Abstract: In modern times, dramatic changes have occurred in the society and economy of Shanghai, the existing social order is unsustainable, forcing social groups to make the necessary response to address the complex and changeable economic environment. The activities of the Huizhou tea merchants in Shanghai are thriving because of Huizhou tea exports, forming the characteristics of providing services of exports together with domestic sales. Sheltering themselves in the fast developing and changing Shanghai society, the Huizhou tea merchants begin to change their business model from the traditional into the modern; during the change, the traditional factors are still playing an important role. The interaction between the traditional factors and the modern factors has won achievement for the Huizhou tea merchants. The continual and large-scale development of Huizhou tea merchants in Shanghai tea markets has confirmed the effectiveness of this change.

Key words: Huizhou tea merchants; modernization; model of production and business