Xicha Kongjian Tea House in Dali

Location & Overview

I. Space Features & Cultural Immersion

• Highlight: A “Tea Ceremony Aesthetic Experience Zone” offers performances of Song Dynasty whipped tea and Tang Dynasty boiled tea (advance booking required). The tea master infuses local ingredients into desserts, such as snow tea jelly from Cangshan and rose-honeyed milk fan rolls, reflecting Dali’s culinary heritage.

II. Tea Varieties & Brewing Techniques

1. Gantong Tea: Grown on Cangshan’s Shengying Peak, praised by Xu Xiake in the Ming Dynasty. Brewed using the Bai “Thunderous Tea” method (roasting tea leaves over charcoal before steeping), it yields an amber-colored, pine-smoked broth.
2. Xiaguan Tuocha: Aged over 20 years, this classic tea from the century-old “Yongchangxiang” brand allows guests to experience the full process of prying, waking, and boiling tea.
3. Wild Ancient Cangshan Tea: Seasonal rare selections like 2,800m-altitude wild “Dark Tea” are available by inquiry.

III. Local Cultural Activities

• Bai Three-Course Tea Ceremony: Learn the “first bitter, second sweet, third lingering” ritual from intangible cultural inheritors, complete with traditional attire.
• Jianchuan Black Pottery Workshop: Collaborate with artisans to create and fire your own black pottery tea set.
• Tea Horse Road Storytelling: Hear tales of ancient caravan routes while savoring “Horse Roll” snacks (soybean flour glutinous rice cakes).

IV. Deep Exploration Around Dali

1. Yangrenjie Cultural Walk:
   • “Old Banyan Tree Story Corner”: Listen to Bai elders sing folk songs with three-stringed instruments over roasted tea.
   • Dali Intangible Heritage Museum: Try woodblock printing and embroidery within a 5-minute walk.
2. Cangshan Hiking Routes:
   • “Tea Sage Path”: A 3-hour trek to Zhonghe Temple, passing Ming Dynasty tea gardens and ending with panoramic Erhai views.
   • Jizhao’an Temple: A 20-minute drive to this Zen temple surrounded by succulents, offering vegetarian meals and temple tea.
3. Evening Cultural Scene:
   • Friday Night Poetry & Tea Gatherings: Local poets and guests improvise verses while enjoying tea wine (low-alcohol tea distillate).
   • People’s Road Folk Music: Explore bars like “Da Bing’s Cabin” for Dali’s folk music scene.

V. Practical Updates

• Hours: Winter 9:30-22:00 | Summer 9:00-22:30 (open daily).
• Booking: 1 day in advance, specifying preferences.
• Transport: Park at Yangrenjie Central Square and walk 3 minutes, or take the scenic shuttle to “Huguo Road Station.”
• Nearby Eats:
  • Zaihuishou Cold Chicken Noodles (50m away, try with papaya soup).
  • Shijing Private Kitchen (8-minute walk, famous for sour fish and water mimosa soup).

VI. Tips for Visitors

• Dress Code: Free Hanfu rentals available (deposit required). Light-colored clothing recommended for photography.
• Seasonal Offerings: Limited-edition teas like pre-Qingming “Cangshan Snow Bud” during tea festivals (book 1 week ahead).
• Eco-Friendly: 10% discount for BYO cups; biodegradable tea bags and bamboo plates provided.