Maliandao Tea Market, Beijing

by Karen Ross (subscribe)

If you are a tea lover, like me, you'll find a treasure trove of tea at the Maliandao tea market in Beijing. It's easy to get to if you use the excellent Beijing subway system. Travel to Wanzi Station, leave from exit D and turn left. Not only is the road lined with small tea shops but there is a three storey department store filled to the brim with tea and tea-making paraphernalia.



You'll be made to feel most welcome to join a tea 'ceremony' at any one of the shops and stalls and it's a wonderful way to gain insight into this delightful Chinese custom. I was fascinated by the rituals and the equipment used in the process of tasting tea.



Most people I encountered spoke very little English and sadly I know only a handful of words in Mandarin but we managed to communicate, often between bouts of laughter. One of my new tea-drinking friends explained the elaborate process of making 'art tea' with the aid of an audio translation app on her phone.



I enjoyed three 'ceremonies', purchased oolong tea, red tea, jasmine tea and tea flowers, two teapots, a ceramic canister and six tea strainers. I'm planning on drinking a lot of tea.

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Why? I'm a tea lover, are you?

When: daily until 8pm

Where: Maliandao Road, Xicheng, Beijing, China

Cost: around $20Aus for 100g of tea. Strainers are cheaper.