A truly exhilarating taste of tea and unity

Editor's note: An array of Chinese cities have maintained their cultural memories in the form of historical neighborhoods that have only added to their multilayered charm and vigor with the passage of time. China Daily is taking readers on a journey to some of these timeless areas, where President Xi Jinping has left his footsteps and remarked on the preservation and vitalization of heritage. In this installment, we follow local people's pious steps along Barkhor Bazaar, which encircles the sacred Jokhang Temple, where a traditional Tibetan lifestyle flourishes alongside a modern vibe.

Drop in on the Woser Gamchung Tea House on the first floor of a four-story compound building on popular Barkhor Bazaar in the old town of Lhasa in the Xizang autonomous region at around 2 pm, and you may be surprised to find that the time-honored spot, known for its Tibetan sweet tea, is still bustling with customers.

Some are tourists, curious to have a cup or two of sweet tea, while the rest are local residents addicted to this traditional brew, and who stay for hours, chatting, and ordering one cup after another to accompany plates of local delicacies.