Cities
Germany Potsdam Brandenburg Historical Landmark

Chinesisches Haus

About

The Chinesisches Haus in Potsdam is a whimsical Rococo pavilion that captures Europe’s 18th-century fascination with the Far East. Nestled in the Rehgarten of Sanssouci Park, this ornate garden structure was commissioned by Frederick the Great and built between 1754 and 1757. Designed by Johann Gottfried Büring, it exemplifies Chinoiserie—a European interpretation of Chinese aesthetics—blending Rococo curves with exotic motifs. The pavilion’s exterior is adorned with life-size gilded sculptures of musicians and tea drinkers in stylized Chinese attire, while the interior features a lavish ceiling painting depicting an imagined Chinese banquet. Despite its name, the house reflects more of Europe’s fantasy of China than authentic Chinese design, revealing the era’s romanticized view of distant cultures. Originally used as a summer dining room, the Chinesisches Haus remains one of Sanssouci’s most photographed landmarks, offering visitors a glimpse into the playful elegance of Prussian court life.

Potsdam Germany
Chinesisches Haus
Location

The Chinesisches Haus, or Chinese House, is a striking Rococo pavilion set within Sanssouci Park in Potsdam, located about 660 to 700 meters southwest of the Sanssouci Palace itself. Designed in the 18th-century Chinoiserie style, this ornate garden pavilion is surrounded by life-sized gilded figures of Chinese musicians and tea drinkers, giving it a fantastical flair. The Chinese House is nestled amidst beautiful landscaped gardens and is close to other notable attractions within Sanssouci Park, including the Orangery Palace and the Dragon House. Visitors enjoy strolling the park’s walking paths, discovering these exotic features along with the surrounding historic palaces, lush greenery, and tranquil ponds. The park is accessible from Potsdam’s main train station and offers a peaceful setting combining art, history, and nature in one of the most picturesque corners of the city.​

Sanssouci Park Sanssouci Park Park Neuer Garten Neuer Garten Park Potsdam Museum – Forum für Kunst und Geschichte Potsdam Museum – Forum für Kunst und Geschichte Museum House of Brandenburg-Prussian History House of Brandenburg-Prussian History Museum Memorial and Encounter Site Leistikowstraße Potsdam Memorial and Encounter Site Leistikowstraße Potsdam Museum Lindenstraße Memorial Foundation Lindenstraße Memorial Foundation Museum Museum Alexandrowka Museum Alexandrowka Museum Jan Bouman House Jan Bouman House Museum Nowaweser Weberstube Nowaweser Weberstube Museum Im Güldenen Arm Im Güldenen Arm Museum Waisenhausmuseum Potsdam Waisenhausmuseum Potsdam Museum Filmmuseum Potsdam Filmmuseum Potsdam Museum Natural History Museum Potsdam Natural History Museum Potsdam Museum Historic Mill of Sanssouci Historic Mill of Sanssouci Museum Extavium Extavium Museum URANIA-Planetarium Potsdam URANIA-Planetarium Potsdam Museum Museum Barberini Museum Barberini Museum DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam Museum museum FLUXUS+ museum FLUXUS+ Museum Villa Schöningen Villa Schöningen Museum New Palace Potsdam New Palace Potsdam Castle Belvedere Castle on the Pfingstberg Belvedere Castle on the Pfingstberg Castle Hans Otto Theatre Hans Otto Theatre Theatre Reithalle Reithalle Theatre Theaterschiff Potsdam Theaterschiff Potsdam Theatre T-Werk T-Werk Theatre Kabarett Obelisk Kabarett Obelisk Theatre Fabrik Potsdam Fabrik Potsdam Theatre Open Air Kinosommer am Waschhaus Open Air Kinosommer am Waschhaus Cinema Kunstraum Potsdam Kunstraum Potsdam Museum Galerie KUNST-KONTOR Galerie KUNST-KONTOR Gallery Kunstverein KunstHaus Potsdam e.V. Kunstverein KunstHaus Potsdam e.V. Gallery a|e Galerie a|e Galerie Gallery Kunsthaus sans titre Kunsthaus sans titre Gallery Sperl Galerie Sperl Galerie Gallery Ausstellungspavillon des Brandenburgischen Kunstvereins Potsdam e. V. Ausstellungspavillon des Brandenburgischen Kunstvereins Potsdam e. V. Museum Antique Temple Antique Temple Historical Landmark Charlottenhof Palace Charlottenhof Palace Castle Pheasantry Pheasantry Historical Landmark Sanssouci Palace Sanssouci Palace Palace Nauen Gate Nauen Gate Historical Landmark Gartendirektionsgebäude Gartendirektionsgebäude Historical Landmark Bank mit Havelblick Bank mit Havelblick Park Orangerieschloss Orangerieschloss Palace Marmorpalais Marmorpalais Castle Römische Bäder Römische Bäder Historical Landmark Flatowturm Flatowturm Historical Landmark Bornstedt Crown Estate Bornstedt Crown Estate Palace Schloss Babelsberg Schloss Babelsberg Castle Schloss Sacrow Schloss Sacrow Castle Park Babelsberg Park Babelsberg Park Freundschaftsinsel Freundschaftsinsel Park Volkspark Potsdam Volkspark Potsdam Park Botanischer Garten Potsdam Botanischer Garten Potsdam Botanical Garden Normannischer Turm Normannischer Turm Historical Landmark Obeliskportal Obeliskportal Historical Landmark Neptune Grotto Neptune Grotto Historical Landmark Temple of Friendship Temple of Friendship Historical Landmark Garnisonkirche Garnisonkirche Museum Wochenmarkt am Nauener Tor Wochenmarkt am Nauener Tor Market Floh- & Bauernmarkt am Weberplatz Floh- & Bauernmarkt am Weberplatz market Muschelgrotte Muschelgrotte Historical Landmark Jägertor Potsdam Jägertor Potsdam Historical Landmark Winzerberg Potsdam Winzerberg Potsdam Historical sites Friedenskirche Friedenskirche Church Kolonnade mit Triumphtor Kolonnade mit Triumphtor Historical Landmark Einstein Tower Einstein Tower Observatory Wasserturm Potsdam Hauptbahnhof Wasserturm Potsdam Hauptbahnhof Historical Landmark St. Nicholas Church Potsdam St. Nicholas Church Potsdam Church Church of the Redeemer Church of the Redeemer Church Loggia alexandra Loggia alexandra Historical Landmark Stoffmarkt Holland Stoffmarkt Holland Market Fortunaportal Fortunaportal Tourist attractions Gutspark Gutspark Museum Brandenburg Gate Postdam Brandenburg Gate Postdam Historical Landmark