 Last Modified: 2007-03-31 23:52:25.0
Tea Market ( 茶市场 )
Hours: Open Daily, Early to Late
Address: Datong Lu. (Close to Zhongshan Lu)
( 大同路，在中山路附近 )
Manager Review
Author:Caroline Richardson (Last Modified: 2007-03-31 23:52:25.0)
 The Tea Market is my new favorite place in Shanghai. Definitely off the beaten track, the market is only mentioned in one of several Shanghai guide books I own. I had always been interested in visiting the tea market, but was never sure exactly what I would find. I took a taxi, although in retrospect, I could have taken the metro, as the market is merely 5 minutes walk from the Main Shanghai Station. The taxi ride was 20RMB from the center of the city. The driver dropped us off pretty close to the market, but we still had to wander a bit to find its exact location.
The market is on one large street with many tea stalls. I let myself believe this was the only section until I stepped into a stall on the left side and happened upon a long alleyway behind the street containing hundreds of more stalls. I bought tea from a few different shops. While one shop did rip me off (by about 10RMB, so I cannot really complain), I eventually found a fantastic shop run by a sweet young man who spoke English very well. He invited me to sit down to taste several different teas while he explained how to make the tea. He taught me quite a bit; did you know that the temperature of the water really makes a big difference? He combined different flowers and herbs to help me with my ailments. The final product was a hibiscus, sweet chamomile and rose tea that is beautiful and wonderfully sweet. He also explained that he is the only shop in the market that sells a green tea that can be brewed with cold water, perfect for ice tea in the steaming hot Shanghai summers.
The tea market is an experience not to missed by anyone. Even if you do not fancy yourself as a tea lover, trust me – you too will become a believer. I myself am now a convert.
Try to visit “Candy” at stall B-26 for some personal attention. Since the government keeps threatening to move the market, call him at 137-0168-7221 to make sure he is not in a new location. Upon my last visit he promised they would be there through the year. Enjoy!
How to get there: Metro, any line. Look for DaTong Lu (大同路). The market is only 5 minutes away from the station, but bring a map – the route requires a few funny turns to find it. Otherwise, just take a taxi to the intersection of Datong Lu and Zhongshan Lu (中山路), and then head left on Datong Lu. The market verges to the left, you’ll see the stalls.
Interesting ...
(author: Alenc at 2006-05-26 11:12:53.0)
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