Tea Journey East China
Green Tea and Oolong
This tea tour takes you to eastern China: to Suzhou, Hangzhou and the Wuyi Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will encounter lively cities and travel to the surrounding hills to witness the production of various traditional green teas and enjoy the unique landscapes. The Wuyi Mountains are known for their extensive national park with its diverse flora and, of course, for the traditional and precious Wuyi Rock teas.
Overview
Suzhou is located in eastern China, near Shanghai, and is the origin of Bi Luo Chun, one of China's most famous green teas. We go to the green tea market and visit Mr Zhen, one of our suppliers.
Yixing, not far from Suzhou, the most famous site for Chinese pottery, known for its dragon kilns. In Yixing, we can watch the skilful production of clay pots, a demanding craft.
Hangzhou in the province of Zhejiang, and nearby Longjing. This is where the dragon fountain tea comes from, which is known and coveted far beyond China's borders. We are welcomed by the Mei family and also visit the local tea museum.
Wuyishan, in Fujian province, is famous for Wuyi Rock Tea, dark, charcoal-roasted oolongs, which also include Da Hong Pao, Rou Gui and Shui Xian. Here we visit the Yu family, tea gardens and a tea factory, as well as a nature park with tea bushes.
- Dates:Tuesday, 8 April - Friday, 18 April 2025
- Price:Trips with 6 to 8 participants 4'865.- CHF per participant (excluding flight)
Travel itinary
Individual journey to Shanghai. Lukas Lange will be happy to help you find suitable flights.
Day 1 | Shanghai - Suzhou
Two hours drive to Suzhou. Suzhou is known as the ‘Venice of the East’ and is the home of Bi Luo Chun, one of China's most famous green teas. Visit to the tea market and a visit to Mr Zheng's tea shop. There you will taste tea for the first time.
Day 2 | Suzhou
Excursion to the tea gardens around Suzhou (journey by minibus: approx. 80 minutes each way). Insight into the production of Bi Luo Chun (green tea). Accompany pickers at work and possibly pick the tea yourself. Back in Suzhou: Visit to the famous gardens of Suzhou and optional visit to the pagoda of the Yunyan Temple or the Silk Museum.
Day 3 | Suzhou – Yixing – Hangzhou
Drive to Yixing (two hours), the home of the famous earthenware jugs. Insight into the production of earthenware jugs. Continue to Hangzhou (approx. 2-3 hours).
Day 4 | Hangzhou
Hangzhou offers an insight into Chinese tea culture in various ways and is the birthplace of Long Jing, the most famous green tea in China. Drive to Long Jing village (early morning, approx. 30 minutes) Breakfast in Long Jing, then hike along countless tea bushes over the Lion Peak to Meijawu village. The hike starts early in the morning to avoid the hot midday sun. The hike takes about 1 hour. In Meijawu: visit the Mei family. The Mei family produces long jing and invites the tour group to watch the production process. We will enjoy lunch together and then taste fresh Long Jing teas. Back in Hangzhou: visit to a temple on a hill in the city with a stunning view.
Day 5 | Hangzhou
Visit to the national tea museum (tour and tasting). Lunch in a nearby restaurant, where some dishes are cooked with tea. Afternoon: Walk along the West Lake and visit a cozy teahouse. There you will again have the opportunity to try different types of tea.
Day 6 | Hangzhou
We will visit a beautiful tea garden and help with the Long Jing production in a wok. Visit of a teahouse on the other bank of the West Lake.
Day 7 | Hangzhou – Wuyishan
Journey to Wuyshan by high-speed train. The journey takes 2 hours and 30 minutes, with all the formalities it takes a little longer. In Wuyishan: visit to the village and first tea tasting in the tea shop of a tea producer we know well.
Day 8 | Wuyishan
Wuyishan is known for the production of Wuyi Rock Tea; the Wuyi Mountains are a Unesco World Heritage Site and offer wonderful landscapes and a rich flora. Early morning: accompany the tea pickers to the tea gardens. At sunrise through breathtaking scenery. Breakfast is enjoyed in the tea gardens. Accompanying the pickers at work and possibly picking the tea by hand. Back in the village: visit to Mrs Yu, a tea producer. Mrs Yu shows the tour group how a traditional oolong is processed.
Day 9 | Wuyishan
Visit to the extensive national park near Wuyishan. Special feature: beautiful landscape, many tea gardens and a path lined with different varieties of tea plants. After dinner: Visit to an extraordinary artist who is reviving the ancient art of making pictures from tea.
Day 10 | Wuyishan
Extensive tour of the village and its tea shops and teahouses, followed by a visit to a nice restaurant as an early end celebration to the journey.
Day 11 | Wuyishan
We visit a tea factory where we see how the oolong is processed. In the evening we travel to Shanghai. The tea trip ends here and everyone travels home or onwards individually. Travelling south can also be done directly from Wuyishan.
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Timings
The journey schedule and times given are approximate, especially in traffic it can be shorter or longer.
Tea
Tea is a natural product and harvest times can vary. We therefore reserve the right to adjust the program at short notice if necessary. For example, it would be possible to completely swap the program on day 2 and day 3.
Further information
Prices for larger and smaller groups on request.
Price calculated per person in a double room as at 2024. Prices may change from year to year due to the economic situation in the countries concerned.
Included in the price are:
Transport costs from Shanghai airport
4-star hotels, 10 nights, based on double room
Meals
Translation by our interpreter
Guided tour by Lukas Lange
Administration
Preparatory evening and tea
Single room surcharge: CHF 500.-
Flight to China and back can be booked by Lukas Lange according to individual wishes.
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