Foreign tea enthusiasts from Argentina, the United States, Bolivia, Switzerland and other countries recently experienced tea picking and traditional tea-making in Qimen, Anhui province, immersing themselves in China's intangible cultural heritage on April 6.
During the three-day tour, the visitors strolled through high-altitude ecological tea gardens in Luxi villiage, Qimen. Guided by local farmers, they carried bamboo baskets and learned to pluck tender tea shoots, gradually mastering the art of picking and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of tea farming.
Foreign tea lovers enjoy picking tea in Qimen's lush tea garden.
They then visited a tea workshop to observe and took part in the traditional hand-made process of Qimen An tea, including fixation, rolling and drying. Dai Haizhong, a municipal-level inheritor of the tea-making technique, guided participants and explained the importance of heat control and hand movements.
Foreign visitors learn traditional tea-making techniques from an inheritor in Qimen.
Participants praised the exquisite craftsmanship and rich culture behind each cup of tea. Mariana from Bolivia said she would share the stories of An tea and Chinese tea culture with people in her home country.
Luxi is a key production area for An tea, whose crafting technique is recognized as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage. Local organizers plan to launch more cultural experience activities to promote An tea and share Chinese tea culture with the world.