This wholesale market for tea can be reached through Shiweitang station of line 11 or by taxi.
‘Note: You can download either Baidu Maps or Amap and navigate through the buttons below. You can also directly order a taxi through the App. Learn more in this Guide.
Endless Choices of Tea
If you’re even remotely curious about Chinese tea, you would not want to miss Guangdong Fangcun Tea City in Guangzhou. It is called the largest tea market in the world, with more than 3,000 shops. All of them filled with the aroma of freshly brewed leaves and centuries of tradition. Walking through the corridors, you’ll encounter vendors eager to pour you a cup of Pu’er, Oolong, or Longjing, often while explaining the tea’s origin, harvest method, and brewing technique. For anyone who loves a good cup of tea, the market offers a sensory deep-dive into the culture of Chinese tea. Here buying tea is less of a transaction and more of a conversation, sometimes over an entire pot. But be aware that you need to buy at least 500g of tea in most shops.
Chinese tea is as diverse as the regions it comes from, from fresh green teas like the, nutty Longjing from Hangzhou or oolong teas such as Tieguanyin, known for its floral aroma and silky texture. Not to forget black teas like Yunnan’s rich and malty Dianhong. There’s white tea, delicate and minimally processed, and the earthy, fermented dark teas like Pu’er, which can be aged for decades. Each type brings its local tradition, terroir, and craftsmanship. And at Fangcun, all of these stories come together under one roof, waiting for you to taste, explore, and bring home a piece of China’s tea heritage.
