Tucked in the west end of Beijing's boisterous restaurant street Gui Jie, Shixiang Zizai offers an escape for those of us who long for a moment of peace during the day. I do.

Though a store, Shixiang Zizai also features a library and a teahouse where their patrons can educate themselves on Tibetan culture.

The room features over a dozen Thangka paintings collected from the Qinghai Province in Northwestern China, and cozy tables covered with Tibetan linen. On the shelves, numerous books about Tibetan culture and Buddhism, and some travelogues.

Thangkas are paintings or embroideries on cloth scrolls (silk and other materials) usually found in Buddhist monasteries and devout Tibetan homes. Shixiang Zizai sell some of these religious works of art.

The store is run by a young lawyer and Tibetan college students. They strive to support education in Tibet through the sale of Thangkas and volunteer work.

You can also sit inside, and enjoy a cup of Tibetan buttered tea and other drinks. They are served with cookies, for 40-50 yuans a pot. For internet addicts like me, the WiFi connection makes my day.

The address: 14-5 Chaoyangmennei Dajie, Doncheng District, Beijing

Nearest metro station: ChaoYangMen Station