Dear Travelers,
China warmly welcomes you with a brand-new, open attitude! At this moment, a series of friendly and convenient 30-day visa-free policies have officially been implemented, offering you an effortless gateway to explore China.
Come along, friends! If you enjoy drinking Chinese tea or wish to delve into the rich culture of Chinese tea, pack your bags and join the International Tea Industry Development Association. Let’s embark on an enchanting tea journey, uncovering the mysteries of China through the lens of tea culture!
China is the homeland of tea.
China is the first country in the world to discover and use tea, with a history of over 4,000 years.
The world’s earliest monograph on tea, *The Book of Tea*（Cha JIng）, was written more than 1,300 years ago by Lu Yu during the Tang Dynasty.
China was the first country to spread tea plants and tea-drinking culture to the world, reaching places such as Japan, Indonesia, and India. It wasn’t until the 15th century, during the Age of Exploration, that tea was brought to Europe.
China has the richest tea plant resources globally, with more than 350 tea plant varieties and over 1,000 types of tea.
China is also the country with the largest tea plantation area in the world. With more than 16 million mu (approximately 1.07 million hectares) of tea gardens nationwide, China accounts for about half of the world’s total tea plantation area.
Sichuan, with its lush tea gardens stretching endlessly like a green ocean. From Mount Emei to Mount Mengding, mist-shrouded areas serve as the natural home of tea trees. In 2025, we sincerely invite you to join the exclusive customized tea cultural tourism organized by the International Tea Industry Development Association. Retrace the Sichuan-Tibet Ancient Tea-Horse Road, experience the challenges faced by ancient tea caravans, and immerse yourself in its unique cultural charm.
I. Strength of the Association
Since its establishment, the International Tea Industry Development Association has united forces from across the global tea industry, striving to advance the global tea sector. Over time, the association has built a comprehensive and diversified resource network, equipped with top-tier tea experts and systematic course offerings. Leveraging its resources, the association has frequently led domestic and international teams on tea-themed study tours and organized high-level events, earning extensive experience and an excellent reputation.
In addition to regular routes, the association’s strong planning capabilities enable it to tailor customized tea cultural tours to suit your individual needs. Whether you are a researcher eager to deeply explore tea culture, a business partner seeking premium tea resources, or a leisure traveler with specific scheduling preferences, the association can meet your learning, resource, and timing needs.
This study tour will be led by experts, guiding you through the entire route from Chengdu → Leshan → Ya’an → Meishan. Along the way, you will enjoy Sichuan’s natural beauty while experiencing the historical essence of the Sichuan-Tibet Ancient Tea-Horse Road.
II.Study Tour Highlights
Experience the distinctive tea house culture of Sichuan.
Attend expert-led sessions to study, brew, and taste Sichuan’s famous teas, including:
Black Tea: Ya’an Tibetan Tea
Green Tea: Mengding Ganlu
Yellow Tea: Mengding Huangya
Red Tea: Chunshan Jihong
Scented Tea: Bitan Piaoxue
Specialty Tea: Insect Tea
Visit core tea-producing areas under expert guidance, personally pick tea leaves, and participate in the entire process of harvesting, production, and packaging.
Follow experienced tea artisans into tea workshops to explore tea’s history, development, and master its exquisite tea-making techniques.
Engage in face-to-face exchanges with expert instructors to resolve all your questions.
Visit historical sites and museums to experience historical remnants and understand the profound cultural heritage.
Retrace the Sichuan-Tibet Ancient Tea-Horse Road and gain insights into its history and significance.
Savor regional specialties throughout the journey, enjoy unique landscapes, and immerse yourself in local cultural customs.
Optionally visit giant pandas and observe their adorable and charming demeanor.
III. Study Tour Itinerary
First Stop: Chengdu
Visit Daci Temple, a grand and historic site known as the “First Forest of China.” Experience Sichuan’s Zen tea culture. Explore Chengdu’s tea house culture, including traditional tea-making tools like Gaiwan (covered bowl) and Tiliang pot (lifted teapot). Enjoy performances such as Sichuan opera face-changing. Optionally, participate in activities such as Chengdu lacquer art and bamboo weaving, both recognized as national intangible cultural heritage.
Second Stop: Mount Emei
Explore Mount Emei, one of China’s four sacred Buddhist mountains, and learn about its rich history and tea culture. Experts from the International Tea Industry Development Association will introduce renowned teas like Zhuyeqing, Emei Snow Bud, Bitan Piaoxue, and Insect Tea. Engage in tea-making workshops and participate in tea-tasting exchanges.
Third Stop: Ya’an
Visit Mount Mengding, honored as the “World’s Sacred Tea Mountain,” the birthplace of global tea culture, and the starting point of the Sichuan-Tibet Ancient Tea-Horse Road. We will tour Mount Mengding together, visit its tea garden areas, learn about the long-standing tea culture and rich Zen tea traditions of Mount Mengding, engage in Zen tea cultural exchanges, and observe the Mengding Tea School’s technique, “Dragon Moves in 18 Styles.”
Retrace the Ancient Tea-Horse Road, visit the Tea History Museum of Mount Mengding, and experience the hardships faced by ancient tea caravans while gaining deeper insights into Mount Mengding’s unique tea culture.
Ya’an Tibetan Tea and Mengding Ganlu are part of the first batch of intangible cultural heritage items. Experts from the International Tea Industry Development Association will guide the team to visit the Ya’an Tea Factory Museum and the Tibetan Tea Craft Heritage Center. Participants will learn about Ya’an Tibetan Tea (Border Tea), Mengding Ganlu, and Mengding Huangya, and experience the process of making Ya’an Tibetan Tea.
Zhougong Mountain, historically known as “Cai Mountain,” stands opposite Mount Mengding, the birthplace of global tea culture. Both produce high-quality teas, including tribute teas and Border Tea, which complement each other. The team will visit the Zhougong Mountain tea plantation to experience the local tea gardens. They will also visit the Lichen Tea Industry’s Mount Mengding authenticity preservation base, participate in tea-making techniques at Yuwang Palace, and taste teas such as Mengding Ganlu, Mengding Huangya, Mengding Shihua, and Chunshan Jihong.
Finally, you may choose to visit the Bifengxia Base to observe giant pandas.
Additionally, throughout the journey, we will savor various specialty cuisines from Sichuan, allowing team members to gain a deeper and more comprehensive appreciation of Sichuan’s unique characteristics.
IV.Expert Guidance
The International Tea Industry Development Association has assembled a top-tier expert team, with members with over 30 years of experience in the tea industry. This includes tea research experts, university professors, and other professionals from key fields.
Each study tour team will be accompanied by one to two expert professors from the International Tea Industry Development Association. With their profound expertise and extensive experience, these experts will provide accessible yet in-depth teachings on the rich tea culture of the Sichuan-Tibet Ancient Tea-Horse Road throughout the journey.
V.Time and Pricing
The time and pricing for the customized tea cultural tour can be tailored to the team’s specific needs.
A deposit of $500 per person is required, which will be deducted from the total cost once the tour begins.
VI.How to Register：
Scan the QR code below to register:
Click on the link below to sign up：
https://www.wjx.cn/vm/OO4Hvgk.aspx#
Send your team’s size and customization needs to the association’s email:
VII.Reminder
1. Teams booking private customized tea cultural tours must register at least two months in advance and communicate their requirements to the assistant. The association will customize the itinerary promptly.
2. Meal and accommodation standards can be tailored to specific needs. If no special requirements are stated, accommodation will follow a five-star hotel standard.
3. Transportation: Teams have to reach the starting point of the tour independently. From the arrival of international teams in China or teams from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan in mainland China, the International Tea Industry Development Association will provide full reception services until departure. On-tour transportation can be customized; otherwise, a unified bus will be arranged.
4. Mainland Chinese tourists must carry their ID cards throughout the journey. Travellers from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan need their travel permits, while international tourists must carry passports.
5. The customization fee includes accommodation, meals, on-tour transportation, travel insurance, and service fees.
6. Each participant will receive a thoughtfully prepared customized tea gift from the International Tea Industry Development Association.
7. Refund policy:
– Cancellation 30 days or more before departure: 80% refund
– Cancellation 15-29 days before departure: 50% refund
– Cancellation 7-14 days before departure: 30% refund
– Cancellation 1-6 days before departure: 10% refund
