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Tea Street

Tea Street

The real name of the street is Maliandao, and you'll find it in the southwestern parts of Beijing. It stretches almost a mile in north-south direction, and it holds hundreds of tea shops, swarming on each side of the street and in the large tea markets.

Alongside cups and tins with green tea, jasmine tee, flower tea and oolong tea, you'll find tea cups, teapots, tea tables and anything else that can be associated with Chinese tea. Mass-produced cups and pots can be purchased cheaply, but there are also shops here that sell really expensive china produced by well-known Chinese potters.

Of all the indoor markets on Tea Street, two are more popular with tourists than the rest. The first one is the newly built market in the south. Some of the shops here claim to be open 24 hours a day. Unfortunately, we don't know anyone who has felt the need to buy tea in the middle of the night, so we can't give you any guarantees, but if you've tried it, please let us know about your visit! The other market is called Maliandao Tea City - or Tea Joy Market as the sign by the street says. It is a four-storey building where three of the floors are reserved for tea. On the fourth you will, quite unexpectedly, find DV cameras, SLR cameras and other photo-related goods.

If the weather is good, we suggest you to skip these indoor markets, at least to begin with, and give the shops in the bystreets, for instance those southeast of Tea City, a chance. These will give you a more authentic impression of Beijing than the polished marble floors of the markets - and it's very likely that the prices are lower.

Salespeople and atmosphere

In the large tea markets, you might have the good fortune to find some English-speaking salespeople. The chance is smaller in the shops in the bystreets, but that's usually not a problem since the salespeople are so helpful. The prices are negotiable, and sometimes you need to bargain a lot.

Shopping in Beijing
(Text updated: 2012-06-04)

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mene wrote...2015-10-13

I stay at Kerry hotel. Are ther car accessory shops around there?

alex wrote...2014-10-26

I am visiting Beijing from the 27th to the 3rd, I want a place where I can buy nice clothes and hand bangs by Michael Lors

barbara wrote...2014-07-31

Hello, I'm lookung for some buyer of handmade ceramics (pottery). When I'm be able to find any contact by email?

DL wrote...2014-02-26

I'm looking for an english speaking tourguide or expert on Maliandao street for a radio interview...the scene, the tea, the history. please contact me.

Jyri wrote...2013-02-21

Hello! Where to buy ham radio (amateur radio) apparell? Thanks!

Rox wrote...2012-09-08

Its seems prices are very high and you cant bargain

Joshua answered...

Prices may vary between stores and tea quality. With this huge amount of stores you will be able to find the whole range, so just keep on looking.

zulaisham abdullah wrote...2012-05-16

I am going to visit beijing by next week. And i need to know where can i find computer part.

Shopping in Beijing answered...

Hi Zulaisham!
Sounds like you want to visit Zhonguancun. Good luck!

Jackline wrote...2012-02-13

I'll stay at Jianguo Hotel near Silk Market. How to go there from this point?

Shopping in Beijing answered...

Hi Jackline!
You can take subway line 1 to Fuxingmen and change to bus line 46, or take a taxi.
Enjoy your stay in Beijing!

PiterHuang (Indonesia) wrote...2011-12-12

How can I get there by public transportation (by subway combine with public bus)?

Shopping in Beijing wrote...2008-01-02

You are warmly welcomed to comment, give tips or ask questions regarding this market or Beijing's shopping in general.

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