By Yuling Chen, Mikkel Larsen, Yiling Wang, iChongqing

Tea is more than just a beverage. It is a symbol of Chinese culture dating back to five thousand years. It is like a thread, connecting people, friends, family, and strangers alike. China is renowned for its production of tea and skills and ceremony surrounding tea-making and serving, and this time, iChongqing journalists and guests--Steven and Paul are at the Jiaotong Teahouse in Chongqing to experience it firsthand.

In this episode of Chongqing Travel Guide, you will find some tricks to show. For example, put something on the teapot to cover it means that I will be back, so please do not clear away my tea.

When drinking in traditional tea houses, customers need to pay first. Therefore, if they want to leave for a while, they can put something, such as a match, a stone or a leaf, on the cover.

The Jiaotong Teahouse is popular in Chongqing during its operation over the past three decades. Jiaotong in Chinese means transport. And the tea house used to be a canteen and bathhouse of a transport company. It was established in 1987 as a tea house.

Many customers stay here for the whole day. Some are tourists and others are locals or even neighbors around the tea house. People coming here always get involved in typical tea house entertainments: savoring tea with refreshments like melon seeds and peanuts, chatting with others, playing cards or chess, or sharing precious moments.

Address: No. 20 Huangjueping Zheng Street, Jiulongpo District, Chongqing

Price: 8 RMB per cup of tea