>
>I just got back from Shanghai and didn't get a chance to go to the Yuan Ming
>Yuan tea shop mentioned by Samarkand. There is so much to do there and it's
>not very easy to get around for a total neophyte like me... All the same I
>found some pretty amazing teas, mostly oolongs and greens (long jing is the
>most common in this region). There is quite a good quantity of "tea flowers"
>(long thin leaves tied around some dried flowers, tied and shaped in a
>ball). I bought some, they're nice as gifts, but not everything is made of
>good quality tea. I had a better impression of some long jing teas and
>oolongs I found there.

You are only like 2 hours away from Hangzhou by bus. If you like
longjing, I really recommend you going there in the spring and trying
to get some of the first harvest stuff in longjing village. I was
able to get some top grade for not too expensive this year, and it's
probably the best longjing that I've ever tasted. And, the West Lake
area in HZ is nice too....sorta. I just went for the tea, though.
heh.


Mydnight

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thus then i turn me from my countries light, to dwell in the solemn shades of an endless night.