The Chinese Tea Shop

A recent trip to Vancouver, B.C. included a visit to the famous Chinese Tea Shop in Chinatown.  The shop is located on the corner of East Pender and Columbia and is one block from the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.

There is a nice mural along the side of the building, but the early-evening lighting wasn't working in my favor for the photograph.

The Chinese Tea Shop carries an impressive selection of teas, including (and especially) aged puerh and other aged teas.  The staff were patient and helpful in introducing me to tea varieties I would enjoy and I purchased a small sampling of  Wild Buds Yabao Tea and 20 year old, charcoal roasted Iron Buddha which I will describe more in a future post.  They get high marks for staying open late, allowing me time to browse without the pressure of knowing that I was taking up their personal time.  They even offered a tea tasting!  I didn't realize I had been imposing until I got home and saw their hours posted on the website.  Well done!  

A large case near the back of the shop displays beautiful and unique antique teaware and there is also a good selection of vintage and modern teapots and teaware available for purchase.  

I had planned to return during my visit and only bought a few small items, but an unexpected illness sent me home early.  A return trip is definitely in order as there is at least one gongfu tray that needs to go home with me, along with a teapot (or two, or three), and tea, more tea, and even more tea.

Address: 

101 East Pender Street, Vancouver,B.C. V6A 1T6

Hours: 
1:00pm to 6:00pm (Monday)
1:00pm to 6:00pm (Wednesday-Sunday)

Closed Tuesday