A *beituo* (cup stand or saucer) is a small, shallow tray used to hold a cup on a table. In the context of tea sets, it is known as a *chatuo* (tea stand) and serves to support the teacup; common forms include disc-like, bowl-like, pedestal, and compound styles. The term also refers to the functional cup holders found in automobiles. Modern cup stands have evolved to incorporate creative designs and eco-friendly materials, serving as objects that facilitate social interaction.
Its history dates back to ancient times; the *zhantuo* (cup stand-also known as a tea stand or "tea boat") evolved from the trays used for "ear-handled cups" (*erbei*) during the Eastern Han Dynasty, eventually establishing the standard "one cup, one stand" configuration by the Eastern Jin Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty text *Zixia Ji* records the invention of the tea stand. While tea stands appeared in diverse forms during the Song Dynasty, boat-shaped stands-often referred to as "tea boats" (*chazhou* or *chachuan*)-became common during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.