Tea party

The old Lao She Teahouse has just finished a revamp. After half a year's renovation, the three-storey teahouse has made major changes to the ground floor entrance, part of the 2nd floor, and the restaurant on the 3rd floor. A brand new facade of the teahouse is said to feature a carving resembling the Zhengyang Gate at Qianmen of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The new shiny staircase wooden handrails are bright red and gold while on the first floor a small exhibition showcases old Beijing. A bronze statue next to stairs represents a historical moment when the teahouse's late founder Yin Zhixi hosted former US president George Bush Sr.

The shopping area on the 2nd floor has been expanded. There are different teas, tea cups, pots, and related products. Besides that there are Beijing style souvenirs, kites, clay figurines with bottom affixed with bristles, ironware palace lanterns, and Peking Opera dolls made of silk.

Pin Zhen Lou (品珍楼), the restaurant on the 3rd floor, used to serve a la carte in a public dining area. Now it is a high-end dining restaurant with beautiful, dazzling traditional Chinese decorations. Each of the five private rooms also offer tea ceremonies.