New Tea Events in the Tea Garden – Observing the Diversified Development of the Tea Industry
Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, April 3
The tea garden is flourishing with greenery as spring arrives. Xinhua News Agency reporters recently visited various provinces including Chongqing, Henan, Anhui, Yunnan, and found that tea gardens are increasingly becoming popular outing destinations for tourists. People are buying creative tea products, immersing themselves in novel tea-tasting experiences, and enjoying immersive activities. The tea culture and new tea events in these gardens are driving the diversified development of the tea industry.
Integration of Tea and Tourism: Tea Gardens transforming into Parks
As the spring tea leaves are picked, it is also the perfect time for outings. In the Wenxin Tea Garden located in Xuhe District, Xinyang City, Henan Province, visitors can witness the lively spring tea gardens where tea farmers are picking fragrant young leaves while tourists capture the beauty of the scene.
Chairman of Xinyang Wenxin Tea Co., Ltd., Liu Wenxin, mentioned that the integrated development of tea and tourism is crucial for enhancing the company’s brand value. Last year, the number of visitors to the Wenxin Tea Garden reached around 300,000, and it is expected to surpass 500,000 this year.
Tea gardens are transitioning into parks, and tea areas are transforming into scenic spots. In Nannuoshan Village, Gelanghe Hani Township, Menghai County, Yunnan Province, the local area is organizing sightseeing tours and study tours themed around tea, leveraging the scenic beauty and rich Hani customs to drive rural development and increase farmers’ income.
In Chongqing’s Yongchuan District, tea-themed brand festivals such as the Tea Tourism Culture Festival and the Tea Fighting Conference are being held to attract consumers into the tea gardens. Similarly, Jinzhai County, Lu’an City, Anhui Province has established the Lu’an West Tea Valley theme park and is promoting various tea garden tourism activities.
Diversified and Cross-Border: The Rise of “Tea Industry +”
Tea is not just a leaf or a sip of fragrance, but it can also be transformed into innovative products to create diverse consumption scenarios. Various regions are exploring the development of “tea industry +” formats, leading to the release of more development potential within the tea industry.
In Chongqing’s Yongchuan, tea derivatives like new tea drinks, tea foods, tea daily chemicals, and tea functional products are continuously being developed, showcasing the versatility of tea resources. Besides, in Xinyang City, Yang Jing, a municipal tea art intangible cultural heritage inheritor, is integrating tea product innovation with the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, offering unique experiences for visitors.
Protecting Inheritance: Promoting Tea Culture
In Wulong District, Chongqing, the Baima Tea Base is conducting tea culture research activities, including initiatives targeted towards children to educate them about tea picking, tea making, and pottery. Similarly, Qimen, Anhui, and Menghai, Yunnan, are making efforts to protect, inherit, and develop tea culture through various innovative projects and festivals.
According to Guo Guiyi, a professor at the Tea College of Xinyang Agriculture and Forestry College, protecting tea cultural sites and ecosystems while promoting the integrated development of tea history, beauty, and techniques is key to maximizing the benefits derived from tea culture.
As these tea gardens continue to attract tourists and elevate the tea industry, the future seems promising for the diverse and flourishing tea sector.