Chinese Tea House, Gardens of the World

At the foot of Kienberg in the Gardens of the World lies the Chinese Teahouse, named Berghaus zum Osmanthussaft, offering over 40 types of Chinese teas. As the house is undergoing renovation, operations are currently continuing at a waterside location with a view of the stone boat. The tea ceremony costs 20 Euros per person and requires prior booking.

Chinese Teahouse: Berghaus zum Osmanthussaft in the Gardens of the World

The Chinese Teahouse is named Berghaus zum Osmanthussaft and is located in the Chinese Garden of the Gardens of the World, at the foot of Kienberg. Surrounded by rock formations, bamboo, and pavilions, the terrace overlooks the pond in the center of the garden. The house is only accessible through the park; there is no separate external entrance. The best way to get there currently is via the main entrance at Blumberger Damm, as Eisenacher Straße is closed to vehicles due to a new bridge construction.

The teahouse is currently undergoing renovation. Operations are continuing at a specially set up waterside location during this time, with a view of the stone boat and plenty of bamboo, and the tea ceremony also takes place there. According to the teahouse, the offering includes over 40 selected Chinese tea varieties, along with pastries and steamed buns. Tea is served in a pot, a Chinese lidded cup, or a glass, so that the leaves can visibly unfurl.

Tea Ceremony and Tea Tasting at the Chinese Teahouse

The method of tea preparation demonstrated here dates back to the Ming Dynasty and is still widespread in southern China today. Tea Master Yali Yu has refined it over the years and explains each step during the ceremony. Depending on the variety, tea is infused two or more times, as the taste changes from one infusion to the next. The ceremony refers to Lu Yu and his Book of Tea from the eighth century.

For casual tea drinking, you can drop in spontaneously. However, the tea ceremony and tea tasting require prior booking and a group of at least eight people; smaller groups can join an open group. The ceremony costs 20 Euros per person, while the tasting with three featured tea varieties costs 30 Euros. Right next door is the Tsingtao Pavilion, offering soups, fried noodles, and spring rolls. Tea, tea sets, and Chinese handicrafts, from fans to terracotta figures, are also sold. On holidays and weekends, seats for tea drinking are generally not reservable.