Hi Alex,
Thanks so much! I'm sure I'll make it to Beijing often. That is, if I
end up in Dalian. I still haven't decided on a final destination, but
Dalian seems likely. I'm hoping the lack of tea culture will be made up
by excellent and plentiful seafood.

Nico


Alex wrote:
> Being in Dalian, you'll also be within striking distance of the huge
> tea market in Beijing. The name of it is slipping my mind at the
> moment, but it's in the south of the city. It's really excellent.
> I'll find out the coordinates for you. You will also want to bring a
> Chinese-speaking friend when you go there.
>
> Mydnight wrote:
> > > Hi all,
> > > So after much waiting I'm finally fulfilling my dream of living and
> > > working in China. I haven't settled on a destination yet, but there's a
> > > good chance I'll end up in Dalian.
> > >
> > > I realize Dalian is a ways a way from the tea growing/consuming part of
> > > China, but being a modern, wealthy city, which attracts people from
> > > around the country, it must have a decent tea shop (or so I hope).
> > >
> > > Anyone been there recently, or, better yet, lived there, and know where
> > > to find a good tea shop?
> >
> > Well, I would like to be the first to welcome you to the chaos that is
> > China. Northerners aren't really into drinking tea as much as the
> > Southerners. The types of shops you will find are usually artsy little
> > numbers that are sorta havens for rich people with nothing to do. You
> > MIGHT be able to find some decent tea in Dalian, but it would be
> > unlikely. The thing about China is the further from the source of the
> > goods that you want, the lower quality and more expensive the stuff
> > would likely to be.
> >
> > If you are coming to China for tea mostly, you should try the South.
> > Although, it is sorta culturally barren around here. If you are coming
> > to China for culture, choose anywhere but the South. I like tea, so
> > I'm here...down South.