Enjoy a holiday in harmony in the spa hotel´s Chinese tower and tea house
Find yourself in a faraway land
A unique atmosphere will surround you in the Chinese tower. Here, you can enjoy Chinese teas in peaceful harmony on the Turracher Höhe, looking out over Lake Turracher See. Find out about tea culture during the Chinese tea ceremony. While yoga, Qi Gong and Tai Chi give an insight into Far East philosophies.
A Chinese tower in the Alps?
At first, the idea sounded crazy. Nowadays, the Chinese tower is like the hallmark of the Hochschober spa hotel in Austria.
In 1998, Barbara and Peter Leeb travelled to China. Upon visiting the Huixiting Tea House in Shanghai, they gained an insight into the significance of tea houses and Chinese tea culture. Tea plays a central role in many celebrations and rituals. Guests in China will always be served tea as a sign of appreciation. This formed the idea to create, right on the Turracher Höhe, such a place of community and hospitality; a place where guests find harmony on their holiday, and can familiarise themselves with Chinese tea culture.
From tea to tower
Over the years the Leeb family has devoted themselves to learning about Chinese tea culture and also China’s architecture. Together, we went on research trips to China, consulted with experts such as the Austrian tea and China specialist Karl Schmeisser and his Chinese-Austrian cooperation partner Dr. Jian Wang. In China we met Zihuai Sun, professional tour guide and fluent in German, who was immensely helpful to us in overcoming language and organisational barriers.
Chinese architecture and craftsmanship
We commissioned the construction of the four-storey tea house in characteristic pagoda style to Professor Zhang, the chief building preservation officer of the Chinese Henan province. Craftsmen from China designed the roof and the woodwork, and came to Austria to build it.
In April 2004 construction at our spa hotel started. The first step was to build the basic structure from solid silver fir wood. In 2004, the Hochschober heads of department went on a study trip to China. By the start of the 2005 summer season the tower and its underground access from the hotel, called Seidenstraße (Silk Road), were completed.
Tea and the lake
On the topmost floor, you will find the “Schöne Teehaus am Berg” tea house. During your holiday, you can spend time here in harmony looking out over Lake Turracher See drinking Chinese tea and reading your newspaper. Twice a week, the teahouse transforms into the “Drachenbar” bar. Under dimmed lighting and with lounge music playing we offer vintage wines, cocktails and after-dinner drinks.
Balance and motion
The floors below are home to health, creative and meditation rooms. Tai Chi, Qi Gong and yoga sessions take place here, as well as readings, writing and painting seminars. On top of that we offer traditional Chinese massages at the Chinese tower.
Chinese tea ceremony
In the Chinese tower, our specially trained staff conduct the Chinese tea ceremony, called Gong Fu Cha. This ceremony of calm, of watching and tasting, takes place between once and twice a week.
