Wang Xiulan, vice-chairman of the Beijing Tea Marketing Association, gave a lecture on herbal tea. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Maliandao in southwestern Beijing is known as one of the country's biggest tea markets. It was also one of the two venues of this year's China International Tea Expo, from June 16 to 19. It also was held at the Beijing Exhibition Center.

Varieties of Chinese tea from major production regions were on show, including Fujian, Anhui, Jiangxi and Hunan provinces, as well as this year's guest city of honor, Zunyi in Guizhou province. Also seen at the fair were tea sets, zisha teapots, snacks made of tea and costume designs inspired by long-standing tea culture, attracting tens of thousands of visitors.

Maliandao also hosted a tea culture festival with a diverse program. International students in Beijing were invited to a tasting activity, artists from across the country demonstrated tea ceremonies at a competition, and Wang Xiulan, vice-chairman of Beijing Tea Marketing Association, gave a lecture on herbal tea.