The Living Room of Chengdu: Heming Tea House and the Art of Slow Life

The "Living Fossil" of Chengdu Tea Culture

1.Located within the lush embrace of: People's Park (Renmin Park) in the Qingyang District of Chengdu, Heming Tea House (Heming Chashe) stands as the quintessential symbol of the city's relaxed lifestyle. Established in 1923 (with origins tracing back to the Qing Dynasty around 1910), it is one of the oldest and most well-preserved tea houses in Chengdu, often hailed as a "living fossil" of Sichuan tea culture. While modern coffee shops and high-rises spring up around the city, Heming Tea House retains the authentic flavor of "Old Chengdu." It sits by a serene lake, surrounded by green trees and historical architecture, offering a sanctuary where time seems to slow down. It is widely considered the "World's First Teahouse" in terms of cultural significance and atmosphere, representing the very soul of the city's "Slow Life" philosophy,,.

Bamboo Chairs, Gaiwan Tea, and "Longmenzhen"

2.The atmosphere at: Heming is defined by its traditional setting: thousands of bamboo chairs and small wooden tables are arranged under the shade of century-old trees and tiled pavilions. Here, the ritual of drinking tea is taken seriously yet leisurely. Visitors are served using the traditional "Three Treasures" (San Jian Tao) tea set, consisting of a tea bowl, a lid, and a saucer. The most popular choice is the fragrant Jasmine Tea from the Mengding Mountain or Emei Mountain regions, which is refilled indefinitely by skilled tea servers using long-spouted copper kettles,. The primary activity here is "Longmenzhen"—the Sichuan dialect for chatting. Locals, from elderly retirees to young people escaping the office, gather here to gossip, discuss business, or simply stare blankly (Fa Dai) at the lake. As the saying goes, "Chengdu is a city where half the residents are tea drinkers," and Heming is the epicenter of this communal habit,. The tea house is a place where social hierarchies dissolve over a cup of tea, and the clamor of conversation mixes with the chirping of birds and the rustling of bamboo leaves.

The Art of Ear Cleaning and Folk Customs

A visit to Heming Tea House is not complete without experiencing the unique local service of Ear Cleaning (Tao Er Duo). It is considered one of the "Three Great Joys" of life in Chengdu. Skilled craftsmen with headlamps and an array of specialized metal tools wander among the tea tables, offering to clean and massage customers' ears. The sensation is described as "cleansing the ears to calm the heart," a practice that perfectly complements the relaxation of tea drinking,. Beyond ear cleaning, the tea house is a hub for various folk activities. You might see locals playing cards or Mahjong, artists sketching portraits, or vendors selling local snacks like "Ding Ding Candy." The tea house also features a stage for traditional Sichuan Opera performances, where visitors can witness the magical "Face Changing" and fire-breathing techniques while sipping their tea. This integration of performance and daily life makes Heming a vibrant theater of Sichuanese culture,.

A Witness to History and the Matchmaking Corner

3.Heming Tea: House has witnessed a century of history, from the gathering of literati and scholars in the Republic of China era to its current status as a public leisure space. Historically, it was a place for teachers and public servants to socialize during holidays. Today, it sits adjacent to the famous "Matchmaking Corner" (Xiang Qin Jiao) in People's Park. Here, parents display information sheets about their single children on umbrellas and trees, hoping to find them a suitable spouse. This lively, sometimes anxious, scene provides a stark but fascinating contrast to the laid-back vibe of the tea drinkers nearby, showcasing the multi-layered social fabric of modern Chengdu,.