YXHUPOT Dragon Tortoise Zisha Clay Gongfu Teapot

This is a traditional gongfu-style teapot, so it's smaller than Western teapots—about enough for one generous serving or 4 small traditional Chinese tea cups. Several buyers mention being surprised by the size, so if you're looking to serve multiple people at once, you might want a larger pot. But for personal gongfu brewing sessions, the capacity is actually ideal.

No, there's no removable strainer. Instead, it has built-in filtration holes in the spout, which is the traditional design for Yixing pots. This works well for larger tea leaves, but a few users mention that very fine particles can occasionally pass through. Some buyers recommend using it with oolong or pu-erh rather than finely broken teas, or simply accepting a few stray leaves as part of the authentic experience.

Zisha clay is prized by tea enthusiasts because it retains heat beautifully—your tea stays warm much longer than in porcelain or glass pots. Multiple reviewers specifically praise the heat retention. Even better, authentic Zisha clay is porous and 'seasons' over time, meaning it absorbs tea oils and gradually enhances the flavor of your brews. That's why serious collectors often dedicate one Yixing pot to a single type of tea.

The dragon craftsmanship gets rave reviews—buyers repeatedly mention how detailed and attractive it is. One person said it's 'stunning' and another called it 'beautiful.' The dragon motif isn't just painted on; it's sculpted into the clay itself, giving it a substantial, authentic feel. It's definitely a conversation piece that makes your tea ritual feel more special.

Absolutely. The forgiving heat retention means your tea won't cool down while you're still figuring out steeping times, and the built-in filter simplifies the process compared to managing separate strainers. Plus, the beautiful design makes the whole ritual more engaging for beginners. Just be aware you'll need to get comfortable cleaning it without a removable strainer—swirling warm water through it after brewing works well.

Reviewers say it pours smoothly without dripping, which is important for precision in gongfu brewing where you're doing multiple quick infusions. The spout design with the built-in filtration holes helps control the flow, so you're not making a mess on your tea tray.