Chinese House in Sanssouci Park

The Chinese House (Chinesisches Haus) is an ornamental pavilion within the gardens of Sanssouci Park in Potsdam. Built for Frederick the Great, it is an exquisite example of the 18th-century Chinoiserie style, a European interpretation of Chinese and East Asian aesthetics. 

Planning your visit

• Operating schedule: The Chinese House is typically open from May to mid-October, Tuesday through Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It is closed during the winter season (November to April).
• Admission: Entry to the Sanssouci Park grounds is free. To see the interior of the Chinese House, you can either buy a single ticket for €5 (reduced €4) or use a Sanssouci+ day pass. The Sanssouci+ ticket provides entry to all open SPSG palaces in Potsdam on one day.
• Best time to visit: Located a pleasant walk from Sanssouci Palace and the New Palace, the Chinese House is a popular stop for park visitors. Visiting mid-morning or late afternoon can help avoid the busiest times.
• How to get there: The Chinese House is in the eastern part of Sanssouci Park, about 700 meters southwest of Sanssouci Palace.
  • Walking: A pleasant, approximately 15-minute walk from the Charlottenhof Palace station.
  • Public transport: From Potsdam Hauptbahnhof, take the tram (line 91 or 94) to the “Schloss Charlottenhof” stop.
• Accessibility: The Chinese House is not wheelchair accessible, and strollers are not permitted inside for conservation reasons. 

What to see

• Golden exterior: Admire the ornate facade with life-sized, gilded sandstone sculptures of Chinese musicians and tea-drinking figures. The sculptures were modeled by locals, giving them a distinctively European flair.
• Trefoil shape: The pavilion’s unusual trefoil, or cloverleaf, shape is a distinguishing architectural feature.
• Extravagant interior: Inside, a large central hall is decorated with a beautiful ceiling painting of a jovial Chinese social gathering. The rooms are also adorned with gilded consoles, which hold 17th and 18th-century Chinese and Japanese porcelain.
• Park setting: The house is set within the beautifully landscaped Rehgarten (Roe Deer Garden), offering a peaceful and scenic environment for a stroll. 

Dining options nearby

• Drachenhaus Restaurant: Located on a hill nearby, this restaurant offers food and coffee in a Chinese-style pagoda.
• Café Repin: A café near the Picture Gallery and Sanssouci Palace.
• Other options: Various other cafés and restaurants are scattered throughout the park and near its main entrances. 

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