Yuanshan Chongqing Hotpot: The 5L Fruit Tea That's Taking Xi'an By Storm
Yuanshan Chongqing Hotpot has become Xi'an's hottest dining sensation, thanks to its massive 5-liter "Hero Cup" fruit tea that requires two people to lift. This viral hotpot chain combines traditional Chongqing flavors with Instagram-worthy drinks, creating the perfect storm for social media fame.
What Makes It So Special
The star attraction is the colossal fruit tea — at 5 liters, it's larger than a face basin and comes with an extra-long straw. The chain operates multiple locations across Xi'an, with the flagship Zhangba North Road store consistently ranking #1 on Dianping's hotpot charts with 4.8-star ratings. Expect to queue at busy times, with lines forming as early as 12:30 PM.
Beyond the novelty drink, Yuanshan serves authentic Chongqing-style hotpot featuring hand-fried beef tallow broth and air-shipped ingredients from Chongqing. The signature beef tallow base starts mild but intensifies as it cooks, delivering that distinctive numbing-spicy profile.
What to Order
The 5L fruit tea costs 68 RMB and easily serves 6-8 people, making it surprisingly economical. Must-try dishes include the 24-hour air-shipped beef tripe, hand-cut Angus snowflake beef, and crispy sausage fried rice. The handmade beef buns arrive fresh from the kitchen with soup inside.
Practical Details
The main Xi'an location is at Zhangba North Road 522, Yanta District. Expect to pay around ¥85-96 per person. Make reservations through Dianping to skip the wait, and group meal packages are available for convenience.
With locations now spanning multiple cities and a growing reputation for both authentic flavors and social media spectacle, Yuanshan represents the new generation of Chinese dining experiences. Planning a Xi'an trip? Check our city guide.
Keep reading
Where to Stay in Dali: Ancient Town, Erhai Shore or Xiaguan
For a first trip, base in Dali Ancient Town and treat the lakeshore as a two-night add-on. Here is how the five main areas compare on distance, price and what you can walk to.
A Beijing Hutong Citywalk: Yangmei Zhu Slanted Street to Dong Jiao Min Xiang
A relaxed full-day Beijing hutong walk from Yangmei Zhu Slanted Street to Dong Jiao Min Xiang, plus the classic Drum Tower to Shichahai autumn route.
Dali airport to the city centre: shuttle bus, taxi or DiDi
The airport shuttle costs ¥15 to Xiaguan and ¥25 to Dali Old Town and meets every landing; a taxi or DiDi is about ¥50–60 to Xiaguan and ¥80–110 to the Old Town.