China's Hottest Tea Shop: Business So Good the Boss Lets Staff Leave Early!

A new year, a new journey—time to explore the majestic landscapes of our homeland.

Some pack their bags for an ancient town;

Others plan detailed itineraries for a grand palace;

Some embark on spontaneous trips for a city of ice and snow;

But you’d hardly expect someone to travel thousands of miles just for a supermarket.

Early in the morning, “Pang Donglai, install a traffic light!” trended online. Unsurprisingly, Pang Donglai was again swarmed by out-of-town visitors during the holiday. Thanks to it, the “overflowing fortune” has landed on Xuchang, a low-key city in Henan. Statistics show that during the three-day New Year holiday, Xuchang welcomed 1.96 million visitors, with nearly 1 million visiting the “6A-level attraction Pang Donglai.”

Netizens are no longer surprised by Pang Donglai’s frequent热搜 appearances. Not long ago, the topic “Pang Donglai announces employees will leave 3 hours early due to booming tea sales” sparked heated discussions online, leaving countless workers envious and drawing attention from tea enthusiasts.

What makes Pang Donglai’s tea market so special? Why is it so popular? Let’s take a closer look.

Pang Donglai: Employees leave 3 hours early.

Hard to believe, but a 100-square-meter tea supermarket at Pang Donglai can rake in 200,000 yuan in daily sales. Skeptics might search “Pang Donglai tea” online—only to find endless praise and even requests for代购. Scouring the web reveals almost no negative reviews, with the rare “complaint” being: “Pang Donglai isn’t near my home—one star!”

Tea lovers might wonder: “Can’t tea be bought anywhere? Why travel all the way to Xuchang, even seeking代购? Is it really that good?” Devotees would say: “Yes, it is!”

First, it offers a comprehensive selection of authentic teas from across China:

Fujian’s Wuyi rock tea, Lapsang Souchong, Tieguanyin, and Fuding white tea; Zhejiang’s West Lake Longjing and Anji white tea; Jiangsu’s Biluochun; Yunnan’s Pu’er and Dianhong; Guangxi’s jasmine tea and Liubao tea; Guangdong’s aged tangerine peel, small green tangerine tea, and Fenghuang Dancong; Hunan’s Anhua dark tea; Taiwan’s Dongding oolong and Alishan oolong; Anhui’s Taiping Houkui and Lu’an Guapian… Tea connoisseurs can spot green, black, white, oolong, and floral teas at a glance.

West Lake Longjing, Dianhong golden snail, Wuyi rock tea, Biluochun…

Second, quality is guaranteed at fair prices. For over a decade, Pang Donglai’s诚信经营 has ingrained the belief that “Pang Donglai’s selection = top quality.” As buyers say: “Here, you never worry about fake or劣质 tea.”

All teas are clearly priced with high性价比: jasmine tea at 120 yuan/jin, ripe Pu’er布朗沱 at 108 yuan/条 (1000g), floral white peony at 130 yuan/cake (300g), pre-Qingming Xinyang毛尖 from 580 to 1,750 yuan/jin, and premium Lao Ban Zhang at 8,600 yuan/jin… Options for every budget. Plus, every purchase comes with impeccable service, ensuring a joyful and transparent experience.

How细致 is the service? Staff are tea experts. Even novices can learn about origins, brewing, storage, characteristics, and pesticide-free assurances—all patiently explained. At checkout, even塑料袋 tare is deducted, and amounts are rounded down (e.g., 504 yuan becomes 500).

Pang Donglai wins hearts through细节, spoiling customers so much that tea lovers nationwide flock here for their favorite teas. Many tea merchants even see it as a role model. With quality, affordability, and service like this, its火爆 is no surprise.

Can Pang Donglai set the “gold standard” for Chinese tea supermarkets? Time will tell.

As a benchmark of “China’s良心商超,” Xuchang’s Pang Donglai is already the “天花板” in public perception. How did it earn this reputation? Netizens say: “Sincerity is the ultimate weapon.” And this genuine sincerity stems from the朴实 and厚重 soil of Xuchang.

Because Xuchang is the Xuchang of Henan.

As is well known, Henan has occupied the Central Plains for thousands of years, making it the most "central" place in China. To the north, one can reach Yan and Jin; to the west, Qin and Long; to the south, Jing and Chu; and to the east, Qi and Lu. It is a hub connecting ten provinces and has long been known as the "heartland of the Nine Provinces and the crossroads of ten provinces." Xuchang, in turn, is located precisely at the "central point" of Henan, earning it the title of "the center of the center of the world." This uniquely advantageous position ensures that Xuchang is exceptionally "central."

Situated at the "center" of the world, Xuchang lies in the upper reaches of the Ying River system, with rivers like the Ying, Shiliang, and Qingyi flowing through it. It also boasts two major lakes, West Lake and Qiu Lake, making it a rare fertile land in the relatively arid heart of the Central Plains.

The inherently romantic people of Xuchang have taken advantage of the dense river network to plant lotus flowers throughout the city. In the height of summer, standing by the railings and gazing into the distance, one can see lush lotus leaves and shimmering green waters in the lakes and rivers—a breathtaking sight. Today, the city flower of Xuchang is the lotus, and the city itself is nicknamed "Lotus City." Over time, the lotus-loving people of Xuchang have cultivated a character as understated, pragmatic, straightforward, and transparent as the lotus itself.

As the saying goes, a remarkable place nurtures remarkable people. Eighteen hundred years ago, many "Yingchuan elites" who frequently appeared in historical records—such as Xun Yu, Xun You, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, and Zhong Yao—flourished on this land, leading the cultural elegance of the Wei and Jin dynasties. During the late Han period, Cao Cao recognized the treasure that was this land of abundance. He welcomed Emperor Xian of Han to Xuchang, recruited its strategists, and formed the elite "Cao Think Tank." For 25 years, he dominated Xuchang, stirred the tides of the Three Kingdoms, and established it as the political, economic, and cultural center of northern China at the time.

Xuchang has been a battleground through the ages and the foundation of Cao Wei's rise. For Three Kingdoms enthusiasts, Xuchang shines brightly in this period of history. Of the 120 chapters in *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, 52 take place in Xuchang. Moreover, of the over 300 Three Kingdoms cultural sites nationwide, more than 80 are in Xuchang. It is no exaggeration to call Xuchang the "Hometown of Three Kingdoms Culture in China"—no one would dispute it.

"Hearing tales of the Three Kingdoms, one always longs to visit Xuchang." Embark on a Citywalk in Xuchang: stroll through the ancient Cao Wei City, linger in its elegant corridors, majestic arcades, layered brackets, and uniquely shaped pavilions, and immerse yourself in the splendor of its imperial past. Or visit the Chunqiu Tower (Guan's Residence) to encounter Guan Yu and experience the local ethos of "loyalty and righteousness." Wander through the Baling Bridge Garden, where winding streams evoke legends of Guan Gong bidding farewell to Cao Cao...

Among Xuchang's historical "stars," the "Jun porcelain" of Shenhou is one of its most dazzling treasures. During the Northern Song Dynasty, local artisans in Xuchang mastered the art of using metal and clay to recreate the hues of sunset clouds, inventing the unparalleled treasure of Jun porcelain. Thanks to its production of Jun porcelain—"one color entering the kiln, myriad colors emerging"—Xuchang's Yuzhou is also known as the "Jun Capital." Today, this craft still thrives here as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Stepping into modern Xuchang, let’s start with its geography. Located at the transition zone between the Funiu Mountains and the eastern Henan plains, Xuchang is mostly flat and fertile, with only a few mountainous areas in the west. This unobstructed terrain also grants Xuchang exceptional transportation advantages. High-speed rail lines like the Beijing-Guangzhou, Zhengzhou-Chongqing, and Zhengzhou-Hefei form a "川"-shaped rail network here, while major highways such as the Beijing-Guangzhou Expressway, Yanluo Expressway, and Lannan Expressway pass through the area.

Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport is just about 50 kilometers from downtown Xuchang, and its remote terminal is even located next to Xuchang East Station. The recently opened Zheng-Xu Metro Line further simplifies travel to Xuchang.

This convenience is tangible. Reports indicate that the fastest high-speed train from Zhengzhou to Xuchang takes just 21 minutes, costing only 42 yuan. Alternatively, one can take the Zheng-Xu Metro for a roughly one-hour direct ride to Xuchang for just 12 yuan. For Zhengzhou residents, spontaneous trips to Xuchang have become routine.

The extensive transportation network not only facilitates travel but also brings more entrepreneurial opportunities to Xuchang. The inherently honest and diligent people of Xuchang excel in business. Beyond the city's pride, "Pang Donglai," other nationally renowned companies like XJ Group, Senyuan, Huanghe, Rebecca, and Jin Hui have emerged. Among China's top 500 private enterprises, four are from Xuchang—the highest number in Henan Province.

Among Xuchang's many points of pride, its title as the "Wig Capital" is well-deserved. Of the wigs commonly used in the global fashion industry, six out of ten come from Xuchang, setting trends worldwide. In recent years, Xuchang has also revolutionized the lab-grown diamond industry, turning "turning stone into gold" into reality. Single-handedly, they have reduced diamond prices by 90%, making the luxury of "a diamond is forever" accessible to ordinary households. Meanwhile, the "Yanling flowers and plants" blooming across the Central Plains bring fresh scenery from Xuchang to the entire nation...

You see, Xuchang's pride extends far beyond Pang Donglai.

Whenever one listens to the stories of Xuchang, what truly touches the heart is its humility, honesty, and kindness. The people of Xuchang prioritize sincerity, pouring all their warmth into welcoming visitors from all directions: no need to worry about short measures when shopping, providing tents for migrant melon farmers, offering free water to tourists, and volunteers serving passersby in every corner of the city... This empathetic kindness is deeply rooted in every Xuchang resident, making everyone who sets foot here feel the most genuine and generous warmth.

Of course, this solid warmth is also hidden in Xuchang's steaming bowls of delicious food.

How could one visit without tasting Xuchang's cuisine?

A trip to Xuchang is not just a cultural Citywalk but also a culinary one.

Xuchang lies at the heart of Henan—in other words, at the heart of China's "granary." With abundant harvests come abundant flavors, and in this Central Plains culinary paradise, good taste is never in short supply.

Randomly ask for food recommendations under a local Xuchang post, and you’ll receive a packed "must-eat list from locals": rolled pancakes with vegetables, flat noodle soup, fermented rice soup, grilled sausages, Daokou braised chicken, Yuzhou's "Thirteen Bowls," Zhangdi mutton soup, Wangluo pig trotters, Xiang County tofu wraps, lamb noodle soup, spicy soup, baked cakes with spiced jelly, Shundian mixed stew, Yinmei cola, Xiang County braised noodles, and Pang Donglai specialties (roast duck, mochi pastries, spicy pig trotters, spicy gluten sausages, mala xiangguo, etc.)...

Walking the streets of Xuchang, seeing signs for braised noodles, beef offal noodles, satay noodles, hele noodles, stewed noodles... one can't help but marvel: carbs are truly the soul of Xuchang's culinary scene!

A bowl of milky-white lamb broth, a handful of vibrant greens, a few strands of chewy wide noodles, some tender and fragrant chunks of mutton or beef, drizzled with a few spoonfuls of aromatic yet mild chili oil—stir it all together with chopsticks, then slurp away. In no time, the bowl is spotless, not a drop of soup left. With every bite of noodles and sip of broth, a deep sense of satisfaction arises. For the people of Xuchang, a daily bowl of steaming braised noodles is more than a habit—it’s a memory of home for wanderers and the coziest warmth in the coldest winters.

Those simple, hearty bowls of noodles embody the character of Xuchang’s people.

As the saying goes, "Haste makes waste," but Xuchang locals know just how delicious hot tofu can be when eaten fresh. In the old streets of Xuchang, the call of "dipped hot tofu" draws small crowds. Around a modest tofu stall, longtime residents gather, their eyes fixed on a bubbling pot of tofu. Watch as the vendor, with a long knife in one hand and a ladle in the other, deftly cuts the tofu into irregular chunks and serves them in bowls.

The tofu, made with traditional brine, retains the natural fragrance of soybeans. Freshly steamed, it’s neither too firm nor too soft. Drizzled with a secret Qin pepper sauce, and optionally topped with sesame paste, chili oil, or leek flower, it’s best eaten piping hot. A single bowl can warm you from head to toe, even on subzero winter days.

That bowl of hot tofu, much like the people of Xuchang, is unpretentious, sincere, and heartwarming. When welcoming this "overwhelming fortune," Xuchang’s residents spare no effort in offering guests their utmost hospitality and care.

Only by stepping into Xuchang and truly getting to know it can one understand its greatness—backed by vast fertile lands, enriched by millennia of history, and inspired by generations of loyal and righteous figures... Xuchang, a city that promises prosperity and sincerity. Come, and you’ll experience firsthand all the beauty this land has to offer.