Combination of tea, tourism industries drives Kaiyang's development

The morning mist lingers over the tea farms in Kaiyang county, forming a beautiful picture. [Photo/kaiyang.gov.cn]

The integration of the tea and tourism industries has driven the economic growth in Kaiyang county in Guiyang, the capital city of Southwest China's Guizhou province.

At present, land spanning 170,300 mu (11,353.33 hectares) has been developed into tea bases in the county, with nearly 160,000 mu of that area being tea farms that are operating at full capacity.

These tea farms are estimated to generate an annual output of 10,500 metric tons of dry raw tea leaves and have an annual output value of more than 2 billion yuan ($285.31 million).

Tea farms in Kaiyang county are equipped with improved facilities. [Photo/kaiyang.gov.cn]

Over 50 percent of locally produced tea has been sold outside Guizhou province through online marketing channels such as JD and Alibaba. The main sales destinations are Beijing and Shanghai, as well as Sichuan, Guangdong and Fujian provinces.

Additionally, Kaiyang has accelerated the development of local tourism by introducing tea farm sightseeing, tea-making demonstrations and tea culture activities.

With the increase in tourists coming to Kaiyang, over 30,000 local farmers have benefited and their income has increased.

Tourism facilities are set up to boost the integration development of tea and tourism industries. [Photo/kaiyang.gov.cn]