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Chinese Arts Centre - Visitor & Contact Information
View of front of Chinese Arts Centre, image by Dennis Gilbert
View of main gallery space, image by Dennis Gilbert
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Address:
Chinese Arts Centre
Market Buildings
Thomas Street
Manchester
M4 1EU
Click to view large map
Telephone:
Administration: 00 44(0)161 832 7271
Education: 00 44(0)161 832 7280
Fax: 00 44(0)161 832 7513
E-mail: info@chinese-arts-centre.org
Opening times:
Monday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm
Sunday: 11am - 5pm
Bank Holidays: Closed
Chinese Arts Centre is fully accessible. Admission is free.
How to find us
Chinese Arts Centre is in city centre Manchester, within walking distance of the Arndale Centre and the Printworks complex. Follow the blue tourist information signs located around the city.
By Bus
We are within walking distance of the new bus interchange situated on Shudehill. There are also bus stops situated on Thomas St directly outside the building.
By Metrolink
The nearest tram stops are Market Street and Shudehill
By Train
The nearest stations are Victoria station and Piccadilly station (follow the blue tourist information signs to us)
By Car
Follow the ring road by Ancoats onto Shudehill
Parking
There are a number of parking options available including, Shudehill bus station interchange car park, Church Street car park, Manchester Arndale carpark all short/long stay. There are also parking bays located outside of the centre (maximum stay of 1 hour)
International
Manchester International Airport is situated 15 minutes outside of the city
centre
The Teahouse
Teahouse
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Chinese Arts Centre houses a stylish new Teahouse where visitors and curious passers-by may relax and sample some of the many Chinese teas that we sell.
Green Tea is the oldest and most natural of all Chinese tea leaves. It is baked immediately after picking. It retains the original colour of the tea leave as the fermentation process is skipped. Compared to many other Chinese teas, green tea has the greatest medicinal value and the least caffiene content of all Chinese teas. About 50% of China? teas is green tea. Aroma is medium to high, flavour is light to medium.
Black Tea is green tea that has been dryed out, left to ferment for a long while, and then roasted. Black tea has a robust taste with a mild aroma.
Oolong Tea is only partially fermented. It? also called ?ing Cha (grass tea). Typical Oolong leaves are green in the middle and red on the edges as a result of the process to soften the tea leaves. Oolong tea grows on cliffs. Harvesting this type of tea is very difficult, which makes it the most precious. This tea combines the freshness of green tea and the fragrance of black tea. It is the serious Chinese tea drinker? tea. Aroma ranges from light to medium. Even though the flavour is only mild to medium, the tea could be very strong.
White Tea is sometimes considered a subclass of green tea. It is only dried and then roasted. It gets its name from the white down on the leaf buds. It has very low caffiene content.
Yellow Tea has yellow leaves and yellow tea colour. It? an uncommon class of Chinese tea. Flavour is mild and refreshing.
Red Tea has red leaves and red tea colour, it? characteristics of red tea? fermentation process. It has low aroma and medium flavour.
Flower Tea is a unique class of Chinese tea. There are two types of this tea; flower tea and scented tea. Flower tea is a simple concept that dried flowers without much processing, to make tea. Scented tea, popular in Northern China, is a mixture of green tea with flower petals of rose, jasmine, orchid or plum, which is combined through an elaborate process. Flower tea has light to medium flavour and medium to strong aroma.
Compressed (Brick) Tea is usually pressed into a brick shape, which makes it easier for transportion and storage. It can be stored for decades. Compressed tea is made from black tea, hence it has all the characteristics of black tea. This kind of tea is popular with residents in the border regions of China. The most famous brick tea is ?u?r made in Yunnan province. Once aged, compressed tea has a milder flavour than black tea.
The Shop
View of the shop
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Chinese Arts Centre shop offers a unique opportunity to purchase gifts which celebrate the quality and creativity of Chinese artists. From sumptuous hand embroidered silk scarves to limited edition items by international artists, we are certain that there'll be some item that you just can't live without.
The shop carries an extensive range of art books, catalogues and magazines, many of which aren't available anywhere else in the country. In addition there will be stationary by award-winning Hong Kong designer Alan Chan inspired by traditionl motifs and a range of hand-made, natural fibre, wrapping paper. There is also an assortment of 'pocket money' items including lanterns, jade bracelets and opera masks.
The shop has a range of resources specifically for those interested in practicing Chinese arts & crafts; calligraphy ink, brushes & paper, origami paper, teaching packs etc. Chinese Arts Centre has also commissioned its own range of branded merchandise including mugs & pencils
Access for all:
Chinese Arts Centre is committed to making all of our services accessible to everyone. We were very proud to be finalists for the RIBA accessible building of the year in 2004 and want to build upon that. Whilst the building is physically accessible, we are now taking steps to make sure all aspects of our work engages with everyone. We would really appreciate feedback and suggestions on how we might improve.
Currently these are the services we offer:
All talks have a BSL interpreter present on request. Unfortunately we cannot schedule the services of a BSL Interpreter for every pre-programmed event. We must therefore ask that visitors contact Teige Maddrell at info@chinese-arts-centre.org no later than 7 days prior to the scheduled date of the event/s in order to request this service;
We provide exhibition notes in the following formats, large print, Braille and Cantonese;
We aim to provide a safe environment for all. We will accommodate all individuals with access needs;
We have two audio descriptive CD?. One about the centre and the gallery space including the current exhibition, and the other a discussion in response to the art;
The centre has plenty of seating rest areas;
We also offer a meet and greet service to and from your vehicle, just call the centre and a member of staff will be available. We can also meet at the nearest tram stop, which is Shudehill;
There are 2 Disabled Parking bays in front of the building;
We also provide a translation of video installations for visitors who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
If you need further information on any of the above contact us via email or phone at the address shown below. At present we don? have text phone.
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