Nestled in southeastern China, Wuyi Mountain is a hidden gem recognized as both a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site. Known as a “Sacred Land of Tea,” “Natural Oxygen Bar,” and the “Key to Unlocking the Genetic Library of Species,” it boasts unique Danxia landforms—red sandstone cliffs, steep peaks, and winding valleys sculpted by millions of years of erosion. These Danxia landforms have nurtured the finest tea plants, producing teas of rich and complex flavor. Wuyi Mountain is a sacred destination for tea lovers in China and across the world.
Wuyi Mountain is not only a renowned scenic destination but also one of China’s premier tea-producing regions. It is the birthplace of world-famous black teas and rock teas, including the highest-grade black tea, Jin Jun Mei, the world’s first black tea Zhengshan Xiaozhong, and the celebrated rock tea Da Hong Pao, famous for its mineral aroma and floral notes.
To better protect the natural environment, the Tongmuguan Nature Reserve is not open to the general public and is accessible only to local villagers and staff. However, during this trip, participants will have the rare opportunity to enter the Tongmuguan Nature Reserve, explore this extraordinary land, experience the beauty of Chinese landscapes, and learn professional Chinese tea knowledge from tea tasting experts and instructors of Zhengshantang, the leading Chinese black tea enterprise.
This tea journey offers unique experiences beyond sightseeing and enjoying local cuisine and culture in Wuyi Mountain:
Explore the Tongmuguan Nature Reserve, normally closed to the public, to visit the birthplace of black tea.
Visit Zheng Shan Tang, the most renowned Chinese black tea enterprise and developer of the highest-grade black tea Jin Jun Mei, including: a tour of their factory, hands-on tea production experience, professional black tea and rock tea tasting and evaluation under the guidance of expert tea tasters.
Participate in professional Chinese tea culture and brewing training at a tea classroom in Xiamen.
Learn Song Dynasty-style tea whisking (Dian Cha) and traditional tea “latte art” (Cha Bai Xi), with the opportunity to wear Song Dynasty attire for photos taken by photographer .
Obtain certificates in Chinese black tea and Wuyi rock tea studies.
ITINERARY
Day 1: September 17 — Arrival & Xiamen Sightseeing
Gather in Xiamen, nearest international airport near Wuyi Mountain. (Airpot pick-up is available)
Lunch: Local cuisine
Afternoon: Gulangyu Island and pedestrian street (guided by an experienced director to ensure no one falls behind)
Dinner: Local cuisine
Accommodation: Hotel near tea classroom. Early rest recommended due to jet lag.
Day 2: September 18 — Tea Classroom: Fundamentals & Practice
Morning: Tea culture basics, history of tea, tasting of six major tea types
Lunch: Local cuisine
Afternoon: Gaiwan tea ceremony practice
Dinner: Local cuisine
Day 3: September 19 — Song Dynasty Tea Ceremony Experience
The Song Dynasty (960-1279) was an important era for Chinese tea. Tea became popular among all levels of society, from the emperor to ordinary people. The culture, art and aesthetics of tea reached their peak, exerting significant influence on neighboring countries, especially Japan.
Morning: Song-style tea ceremony study (including prefessional photography, makeup, hairstyle and rental of Hanfu, traditional Chinese clothes). Learn about the Song tea tradition and its influence on Japanese tea culture. Includes traditional tea “latte art” in Song Dynasty （See pictures below）
Lunch: Local cuisine
Afternoon: Travel to Wuyi Mountain via high-speed train (3 hours) with station transfer
Accommodation: Yutopia Wuyi Mountain Resort, a Song Dynasty-style garden hotel, one of Wuyi Mountain’s most distinctive hotels. (See pictures below)
Day 4: September 20 — Black Tea Professional Study
Morning: Zheng Shan Tang headquarters — watch vedio, learn black tea knowledge, guided tasting and evaluation of 10 black tea by tea tasting master (tea samples include most famous black tea of Jin Jun Mei, Feizi Xiao, Zhengshan Xiaozhong)
Lunch: At Zheng Shang Tang headquarters
Afternoon: the group enjoys tea. Also tea ceremony practice and tasting exchange
Dinner: At Zheng Shang Tang headquarters
Day 5: September 21 — Tongmuguan Nature Reserve
Morning: Entry into Tongmuguan Nature Reserve (passport registration required, because this area is not open to the public), visit the Black Tea Museum
Lunch: Local Tongmuguan specialty dishes
Afternoon: Visit Tongmuguan mountain pass, tea processing workshops, exit the reserve
Dinner: Wuyi Mountain specialties
Evening: Attend “Impression Da Hong Pao” large-scale live performance by established director Zhang Yimou. (tickets included)
Day 6: September 22 — Rock Tea Professional Study
Morning: Visit Zheng Shan Tang rock tea Yanyu headquarters, professional rock tea tasting, and learning of rock tea knowledge
Lunch: Wuyi Mountain specialties
Afternoon: sightseeing in Wuyi Mountain. Climb Tianyou Peak, Wuyi Mountain’s top scenic viewpoint, and visit Wuyi Jing She (tickets included)
Dinner: Wuyi Mountain specialties
Day 7: September 23 — Wuyi Mountain National Park and rock tea plantation (tickets included)
Morning: Bamboo rafting on the Nine-Bend River (tickets included), admire Danxia landforms and scenic streams and waterfalls
Visit Wuyi Jing She, Wuyi Palace, and Song Dynasty Street
Lunch: Wuyi Mountain specialties
Afternoon: Visit Tianxin Yongle Chan Temple, core rock tea production area (Three Pits & Two Streams), and Da Hong Pao mother tree (tickets included)
Dinner: Wuyi Mountain specialties
Day 8: September 24 — Tea Processing Experience
Morning: Visit other tea enterprises (specific companies to be determined)
Lunch: Wuyi Mountain specialties
Afternoon: Guided tea processing experience, learn about tea plant varieties
Dinner: Wuyi Mountain specialties
Day 9: September 25 — Graduation & Departure
Morning: visit a local teahouse
Lunch: At Zheng Shan Tang headquarters
Afternoon: Ceremony for awarding “Black Tea & Rock Tea Tasting Certificate” and souvenirs (photographs included), flight to Xiamen (this one-way flight ticket is included)
Evening: Xiamen departure to Vancouver, Canada. Or visit other parts of China.
Additional Notes
Clothing: Participants receive a comfortable tea uniform. A size chart will be provided for proper fitting.
Group Size: 10–15 participants, accompanied by an English-speaking guide
Included in Price: All scenic area tickets, bamboo rafting, performances, meals, accommodations, guide and translation fees, high-speed train, Wuyi Mountain to Xiamen train and flight, Song Dynasty tea ceremony (makeup, Hanfu, professional photography), lessons fee and tasting experiences fee.
Excluded: International flights (self-arranged; optional extended stay in China)
Special Notes:
Passport registration required for Tongmuguan Nature Reserve entry
Notify organizers of any food allergies in advance
The itinerary may be adjusted forward or backward depending on weather conditions
