Many international tea lovers are seeking a professional tour to discover the essence of China's tea culture, so we come up with this well-crafted China tea tour. You will be escorted to the nation's top tea growing areas, tasting famous Chinese teas, meeting tea producers and learning their processing methods including picking and production. Furthermore, natural and cultural attractions will ensure you a delightful China experience of tea.
Detailed Itinerary
1Arrival in Shanghai (No Meal)
Arrive in Shanghai, be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Visit the Bund, a symbol of Shanghai and an epitome of Shanghai's modern history, where the past and the future meet with the colonial style buildings of the Bund facing the new futuristic buildings of Pudong. Then stroll at Nanjing Road, which is the one of the world's busiest shopping streets in the world.
2Shanghai (B, L)
In the morning, lead you to Yu Yuan Garden in the downtown area. It was inaugurated in the Ming Dynasty and has a total area of 20,000 square meters. As a paragon of the south Chinese landscaping style, it is a must-seeing sight in Shanghai. Then go to Shanghai History Museum to take a look at Shanghai's history and culture. Later, drive to visit a nearby water town Qibao ancient town, where you can see the traditional lifestyle of Yangtze Delta.
3Shanghai - Hangzhou (B, L)
Take an express train to Hangzhou, be met and transfer to Boat at West Lake. It is located in the south-west of Hangzhou. With its beautiful lakes, mountains and many attractions, it has become the world-famous tourist destination and is known as the "paradise on earth". Then visit Lingyin Temple -- one of the ten most famous ancient Buddhist monasteries in China. Next to the temple, go to the Feilai Peak, 209 meters (about 700 feet) tall, is a pure limestone mountain that is very distinctive from the sandstone mountain around it.
4Hangzhou - Wuyishan (B, L)
Visit the Chinese Tea Museum. It is located in Longjing (Dragon Well) Village, west of charming West Lake, and covers an area of 22,000 square meters (about 5.4 acres) with a 3500 square meter (about 0.9 acres) construction area. Then visit a tea farm, pick tea (an hour), and see frying tea process there. Take an afternoon train to the "Natural Arboretum", Wuyishan. Arrive around midnight, be met and transferred to hotel.
5Wuyishan (B, L, D)
Go to Royal Tea Garden and learn about the history of Oolong Tea - a half-fermented tea which offers a flavor between green and black tea. And then visit a tea valley to taste fresh tea and impress yourself by the tea culture there. In the Afternoon, you will visit a tea factory to see the whole process of producing Oolong tea.
6Wuyishan (B, L, D)
Water Curtain Cave comes first of today's plan. It is the largest rock cavern in Wuyi Mountain of 100 meters high and wide. It is very spacious and bright inside. Then go to a tea farmer's house to taste special wild mushroom tea to have an enjoyable afternoon.
7Wuyishan - Xiamen (B, L, D)
Visit the tea Professional School and learn about making tea and some tea culture. In the afternoon, rafting in Jiuqu Stream is planned. It would be a wonderful experience to drift down this river on a bamboo raft through the whole 9 twists and 18 bends. Each bend has its own unique landscape with fantastic views of the unspoilt scenery. Transfer to take an overnight train to Xiamen at soft sleep class (12.5 hours).
8Xiamen (B, L, D)
Arrival in Xiamen in the morning, be picked up at the train station and transferred to the hotel for quick refreshment. Drive to Nanjing to visit Tianluokeng Earth Towers (Tulou), Yuchang Earth Tower, and Taxia Village. Hakkas developed this unique kind of architectural building, which is a traditional communal residence in the Fujian province of Southern China.
9Xiamen - Chaozhou (B, L, D)
After breakfast, visit Gulangyu Island including Shuzhuang Garden and Crag of Sunlight. Gulangyu Island is celebrated as "Garden on the Sea", where you can join the locals to have a relaxing, healthy and placid lifestyle. After lunch, transfer to take a speed train to Chaozhou (1.5 hours). Visit Huanggong Family Shrine, which was built in 1887, this 550sqm complex features exquisite architecture and wood work decoration.
10Chaozhou - Phoenix Mountain - Chaozhou (B, L)
Today you head for the Phoenix Mountain (some 60km away). First you will pass by the Phoenix Town which has hundreds of tea trading shops. Walk along the small street and see the bustling market. Then head up mountain along the 108 bends road. Visit the local tea maker’s house with their machines. Sample the tea. Drive up and visit the tea farms on foot for different tea trees. Some of these trees are more than 500yrs old. Your lunch will be served at the tea maker’s house. Drive back to Chaozhou in the late afternoon.
11Chaozhou (B, L, D)
After breakfast, visit a famous tea pot maker’s studio and learn about the special art. Then head for the big porcelain market featuring more tea pots and ceramic tea sets. Have a walk along the rebuilt Stone Arches Pedestrain street – taste more of the local food. Drive to Longhu village, first built in the Southern Song Dynasty, it is a fine example of Chaozhou’s residential building and family shrines. Later, drive back to see Guangji Bridge built in 1171 AD., which is regarded as one of the most four famous bridges in China, then go to the 1200yr old Kaiyuan Buddhist Temple and try the local famous vegetarian restaurant.
12Chaozhou - Guangzhou (B, L)
After breakfast, you will depart Chaozhou by the high speed train to Guangzhou (3 hours). Transfer to visit Chen Family Temple, Xiguan old Houses and have a walk at Shamian Island. Discover the enchanted old residences, temples and some outstanding colonial buildings and churches with beautiful scenery nesting in the bustling downtown Guangzhou.
13Guangzhou Departure (B)
Transfer to the airport and fly to your next destination.
End of service.
