Tian Coffee

A coffee shop I saved before, but when I came, it had moved. The new space is even more beautiful. Introverted, clean, casual. Amid the bustling Xizhou Ancient Town, it brings a slice of tranquility. Sit down and drink slowly." -by Swiss Roll --------------------------------- Over a decade ago, the owner of Tian Coffee, Tao Xing, began seriously learning about coffee. I remember when a man named Wang Bo came to Dali town and opened a café called "Relative Collection." It was also the first time many people saw a café roasting its own beans with professional equipment. Later, Wang Bo taught many students—some weren't exactly students, but they had a deep connection with him in the process of learning coffee. Among them was probably Tao Xing. Others include Little Bear and Yangzi's Door Coffee, Mao San Coffee, Xiao Hua's Xiangmu Coffee, Zhuang Zhuang's Qiushan Coffee, and Zhang Yin's Harvest Coffee. There are many more, not all listed. This is roughly the origin of Dali's new-style specialty coffee shops. But origin aside, everyone has to walk their own path. I think Tao Xing, with his own persistence and understanding, has taken a unique direction. Although I don't understand coffee, only drinking dark roast bitter coffee with aroma if possible—like Japanese traditional or even cheap Southeast Asian condensed milk coffee—I've often heard customers mention Tian Coffee as a special place that gives them a very unique experience, both in coffee taste and in the shop's own character. That impressed me deeply. I also felt that if you have your own pursuits and persistence, time truly allows everyone to go far and uniquely on their own path. - Jason Supplementary introduction (from online): Tian Coffee is a very representative old-brand café in Xizhou Ancient Town. Unlike many Dali cafés that rely on rice field views, terrace photo spots, or trendy decor, it's more like a quiet town living room: wooden windows, antique furniture, warm tones, old objects, and unhurried pour-over coffee. Once you enter, you naturally slow down. The most special thing about this shop is that it turns "drinking coffee" into a ritual close to "drinking tea." Customers can choose their favorite cup and drink a pour-over using different vessels; coffee is not just a beverage but becomes a quiet pause. Many people recall Tian Coffee not for a photo angle, but for the wooden stairs, sunlight, cups, coffee aroma, and the unique relaxation of Xizhou town after sitting down. In terms of coffee itself, Tian Coffee is not a travel café that only sells ambiance. Early introductions mention that the owner originally roasted coffee beans, and the shop focuses on pour-over coffee; now public platforms show its specialty drinks include Yunnan Typica, Yunnan Gaoligong, Yunnan Qiupu, Geisha, cold brew, etc. It's more suitable for those who want to seriously enjoy a cup of coffee, not those who just want to quickly grab a drink for a photo op. Overall, Tian Coffee's charm lies in its "restraint." It doesn't rely on exaggerated decoration to create a Dali vibe, but instead uses the old house's character, pour-over coffee, selection of vessels, and quiet atmosphere to present the more introverted side of Xizhou. If Xizhou's rice field cafés are for viewing scenery and taking photos, then Tian Coffee is for sitting down and experiencing the slow, detailed part of ancient town life. Best recommended for: guests who like quiet spaces, pour-over coffee, old objects, vessel aesthetics, and town atmosphere. Not recommended for: those seeking large views, strong photo spots, trendy bustling shops, or those in a hurry wanting a quick drink.