Tea total-ing

With a giant sign proclaiming "Beijing No 1 Tea Street" and a teapot sculpture at one end, Maliandao market is hard to miss. The avenue is home to hundreds of tea stores, and attracts some 1,000 tea-dealers from across China.

Located to the west of Xuanwu district and near the Beijing West Railway Station, the area is known as one of China's best markets for buying an endless variety of fresh tea leaves.

Step inside one of the many outlets, and a shopkeeper will most likely invite you to relax, have a seat and sample some of their specialty teas. According to your taste, the vendor will find a suitable tea and concoct a new brew especially for you.