The waiter brings sweet tea for the customers in Guangming Kamqung Sweet Tea house. [Photo/Xinhua]

On my interview trip in Tibet, Rgyatso drove us all the way, who is Tibetan and in his 30s. During the 40-days' time with him, I saw the real and ordinary life of Tibetans.

Tibetan people love tea. Once after a daytime interview, Rgyatso took me to the well-known Guangming Teahouse in Lhasa. We were sitting in the corner of the bustling teahouse with hundreds of people drinking tea while chatting or playing dice.

"I will stay here for a whole day during the travel off-season," said by Rgyatso, "Although here is simply decorated, poor and rich people love to come here."

Teahouse has a long history in Lhasa, and is one indispensable part of people's life. According to Rgyatso, drinking tea in old times used to be only limited to noble classes, however, with time changing, men and even women in all works of lives come to drink tea.

"The teahouse has become a place for residents to change information, and the news spread in teahouse is much quicker than media."

Tea in Tibetans' Life

To Tibetans, tea is a drink just like coffee to the Westerners-a drink to wake up and start the day.

Sweet tea houses can be seen everywhere in Lhasa-no matter when taking a ritual walk around the magnificent Potala Palace or going shopping in the Barkor Street. When the night falls, the sweet tea houses are warming up with the arrival of locals and tourists in pairs or groups.

Sweet tea, means "Qiabadi" in Tibetan, is made of black tea, milk and white sugar, serving as refreshment

When Tibetans have no other place to go, the sweet tea house is a good choice to kill time as it also offers Tibetan staple food including zhaba and other Indian and Nepalese style food.

Usually, the sweet tea house in Lhasa opens at 7:00 am, and closes up at midnight when business is good.

A waiter snatches a little leisure from the busy life in Guangming Kamqung Sweet Tea house on the Tengyeling Road of Lhasa.[Photo/Xinhua]

Jigme, two-year-old Tibetan girl drinks delicious sweet tea in Guangming Kamqung Sweet Tea house. [Photo/Xinhua]