Bali is becoming a bit of an attention-seeker — loud and urgent — until you step into Rusters Xiu Teahouse. Here, silence isn’t awkward or forced, it’s a gentle invitation. No gimmicks, no filters — just tea, time, and the delicate hum of presence. Walking in, your voice naturally melts into a mellow whisper. A book reader in the corner, a girl scribbling in her journal, and the tea master gliding between the low tables are all in unspoken agreement to respect this temple of quiet. 

Xiu Tea House is a continuation of what Faye, the tea master, has done for years with friends in the privacy of her home. “We just made music and drank tea, letting time slow down.” She now serves tea at Xiu in exactly the same way she did at home, with the same unhurried rhythm and ease, inviting everyone to share in the gentle polite magic of tea.

She’s not interested in impressing you with fancy ceremonies or pseudo-spiritual talk — the space, the tea, the atmosphere, and her 13 years training in the finest Beijing’s teahouses speak for themselves.  

“Curves, not straight lines,” Faye says. 

Her quiet Eastern wisdom shines unmistakably. In her world, what is truly valuable must be found, not rushed. Even getting to Xiu feels like a little discovery, meandering toward a secluded small house floating on a pond, tucked behind young shy bamboo. The initiated will understand all the profound Xiu subtleties, while others will simply be touched by the calm and safety they feel.

And the tea? The tea is the real deal —authentic highest-quality Chinese leaves, carefully sourced and masterfully brewed. From the delicate, almost ethereal notes of white tea to the bold, punchy flavors of aged pu-erh, Xiu offers over 35 carefully curated teas from China, providing the most comprehensive and thoughtfully selected range.

Xiu offers something beyond words — a serene, humble zen hideaway when Bali peacocks feel just a little too much.