Traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony
(in London)
Authentic Chinese tea ceremony in Greenwich - guided by the Thames at Amitabha Garden
Tea is widely believed to have originated in China, and over centuries it developed from a medicinal drink into a refined cultural practice. By the Tang dynasty, tea had become part of daily life for scholars and monks, and the 8th-century Cha Jing (The Classic of Tea) by Lu Yu set out core principles of tea growing, preparation, and appreciation.
A traditional Chinese tea ceremony (often practised through Gongfu tea) isn’t a performance - it’s a method: small teaware, careful water, and multiple short infusions so the same leaves can gradually unfold different layers of flavour.
In this 90-minute session in Greenwich, London, you’ll be guided through 3 premium Chinese teas and learn how to taste (aroma, texture, aftertaste) in a way you can actually replicate at home. 2 traditional pastries are included, paired to complement the teas.
At a glance
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Duration: 1.5 hours
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Includes: 3 premium Chinese teas + 2 traditional pastries
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Price: from £80 per session (2 participants)
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Availability: Appointment-based
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Minimum: 2 participants (if ≥ 4 people, please get in touch with us directly for a quote)
Why this isn't "just a tea tasting"
Most tastings give you one steep and a few notes. Gongfu tea is designed to teach your palate: the same leaves are brewed again and again, and each infusion shifts - sweetness appears, bitterness softens, florals rise, roasted notes deepen. You’ll learn what actually causes those changes (leaf shape, water temperature, timing, and ratio), so you leave knowing what “quality tea” tastes like - and how to get it.
What you'll experience
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A guided tea journey (3 teas, chosen for contrast): Taste three premium Chinese teas selected to highlight different styles and regions - so you can compare aroma, mouthfeel, and aftertaste side by side (not just “light vs strong”).
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Gongfu brewing, made practical: Learn the key steps used in traditional Chinese tea preparation — warming teaware, short infusions, pouring, and tasting - with simple cues on what to notice each round.
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Pairing with traditional pastries: Two seasonal traditional pastries per guest, chosen to complement the teas (so the pairing supports the flavour rather than drowning it).
Meet Yang and Yiqing, your session hosts
With over 30 years of experience in Chinese tea, Yang and Yiqing bring both depth of knowledge and lived connection to every ceremony. This husband-and-wife team also owns a tea farm in Yunnan, China, where the relationship between land, seasonality, and flavour is understood firsthand.
Yang and Yiqing’s passion began growing up in China, and later - after settling in the UK - they started hosting tea ceremonies to share the artistry, etiquette, and quiet philosophy behind traditional Chinese tea culture. Guiding guests through each step and tasting is not only a teaching practice, but also a personal one: a way to stay close to their roots, and to keep that cultural thread alive through something as simple (and profound) as a cup of tea.
Customers say...
“The hostess guided us through the history and relevance of tea within society and the benefits to our health. It was a peaceful and calming experience, well worth it.” - Jess W ★★★★★
“The tea ceremony was 90 minutes, with three different types of tea (our choice what to try) with a great deal of knowledge shared from the owner to us - it was peaceful, insightful and joyful too. Highly recommend, having a curious mind is probably best!” - Lara C. ★★★★★