From grand avenue mansions to tiny holes-in-the-wall, Guangzhou teahouses are where you want to go to get that old China feel without that new China smell. Unlike other cities, most Guangzhou teahouses offer full meals in addition to the usual tea and crumpets, all served up in a traditional Chinese atmosphere. So if you're looking for a new (but very, very old) way to waste an entire afternoon, grab your friends, take a load off, and read on as we list off some of the best places to get your tea on in Guangzhou.

1) Shuimu Lianqing Lingnan Teahouse (Tianhe Nan'er Lu location)View In Map
The Shuimu Lianqing Lingnan Teahouse (水沐莲清岭南茶艺馆) offers separate sets of opening hours throughout the day, but the one from 14:30-17:30 is definitely the most popular with leisure-minded locals. It's during this period that staff members are available to teach you the delicate art of tea. Brewing, pouring, sipping; trained experts are waiting to show you how it's done. The Shanlin Xi (台湾杉林溪茶) (188 RMB), Anji White (安吉白茶) (328 RMB), and 16-Year Roseroot Pu'er (16年远年红景天普洱茶) (268 RMB) all come highly recommended. Snack while you sip with an array of classic dim sums including shrimp dumplings, durian pastries, and egg tarts.

Where: No. 1 Building, 27-29 Liu Yun Liu Jie (near Tianhe Dong Lu), Tianhe Nan Er Lu, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
广州市天河区天河南二路六运六街27-29号1楼(近天河东路)
Telephone: 4000 997 662; 020 8754 0198; 180 2744 5075
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:00-22:00, Sat-Sun 9:00-22:00
Website: www.shuimulianqing.cn
Getting there: take bus No. 138, 197, 218, 230, 266, 283, 302, 504, 506a, 506, 547, 801, 811 to Tianhe Nan (天河南站)

2) Liuhua Teahouse View In Map
Liuhua Teahouse (流花茶艺城品茶部) is the largest in Guangzhou, situated next to Liuhua Lake and decorated inside and out with traditional Chinese flair with evening guzheng performances to really put the musical icing on the atmosphere cake. Dianping.com recommends the Xinyang Maojian (信阳毛尖) (108 RMB) or Pu'er (普洱) tea (118 RMB). Liuhua also offers a variety of delicate tea treats, but nothing super filling so skip this one if your stomach's a'rumblin'.

Where: Liuhua Lake Park (near the China Hotel), 1 Liuhua Lu, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou
广州市越秀区流花路1号流花湖公园流花茶艺城内(近中国大酒店)
Telephone: 020 8138 3295
Opening hours: 12:00-2:00
Getting there: take bus No. 29, 31, 38, 181, 186, 251, 518, 823 to Liuhua Park (流花公园站)

3) Tongqing Tang View In Map
A secluded paradise in the midst of an urban jungle, Tongqing Tang (同情堂) is an antique lover's dream. The high price tag (expect to drop several hundred RMB for a pot of tea) keeps out the riff-raff, making it ideal for small, intimate gatherings, with a VIP room for super high-rollers. Food here is also more expensive than your average restaurant, but word is the taste matches the price. Recommended: Pu'er (普洱) or Iron Goddess of Mercy (铁观音) tea.

Where: Inside Lanpu Park (near the front gate of Yuexiu Park), 901 Jiefang Bei Lu, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou
广州市越秀区解放北路901号兰圃公园内(近越秀公园正门)
Telephone: 020 8666 4511
Opening hours: 10:00-24:00 (tea), 11:00-24:00 (food)
Getting there: take subway line 2 or bus No. 7, 42, 113, 186, 211, 244a, 244, 256, 265, 284, 519, 528 to Yuexiu Park (越秀公园站)

4) Ziyuanxuan Teahouse View In Map
Situated inside Yunxi Ecological Park, Ziyuanxuan Teahouse (紫缘轩茶艺馆) is perfect for a mid-workday breath of fresh air. All outdoor tables are covered by a shady tree canopy, making the attached restaurant an excellent place for tea and a meal even under a blazing sun. Recommended are the Longjing (龙井茶) and Dayi Qizibing (大益七子饼茶) teas. Look for the giant teapot outside the restaurant; you can't miss it.

Where: Inside Yunxi Ecological Park (near Baiyun Conference Center), 1038 Baiyun Da Dao Nan, Baiyun District, Guangzhou
广州市白云区白云大道南1038号云溪生态公园内(近白云会议中心)
Telephone: 020 8618 7988
Opening hours: 10:00-23:00 (tea), 10:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00 (food)
Getting there: take bus No. 36, 66, 76a, 127, 223, 245, 265, 529, 805, 864路, 大学城1线 to Guangzhou Gymnasium (广州体育馆站)

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