What is the etiquette at a Chengdu teahouse?

Find a seat, and a server will come to you or you order at the counter. Choose a tea, usually jasmine or a local green tea. You pay upfront or when you leave. The tea leaves stay in the bowl or glass, and hot water refills are included or inexpensive. If nobody comes, catch a server's eye or go to the counter; service is relaxed rather than neglectful.

A basic tea costs around CNY 20–40 at a famous teahouse and less at a neighborhood spot. Snacks are extra. Tipping is not expected. Cash and mobile payment are both common, but smaller teahouses may prefer mobile. The tea is usually brewed in a lidded bowl or a tall glass, and the server tops up the water whenever it runs low.

• Order tea; refills usually included
• Pay upfront or on leaving
• No tipping expected

It is fine to sit for two or three hours. It is also fine to share a table if the teahouse is busy. Locals often play cards, mahjong, or simply nap; nobody will hurry you out. Keep your voice at a conversational level; the room may be loud, but it is not a bar. Do not put your feet on chairs or tables.

Ask before taking close-up photos of people, especially older locals playing mahjong or cards. A wide shot of the room is usually fine. If someone waves you away, respect it and move on. Do not reserve seats with belongings for hours if the room is full, and do not move furniture between tables.

Some teahouses offer ear cleaning, snacks, or simple meals. Agree on the price before accepting ear cleaning, and ask for it in writing or on a phone screen. Heming Teahouse in People's Park is the classic first stop, but it is touristy and busy. Neighborhood teahouses in Yulin or Wangjiang are calmer. If you want a quieter classic, go to People's Park in the morning rather than midafternoon.

Do not treat the teahouse as a quick photo stop. Order a tea, stay for at least an hour, and watch the room. It is one of the cheapest and most authentic Chengdu experiences. Bring a little cash for snacks, and do not expect English menus at the smaller places.

• Agree on ear-cleaning price first
• Heming is famous but busy
• Stay at least an hour

Many teahouses sell simple snacks: peanuts, sunflower seeds, fruit plates, and sometimes noodles or dumplings. Order at the counter or wave a server over, and pay when the food arrives. Prices are modest, but check the menu rather than accepting a verbal quote for a set.

The room can be loud with conversation, mahjong tiles, and the clink of covered bowls. That is the atmosphere, not a problem to solve. If you want quiet, choose a courtyard seat or a smaller neighborhood teahouse; if you want the full scene, sit in the main hall and stay for two hours.

• Snacks are extra; check the menu
• Courtyard seats are quieter
• Two hours is normal