You can get Assam on taobao

There was an Indian fair going on at Nanya like a week ago. Didn't stop to see what vendor booths had for sale though.

Hello, thanks again all, especially Xiefei.

I went to the Xiongda tea market yesterday and I found red tea which is really good, much better than lipton in my opinion. I'm not sure whether or not the price is good it's Y40 for 100g, but the shop keepers were extremely nice and let me take some home to try with milk for free so I think I'll go back soon. I also found another reasonable one about Y20 but still have to try it with milk, without milk it seems to have a bit more of a fruity taste so maybe not quite so similar though still nice.

I only went to four shops and about two said they didn't have red tea that was similar to Assam tea or to the tea people drink in England. I'm not sure whether this was because they really didn't have any similar tea, or maybe are much more aware of the flavour than me and think it's different. One shop kept asking if I was able to buy Y300 (1kg) worth and didn't seem to want to let me try it unless I committed to buying it first. They said they didn't have tea like Assam though so probably if I'd tried it it would have been different.

The one I found to me seems very good with milk, it has a slight molasses taste, perhaps like Hong Kong milk tea :)

Hi Sahara,

I'm glad you've had a pleasurable experience. What I've found about buying tea, is that relationship (as is with most things in China) is key. You need to build a relationship with your tea merchant by becoming a repeat customer.

You've already started the first step, which is visiting several vendors and sampling their goods. Take your time to visit different shops and sample their teas while chatting up with the owner or manager. As a courtesy, you should buy small amounts to thank them for their hospitality. Based on rapport and your personal comfortableness with the vendors, narrow it down to one in which you want to do business with. Then from time to time, pop in (as you would with a friend) sample some tea and strike up a conversation with them; talk about the snow in KM. ;)

As they get to know you, you could be certain that they won't want to loose your business by gouging you or giving you inferior goods. They might even steer you to the newest tea they've procured and you might like them as well.

From time to time, though, keep them on their toes by visiting other stores to compare quality and prices.

I find tea buying an enjoyable process and I usually end up walking away with 300+ yuan worth of tea. And when ever I am in need to buy tea for gifts, I find having a reliable and trusted merchant very handy and hassle free.

Good luck on your tea adventure =)

the guy who does not let you sample don't know tea or doesn't care. if they wanna sell you 300 rmb and no less, without sample, then they don't have your tea and dont care about selling you what you dont want. they guess you wont come back but they got your 300. this is lazy and greedy and a common attitude in this part of china.

Actually, that kind of proprietor is the exception at the tea market anyways. Most let you sample, even to laowais, whom usually do end up not buying any tea.

I find it strange how they don't let you sample perfume here.
Everywhere else I've been there is always a sample bottle to douse yourself down with. Here the shop assistant advises that you smell the package??? or on special days, when money is no object, they may give you a small strip of paper to smell.