Dad’s Tea: A Whiff of Tea Fragrance in Hainan’s Everyday Life

What image comes to mind when you think of Hainan?

Is it streets lined with swaying coconut palms, the salty sea breeze, or the morning smoke rising from alleyways? Among the myriad taste memories of Hainan, “Dad’s Tea” holds a uniquely special place. It’s unassuming yet deeply ingrained in daily life; far from fancy, it carries the rhythm of authentic living. A pot of tea, a few snacks, sipping slowly, chatting leisurely—this is the lifestyle Hainan locals know best.

What is “Dad’s Tea”?

“Dad’s Tea” doesn’t refer to a specific type of tea. It’s more like a way of life—a habit among local Hainan residents, especially the elderly, to drink tea, chat, and pass the time on street corners or in teahouses. There’s no time limit, and topics flow freely. From dawn till dusk, there’s no rush and no rules. A pot of tea, a plate of peanuts, or a few snacks are enough to keep them seated for half a day. Over time, this integrated practice of tea drinking, socializing, and relaxation became collectively known as “Lao Ba Cha.” As one of Hainan’s most representative folk leisure customs, “Lao Ba Cha” has been included in the province’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List for distinctive tea culture, becoming an integral part of the aesthetic of everyday life for Hainan’s common people. When Lao Ba Cha meets intangible heritage, the fragrance of tea becomes even more enduring and profound.

The “Everyday Fashion” Brought Back by Hainanese Overseas Chinese a Century Ago

The emergence of Dad’s Tea is inextricably linked to Hainan’s unique background as a homeland for overseas Chinese. According to the Hainan Island Folklore Chronicle, during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican era, overseas Chinese traveling to and from Southeast Asia brought back the local customs of drinking coffee and black tea, gradually giving rise to a tea house culture that blended Chinese and Western culinary elements. Early teahouses served both “Western teas” like black tea, coffee, and milk, alongside Chinese pastries such as large buns, small buns, and sponge cakes. This eclectic culinary blend gave Old Dad Tea a distinct Southeast Asian tea-and-coffee cultural influence. Over time, these teahouses spread from Haikou to every corner of Hainan, becoming the most commonplace and enduring fixture in both cities and towns. “Three daily servings of Laobaicha” has become a cyclical ritual, deeply ingrained in the rhythm of Hainanese life.

From Lifestyle to Urban Flavor

With improved facilities and an ever-expanding selection of snacks, Dad’s Tea is no longer just for the older generation. Increasingly, tourists list Dad’s Tea as a must-experience part of Hainan life. Order a cup of black tea—its slightly astringent brew sweetened to perfection with a spoonful of sugar—paired with a pineapple bun or steamed dim sum, and you can quietly while away an entire afternoon. Sweet, savory, steamed, fried, pan-fried, boiled—steamer baskets stack high in the teahouse, while snack stalls billow with steam. The aroma of dim sum drifts gently through the air. Amidst laughter and conversation, both taste buds and spirits are satisfied. It’s a meal enjoyed with comfort and a stay savored with ease.

A pot of tea is a moment in Hainan time.

A table, a teapot, a few pastries. Gather with friends to chat about everything under the sun, letting time slip away unnoticed. To truly experience Hainan’s pace of life, start with a session of Dad’s Tea. Amidst the aroma of tea and the warmth of everyday life, discover the island’s most ordinary yet captivating side.

Appendix: Recommended Dad Tea Restaurants in Sanya (for reference)

Afang Dad Tea
📍 Opposite North Gate of Second Agricultural Market, Jiefang Road, Tianya District

Gaodengfu Tea House · Traditional Dad Tea
📍 2nd Floor, No. 32–38 Xinfeng Street, Tianya District

Weiqiong · Traditional Dad Tea
📍 No. 216 Hedong Road, Tianya District