As autumn settles in, nothing quite matches the ritual of enjoying your first cup of milk tea. For some, it's a way to embrace the changing seasons; for others, a gesture of care for friends. With the coolness of autumn in the air, have you treated yourself to that first cup yet?

Part 1: Café by The Forbidden City

Located right beside Shenwumen (Gate of Divine Prowess) of the Forbidden City, this café allows visitors to sip on delightful brews without stepping into the palace. The "Imperial Collection" series is especially popular, featuring unique drinks like "Emperor Kangxi's Beloved Chocolate" and "Buddha's Hand Tea." And don't miss the poetic "Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains" cake—it's a bestseller!

Signature Drink: 

Buddha's Hand Citrus Tea

A historical gem, this tea blends premium Chinese black tea with the fragrant essence of Buddha's hand citrus, an ingredient from San-Qing tea (tea of three delicacies) by Emperor Qianlong, and a hint of lemon peel. The citrus aroma is rich and rounded, which delivers a refreshing and uplifting taste.

Part 2: Jingshan Cultural & Creative Café

Nestled in Jingshan Park, this trendy café is a breath of fresh air, combining stunning peonies with elements of Beijing culture.

Signature Drink: 

Sparkling Water Series

Quench your thirst with beautifully crafted sparkling waters—perfect for a stroll in the park and guaranteed to turn heads!

Part 3: Tiantan 1420

Located at the eastern gate of the Temple of Heaven Park, Tiantan 1420 features a design that reflects Beijing's signature color scheme, focusing on traditional Chinese red with modern silver accents. The menu includes highlights like "Imperial Tea" and "Fortune Tea."

Signature Drink: 

Matcha Jade Milk Tea

Enjoy the matcha flavor with high-quality tea locked in fresh milk, which perfectly balances rich milk and the bittersweet notes of tea.

Part 4: Lungyen Teahouse

Dedicated to traditional tea-making techniques, Lungyen Teahouse has been affectionately dubbed as "Local Milk Tea Star" by fans!

Signature Drinks:

Fermented Rice Milk Oolong Tea

A delightful blend of osmanthus and fermented sweet rice, this tea pairs perfectly with fragrant oolong for a refreshing and sweet taste.

Valley Apricot Fruit Tea

Inspired by the popular northern apricot peel water, this tea combines a thick, sweet-sour apricot base with tea, enhancing the flavor with a complex tea aroma.

Part 5: Tea of Seasons

Originating from Beijing, Tea of Seasons is a remarkable brand under the century-old Changchun Tang, specializing in Eastern wellness teas. Their unique series, the "24 Seasonal Teas," is the first of its kind, inspired by the rhythms of the seasons.

Signature Drinks:

Savory Black Bean and Sesame Tea

A delightful mix of grains and fragrant sesame, enhanced with a hint of "old salt", creates a sweet and savory symphony of flavors.

Silky Almond Tofu with Osmanthus Tea

Experience the magic of drinkable almond tofu! This smooth, pudding-like creation blends beautifully with premium osmanthus oolong tea, offering a delightful twist on traditional milk tea.

Part 6: Teasure

Founded in 2015, Teasure is dedicated to preserving and developing China's traditional tea culture, always striving to capture the essence of the tea.

Signature Drinks:

Sweet Osmanthus and Plum Delight

Enjoy the fragrant osmanthus oolong paired with chewy, sweet-sour plum jelly and a whole plum. It's like savoring a delicate plum osmanthus brew, which leaves a lingering fragrance with every sip!

Rich Dianhong with Barley Milk Tea

Extracted under high temperature and pressure, this concentrated Dianhong (Yunnan black tea) combines with thick, creamy milk and a base of barley, topped with a decadent sea salt cheese foam, finishing with a hint of grainy sweetness.

Part 7: Cha Tai Liang Pin

All about mixing traditional Beijing flavors with modern milk tea, Cha Tai Liang Pin boasts a perfect spot in Yuanmingyuan for tea-lovers to enjoy drinks as well as rich cultural history.

Signature Drink:

Ultimate Black Diamond Roasted Milk Tea

This premium charcoal-roasted oolong tea brings a smoky aroma to your drink. The sparkling black bubbles offer a delightful chewiness, while the roasted milk tea jelly, frozen in oolong tea, pairs with zero-calorie xylitol syrup, giving this beverage a touch of magic.

Images from CapitaMall Wangjing, Tea of Seasons, Teasure, Cha Tai Liang Pin, Tiantan 1420, Café by The Forbidden City, Jingshan Park

Translator: DING Zhizhong

Reviewer: BAI Jing