Chinese Tea Ceremony in London
Authentic guided tea ceremony in Greenwich - by the River Thames at Amitabha Garden
If you’re searching for a tea ceremony in London, this is a traditional Chinese tea ceremony (gongfu style) in Greenwich - calm, guided, and genuinely educational. In 90 minutes, you’ll taste 3 premium Chinese teas, learn how to taste properly (aroma, texture, aftertaste), and leave with brewing cues you can actually repeat at home. Two traditional pastries per guest are included.
- Private session for 2+. For 4+ guests, contact us for a quote. -
At a glance
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Duration: 90 minutes
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Includes: 3 premium teas + 2 traditional pastries (per guest)
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Private sessions: 2+ people
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Price: from £80 per session (2 participants)
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Group bookings: 4+ people - contact us directly for a quote
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Location: 10 Wood Wharf, London SE10 9FL (Greenwich)
Tea ceremony London - Chinese gongfu vs Japanese matcha
“Tea ceremony” in London can mean a few different things. Japanese tea ceremony is usually matcha-based and highly formalised. A Chinese tea ceremony (gongfu tea) is centred on multiple short infusions of the same leaves, so flavour unfolds gradually - sweetness, florals, roasted notes, and aftertaste can change from round to round.
If you want a tea ceremony in London that’s hands-on, flavour-led, and easy to replicate at home, this Chinese gongfu ceremony is the best fit.
What happens in this Chinese Tea Ceremony
1) A guided tasting journey (3 teas, chosen for contrast)
You’ll taste three premium Chinese teas chosen to show clear differences in style and character - so you learn how to tell teas apart, not just “what it tastes like today”.
2) Gongfu brewing - made practical
Gongfu brewing uses small teaware and repeated short infusions. You’ll learn the simple cues that actually matter: leaf-to-water ratio, temperature, timing, and how to adjust if your tea tastes too bitter, too light, or too flat.
3) Traditional pastry pairing
Gongfu brewing uses small teaware and repeated short infusions. You’ll learn the simple cues that actually matter: leaf-to-water ratio, temperature, timing, and how to adjust if your tea tastes too bitter, too light, or too flat.
Why this is more than a "tea tasting"
A lot of tastings give you one steep and a few notes. A traditional Chinese tea ceremony teaches a method: how the leaves open up across infusions, why flavour changes, and how to brew with intention.
Tea is widely believed to have originated in China and evolved over centuries into a refined cultural practice. By the time of the Tang dynasty, tea culture had become a serious art, later captured in The Classic of Tea (Cha Jing) by Lu Yu - a foundational text on growing, preparing, and appreciating tea.
Who this tea ceremony is for
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Beginners who want a proper introduction (no tea knowledge needed)
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Couples, friends, and small groups looking for a calm cultural experience
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Tea drinkers who want to understand Chinese tea beyond “green vs black”
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Visitors exploring Greenwich and looking for something memorable (and not touristy)
Where it takes place
Amitabha Garden is at 10 Wood Wharf, London SE10 9FL, in Greenwich by the Thames.
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. ★★★★★
FAQ - Chinese Tea Ceremony London
Is this a tea tasting or a tea ceremony?
It’s a traditional Chinese tea ceremony using gongfu brewing (multiple short infusions), designed to teach tasting + brewing cues you can replicate.
How long is the session?
90 minutes (1.5 hours).
What’s included?
3 premium Chinese teas + 2 traditional pastries per guest.
Is it private?
Yes - private sessions for 2+. For 4+ guests, contact us directly for a quote.
Do I need any tea knowledge?
No. Beginners are welcome - everything is guided.
Where is it in London?
Greenwich (SE10), by the Thames - 10 Wood Wharf, London SE10 9FL.