A 7-Day "Mystical Tea" Journey in Lincang, Yunnan

Introduce

Embark on a unique adventure along lesser-known paths as the Tea Alliance takes you through the enchanting landscapes of Yunnan. Prepare to be captivated by the breathtaking scenery, including dense forests and rolling sea of clouds, and to immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of local ethnic communities, where the slow pace of life offers a rejuvenating retreat for the soul. Indulge in tea banquets, savor local delicacies like 'Duo Sheng' and Lincang chicken, and, of course, taste the exquisite Pu'er tea from renowned mountains and hidden villages.

 Accompanied by knowledgeable and engaging expert guides, you'll experience a "walking encyclopedia" style of learning right in the tea mountains. Lessons begin with a simple leaf picked from a tea bush, leading to a deep dive into ancient tea-making techniques. You'll have the opportunity to make your own Pu'er tea cake and taste rare and precious teas from famous mountains and secluded groves, all while receiving insights and answers from your guides.

Under the banner of "Tea as the Theme, Enjoying Food and Fun," the China Tea Alliance offers a high-standard, all-inclusive service. Stay in unique and charming hotels, enjoy local cuisine that replenishes your energy, and have a professional photographer capture beautiful moments throughout the journey. Most importantly, you’ll meet like-minded tea enthusiasts, each with interesting stories to share.

Study Tours into the Wilderness

 Upon arriving at Lincang Airport, you'll be greeted by expansive greenery, as Lincang, named after its proximity to the Lancang River, boasts fertile soils and a lush landscape filled with ancient wild tea trees. Starting from the famed Iceland Ancient Tea Garden, we will travel through Xigui, Bangdong, and Jingmai, truly immersing ourselves in the forest and connecting with nature.

The best time for hiking here is from April to May, when the climate is mild, and the mountains are enveloped in greenery. Amidst cascading clouds, dense forests, waterfalls, and streams, you can feel nature's special favor towards Yunnan's Pu'er tea. Encountering ancient tea trees aged 200 to 300 years is not uncommon here, while in other places, trees of just a few decades are considered old.

Guided by expert instructors, you’ll experience the unique "four seasons in one mountain" phenomenon of Lincang’s tea regions. You'll learn how the intricate combination of terrain, vegetation, altitude, water, sunlight, and mist contributes to the diverse flavors of sweetness, wildness, and freshness in the region's teas.

Three Lessons on the Tea Mountains

Every flavor has its origins in the raw materials and craftsmanship behind it. To truly understand tea, one must not only see how it grows in the wild but also experience the journey from leaf to cup. In this tea tour, you'll visit the bustling frontlines of tea production, follow tea masters to learn about the steps that influence the flavor of tea, and even create your own Pu'er tea cake starting from selecting the raw leaves. 

From traversing tea mountains to hands-on tea making, this journey offers a deep dive into the world of Pu'er tea. Through three lessons on the tea mountains, extensive tasting sessions featuring tea samples from famous mountains and secret locations, and the concepts learned in the mountains and tea factories, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of Pu'er tea. 

You'll explore the history of tea, the various tea types and their terroirs, and the process of assessing the quality and processing standards of teas. You'll also experience the rich and varied flavors that emerge as teas age. Only through such an in-depth exploration can one truly appreciate the beauty in a cup of Pu'er tea.

LESSON 1: The Beauty of Hundred Flavors from Famous Mountains and Villages

LESSON 2: Appreciation of Micro-Regions and Secret Locations

LESSON 3: An Introduction to Mid- to Aged Pu'er Teas

Ancient Villages Offer More Than Just Tea

Both the flavors and culture of tea reflect a heritage of millennia. The indigenous peoples of Lincang and Jingmai, including the Blang, Lahu, Wa, and Dai, consider the tea tree to be the "Tree of Life." They have preserved tea-related customs, architecture, and culinary traditions with great care. As early as 180 AD, the ancestor of the Blang people, Pa Ai Leng, led his people to plant tea forests on Jingmai Mountain. It's said that Pa Ai Leng left not gold, silver, or livestock to his people, but rather hills covered in tea trees, instructing them to "cherish the tea trees as they would their own eyes."

Today, visiting these villages, you’ll find ancient tea trees, requiring two or three people to encircle them, growing proudly in front of homes, making it hard to tell whether the village is built in the tea forest or the tea trees are planted within the village. Locals work during the day surrounded by the fragrance of tea and sleep at night with the scent in the air.

Guests are always welcomed with a warm cup of tea, allowing you to experience the slow-paced life of the village. On the last day of the tea journey, we will immerse ourselves in the local minority culture, watching clouds roll by beneath the Dai Golden Pagoda in Jingmai Village, paying respects to the tea ancestor Pa Ai Leng at the Tea Ancestral Temple, and visiting the Heritage Museum built by the last Blang prince. In the evening, we will enjoy a bonfire party, savoring authentic local flavors like ham and papaya chicken, Wa-style chicken porridge, fresh mushrooms, 'Duo Sheng,' pickled meats, and chili paste—each bite a taste of true happiness.