The beautifully crafted Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse was gifted to the city from Tajikistan in exchange where the City of Boulder sent a building of its own choosing to a home found half-way around the globe.

When Maksud Ikramov, Dushanbe’s mayor, first visited Boulder in 1987, he announced that Dushanbe would present Boulder with a teahouse to celebrate the establishment of sister city ties. According to Atlas Obscura, in the sister cities program, each city agreed to exchange one building. In exchange for the teahouse, Boulder gifted Dushanbe an Internet cafe.

Between 1987 and 1990, more than 40 artisans in several cities of Tajikistan made the elements of the teahouse, which include its intricate hand-carved and hand-painted ceiling, tables, stools, columns, and exterior ceramic panels.

The teahouse reflects an artistic tradition that dates back nearly 2,000 years. According to the teahouse, in Central Asia, they are meant to be gathering places where friends meet to talk or play chess over a cup of tea. Many teahouses are traditionally decorated with Persian art, distinguished by the use of motifs from nature – “stellar, solar, and floral, by the repetition of patterns, by form over representation and pattern over detail, and by lavish decoration and color.”

Eight colorful ceramic panels decorate the building’s exterior, displaying patterns of a “Tree of Life” enclosed by a mihrab motif (a niche or alcove in the wall of a mosque that indicates the direction of Mecca).

The teahouse also has a hand-carved and intricately painted ceiling with patterns of traditional Persian Art. The interior of the teahouse also includes 12 uniquely carved cedar columns.

The Boulder Teahouse has an impressive 4.1 stars on Yelp, with reviewers praising the beautiful building and unique history of the teahouse. One reviewer writes “You are transported to another world walking into this unique structure. The history behind this building really adds to the charm.”

As a unique building with an interesting history, the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse offers a special dining experience.

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