Exhibits at the Jinshang Tea Firms Museum show how tea products were transported centuries ago. [Photo by Zhang Jiong for China Daily]

In recent years, Shanxi authorities have attached great importance to the development of the herbal tea industry. They aim to nurture a unique Shanxi herbal tea brand next to China's established brand names like Longjing, Oolong and Rock Tea.

Lou Yangsheng, Party secretary of Shanxi province, directed officials in Qixian to make the county a major driver for the growth of the herbal tea industry in Shanxi by developing the county into a new distribution hub.

Lou made the remarks during a meeting in November 2019, when he was the governor of the province.

With regard to its role as a tea culture tourism destination, Shanxi Culture and Tourism Group will be responsible for new infrastructure and marketing in Qixian.

"We plan to complete a renovation of the ancient town in three years and related branding campaigns will go on at the same time," said Wang Lin, general manager of Shanxi Culture and Tourism Group.

Wang Wenbao, board chairman of the group, said: "Once a tea-trading hub in China, Qixian is witness to a brilliant tea culture in the country."

"As it is turning into a distribution hub of teas and integrating into the Belt and Road Initiative, Qixian will have a new role to play in Shanxi's opening-up," the executive added.

Zhang Yang contributed to this story.

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