng (25 RMB/cup), a clean and elegant green tea.
- Classic Choice: Jasmine Tea (18 RMB/cup), the flavor locals grew up with.
- Heritage Experience: Mengding Huangya (higher price), a mellow thousand-year-old tea.
Ordering Steps:
- Find an empty bamboo chair and wooden table
- An auntie in a light-blue uniform will take your tea order
- An auntie in a dark-blue uniform will take your snack order
- Optional: Get a set menu (e.g., 88 RMB combo) from nearby Kuanzhai Alley, delivered to your seat
Hidden Service:
- Free, unlimited hot water refills
- Tea Lid Code:
- Tilt lid to request more water
- Upside down to signal finished
- Master these tricks and you’ll feel like a local!
Can’t-Miss Experiences
Sichuan Opera Show:
- Time: All day, around 40 minutes per show.
- What You’ll See: Face-changing, fire-spitting, opera excerpts, and the long-spout teapot tea ceremony (a provincial cultural heritage).
- Tip: A standard tea purchase allows you to enjoy the show. A 58 RMB seat gives you a front-row view. On holidays, arrive an hour early.
Ear-Picking:
- Cost: 30 RMB for ~10 minutes
- Experience: Copper bell sounds tingle your scalp
- Pro Tip: For a more professional session, find a master in a local alley
Tips for Amazing Photos
- Best Spots: The lakeside bamboo chairs (great reflections), the century-old “Tiger Stove” (for a vintage feel), or a Sichuan Opera actor in makeup (ask politely!).
- Best Time: Morning (8:00–9:00 AM) for soft light; afternoon (4:00–6:00 PM) for a warm, golden glow.
- Nearby Trip: Spend around 2 hours at Heming, then take a 15-minute walk to Kuanzhai Alley to explore traditional Sichuan courtyards.
Heads-Up Before You Go
- Rules: It’s one person, one tea, one seat—no sharing.
- Tea Quality: Teas from 18–25 RMB are often bagged. Teas over 58 RMB are freshly brewed. The basic tea is perfect for the experience.
- Alternative: If Heming is crowded, try Daci Temple Teahouse inside a thousand-year-old temple for a more peaceful, spiritual vibe.
- A Note on Reality: Weekends and holidays can be crowded and noisy—this is part of Chengdu’s charm. Slow service and difficulty getting lakeside seats are normal.
Embrace the lively atmosphere. Grab a cup of tea, find a quiet moment amid the buzz, and watch the locals: elderly people napping, aunties chatting, and students studying. There are no outsiders here, just a shared love for life.
Discover your own Chengdu moment at Heming Teahouse Chengdu, a timeless icon among Chengdu teahouses.
