Lao She Teahouse

Lao She Teahouse 老舍茶館

Camp, Chinese vaudeville plus tea and Chinese sweets
Located just off Tiananmen Square to the south west
Excellent, though pricey, teas and Chinese confectionary
Nightly performances of Beijing Opera, acrobatics and folk art
English speaking staff
Named after celebrated Chinese teacher, dramatist and novelist Lao She (1899-1966)

Lao She Teahouse, located a short walk from Tiananmen Square was founded in 1988.

Lao She Teahouse is named after the famous drama "Teahouse" by Lao She, a Chinese dramatist and author that spent time in London, the USA and Singapore and later became a deputy to the National People's Congress after the Communist Revolution.

Lao She died in mysterious circumstances during the Cultural Revolution after he was beaten by Red Guards at the Confucius Temple on the eve of his death.

Lao She Teahouse, Beijing, China. — Lao She Teahouse is a Beijing institution

Lao She Teahouse is frequented by rich Chinese guests and occasionally foreign bigwigs: US President George Bush, Henry Kissinger, German Prime Minister Helmut Kohl and the Japanese PM Toshiki Kaifu have all passed through its doors.

Evening performances include Beijing Opera, folk art, magic and acrobatics. Waiters and waitresses speak some English. Afternoons are not crowded but it may be wise to reserve for evening performances.