Chinese House, Potsdam

The Chinese House, also known in Germany as the Chinese Teahouse, is a garden pavilion in Sanssouci Park. Like much of the park, the Chinese House was built in 1764 at the behest of Frederick the Great. The building functioned as the setting for small social events but was primarily a decorative outbuilding that added a point of interest to the garden.

The Chinese House was designed by architect Johann Gottfriend Buring in Chinoiserie style. This trendy architectural technique combined ornamental Rococo with Chinese influences. The house was modeled from a similar Chinese house on the grounds of the Maison du Trefle in Luneville, France designed by Emmanuel Here de Corny.

The house has a trefoil shape with a rounded central building, rounded windows and gilded columns. Golden sculptures at the feet of the columns were crafted by sculptors Johann Gottlieb Heymuller and Johann Peter Benckert. The cupola atop the roof features a Chinese statue created by Friedrich Jury.

The Chinese House is open from May to October. Visitors may enter the house on Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 AM through 5:30 PM.