The Tea Road
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
Duration: 1 to 2 weeks
Group size: 8 to12 travelers
Theme: Teas of the Middle Kingdom
Route 1: Hangzhou–Fuding–Wuyishan–Anxi–Fuzhou (white, green & oolong teas)
Route 2: Kunming–Pu’er–Xishuangbanna (black & fermented teas)
Routes Overview
Embark on a pilgrimage through China’s sacred tea mountains, tracing the ancient routes where monks, traders, and farmers perfected the art of the leaf. From the mist-wrapped hills of Hangzhou, through the depths of Fujian, to the terraced peaks of Yunnan, this is a journey into the heart of Chinese tea culture, where each province reveals a new flavour, a new philosophy, and a new rhythm of life.
Walk through bamboo forests, sip from mountain springs, and meet the artisans who keep millennia-old traditions alive. From white and green to oolong, black, and pu’er, discover the full cycle of tea, from bud to brew.
Route 1
Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
Destinations: Hangzhou–Fuding–Wuyishan–Anxi–Fuzhou (white, green & oolong teas)
Travel from Hangzhou’s Longjing tea fields through Fuding, Wuyishan, and Anxi, discovering China’s most iconic teas with hands-on workshops and tastings. Meet master growers, explore ancient tea villages, and dive into jasmine traditions in Fuzhou. The journey ends in Xiamen for week-one travelers, while the continuing group flies on to Kunming to begin the second chapter of the expedition.
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Day 1 – Hangzhou Arrival
Arrive in Hangzhou, the city of misty lakes and tea hills, and settle into your boutique hotel.
Wander along the West Lake promenade, visit historic pagodas, and breathe in the serene atmosphere that inspired poets and painters for centuries.
In the evening, gather for a welcome dinner with your travel family, sampling Zhejiang cuisine and local tea-infused dishes, while receiving an introduction to the journey ahead.
Overnight in Hangzhou.
Day 2 – Hangzhou Tea Villages
Rise early to visit the Longjing tea plantations, where you’ll learn about the history and cultivation of China’s most famous green tea.
Try your hand at plucking tea leaves and participate in a tea-roasting workshop with local farmers.
In the afternoon, explore ancient tea markets and enjoy a private tea tasting session in a centuries-old tea house.
Evening at leisure to stroll the alleys or enjoy a lakeside dinner.
Overnight in Hangzhou.
Day 3 – Travel to Fuding (White Tea Region)
Transfer by high-speed train or private van to Fuding, the birthplace of White Tea.
Check in to our hotel, then visit local tea gardens and artisan workshops to witness traditional plucking, withering, and drying techniques.
Enjoy a tea tasting session highlighting delicate white teas, accompanied by local snacks.
Overnight in Fuding.
Day 4 – Wuyishan (Rock Tea & Taoist Culture)
Travel by private transfer to Wuyishan, home to the famed Wuyi rock teas (Yancha).
Walk along the Nine-Bend River, visit ancient cliff-side tea gardens, and learn about the connection between Taoist philosophy and tea cultivation.
Evening tea tasting and demonstration of gongfu tea ceremony in a local tea house.
Overnight in Wuyishan.
Day 5 – Anxi (Oolong Tea Heartland)
Journey by private transfer to Anxi County, the heart of Tieguanyin oolong tea production.
Visit family-run plantations, pick tea leaves, and participate in a roasting and rolling workshop.
In the afternoon, explore ancient tea villages and engage with local tea masters who will share stories and brewing secrets passed down generations.
Overnight in Anxi.
Day 6 – Fuzhou & Minhou Tea Towns
Travel to Fuzhou, known for its fragrant white teas and jasmine teas.
Tour the local markets, meet master blenders in a centric tea house, and participate in a jasmine tea scenting workshop.
Enjoy a relaxed tea ceremony and local gastronomy in the center of Fuzhou’s Sanfang Qixiang old town.
Overnight in Fuzhou.
Day 7 – Xiamen and Yunnan (End of Line I)
In the morning, take a short train ride to the coastal city of Xiamen (approx. 1 hour).
Explore the city’s colonial heritage, stroll along its charming coastal streets, and discover the unique Min culture. The people of Xiamen and Fujian whose influence has shaped communities across Southeast Asia. Learn about the city’s history as a trading port and its role in regional migration.
Today marks the end of the trip for travellers who joined for just one week who will depart from Xiamen to return home. In the afternoon, those who continue onto the second week, will board a flight to Kunming, Yunnan, marking the start of the second week of your tea expedition.
We’ll gather for a welcome Yunnanese dinner with new members joining the expedition, sharing stories and setting the tone for the adventures ahead.
Overnight in Kunming.
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Wander West Lake and explore Longjing tea villages with hands-on plucking and roasting.
Discover Fuding’s white tea traditions and artisan workshops.
Explore Wuyishan’s rock tea culture, Yancha gardens, and Taoist riverscapes.
Immerse in Anxi’s Tieguanyin production with rolling and roasting workshops.
Learn jasmine scenting in Fuzhou, then end in Xiamen with coastal culture and Min heritage.
Route 2
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Destinations: Kunming–Pu’er–Xishuangbanna (black & fermented teas)
Journey through Yunnan’s highlands, from rice-terraced mountains and ethnic minority villages to the heart of Pu’er teaculture. Continue south into tropical Xishuangbanna, where Dai, Hani, and Jinuo traditions meet lush forests, river life, and ancient tea mountains. Explore hidden plantations, taste rare teas, and soak in jungle landscapes before concluding your journey in Jinghong and Kunming.
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Day 8 – Yunnan Highlands
Today we’ll depart early from Kunming and travel to Yuxi, stopping along the way at Yunnan’s famous rice terraces, an iconic landscape of cascading green steps carved into the mountains.
We’ll explore the terraces on foot, taking in the breathtaking views and learning about the local traditions that have shaped this region for centuries.
In the evening, we’ll stay overnight in a local village inhabited by one of Yunnan’s ethnic minority communities. Here, we’ll enjoy a traditional ethnic dinner, sampling local specialties and learning about their cultural heritage, music, and customs.
Overnight in the ethnic minority village.
Day 8 – Pu’er
Travel by private transfer to Pu’er, famous for its fermented pu’er tea.
Participate in a pu’er tasting session, comparing young and aged varieties, while learning about their unique medicinal and cultural significance.
Spend the afternoon exploring Pu’er Old Town, wandering its historic streets and vibrant central market, where local life comes alive. As night falls, enjoy dinner among the market stalls, sampling regional specialties and savoring the authentic flavors of Yunnan.
Stay overnight in a traditional local courtyard house.
Overnight in Pu’er.
Day 9 – Xishuangbanna (Tropical Teas & Dai Culture)
Travel south to Xishuangbanna, a tropical region at China’s border with Thailand, home to Dai and other ethnic minorities.
We will tour around the local markets, discovering regional crafts, and enjoying the lively atmosphere. For lunch, sample authentic Dai and Thai-influenced cuisine, reflecting the unique cultural fusion of this frontier region.
In the afternoon, we will visit the largest buddhist temple of the town or enjoy time at your tropical resort hotel, soaking in the gardens, pools, and surrounding jungle landscapes.
Overnight in Xishuangbanna.
Day 10 – Yunnan Tea Mountains (Ancient Tea Plantations)
Drive into the Yunnan tea mountains, winding through scenic mountain roads and terraced tea plantations that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Spend the day at one of China’s most hidden tea plantations, where expert artisans will guide you through hands-on techniques for plucking, rolling, roasting, and scenting Yunnan teas.
Visit the region’s ancient Gushu tea trees, some hundreds of years old, and discover the rich history, cultural significance, and medicinal qualities of these legendary teas.
In the afternoon, we’ll drive to a scenic viewpoint near the Laos border, soaking in panoramic landscapes before returning to Xishuangbanna.
Back in town, enjoy a relaxed evening, perhaps with a traditional local massage, followed by a regional dinner to round off the day.
Overnight in Xishuangbanna.
Day 11 – Xishuangbanna (Tropical Culture & Thai Influence)
Spend a full day exploring Xishuangbanna’s tropical hinterlands:
Visit minority villages outside Jinghong, meeting Hani, Jinuo, or Dai communities and experiencing their daily life, crafts, and cuisine.
We will do a rainforest guided trek and canoe or riverboat ride along Mekong tributaries to observe riverside life.
Optional afternoon leisure activities:
Wild Elephant Sanctuary: Visit a safe sanctuary for Asian elephants, learn about conservation efforts, and see elephants in semi-wild conditions.
Canopy Walks / Suspension Bridges: Experience the rainforest from above, walking along bridges in the treetops.
Experience a local Dai massage.
Enjoy a regional dinner with local cultural performance.
Overnight in Xishuangbanna.
Day 12 – Xishuangbanna Culture & Departure
Spend your final morning in Xishuangbanna, fully immersed in its tropical landscapes and Thai-Dai heritage.
Mid morning transfer to Jinghong Gasa airport for your departure back to Kunming.
If time allows, make a final stop in Kunming to stroll through tea markets or savour one last cup of local tea, reflecting on the misty mountains, fragrant leaves, and cultural richness experienced over the past two weeks.
End of expedition.
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Hike Yunnan’s rice terraces and stay in ethnic minority villages.
Taste legendary Pu’er teas, explore historic markets, and stay in a traditional courtyard house.
Experience Xishuangbanna’s tropical culture, Dai cuisine, and vibrant markets.
Visit ancient Gushu tea trees and work with tea masters in hidden mountain plantations.
Explore rainforest villages, river rides, canopy walks, and ethical elephant sanctuaries.
Highlights
Hand-pick and roast your own tea leaves alongside master growers
Visit ancient tea mountains and UNESCO-protected terraced plantations
Private tastings with century-old tea houses and tea masters
Learn the philosophy of Tea & Tao, meditation through brewing
Stay in traditional tea villas among the misty hills
Experience the origins of pu’er, China’s most prized aged tea
Why Join
This journey is for travelers drawn to the art, culture, and rituals of tea, who seek to explore ancient traditions, misty mountains, and hidden villages beyond the usual tourist paths.
From the serene hills of Fuding to the terraced peaks of Yunnan, you’ll taste, touch, and breathe tea at its source and guided by tea masters, discovering a side of China that is timeless, fragrant, and profoundly alive.
Conditions & Pricing
Conditions
What is included:
✅ Accommodation with breakfast
✅ Dinners featuring local cuisine
✅ All local transportation
✅ Expert local guides
✅ Drivers, fuel
✅ Complimentary drinks and snacks
✅ Visa support and assistance
✅ Travel insurance coverage
✅ Dedicated media team
What is NOT included:
❌ International flights
❌ Personal extra meals and expenses
❌ Optional activities
❌ Visa costs (when applicable)
Pricing
Route 1: US$3,500
Route 2: US$3,500
Get 15% discount if you book both routes.
Get in Touch
Got a question about one of our expeditions, or just want to say hi?
We’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re planning your first trip or returning for another adventure, our team is here to help with routes, dates, and details.
Drop us a message below — we’ll get back to you soon!
Things to Know
Every expedition is designed to balance comfort, discovery, and a spirit of adventure. Before you join us, here are a few key details to help you prepare and make the most of your journey — from what to expect on the road to how we travel, stay, and experience each destination.
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Hangzhou
10–18°C — Mild, misty, and often rainy. Cool, damp tea fields and cloudy skies.
Bring: Light jacket, waterproof layer, good walking shoes.Fujian (Wuyi / Fuding / Anxi)
12–22°C — Warm, humid, with clouds and light rain; cooler in higher mountains.
Bring: Breathable layers, rain shell, anti-slip shoes.Yunnan
Lowlands (Xishuangbanna): 18–28°C — Warm, mostly dry, sunny afternoons.
Highlands (Pu’er / Lincang): 12–22°C — Mild days, cool nights, dawn mist.
Bring: Sun protection, light layers, warmer evening layer.
Overall: Mild to warm spring weather, cool mornings, and occasional rain.
East = wetter and mistier. Yunnan = warmer, sunnier, drier.
Essentials: Layers + light rain gear. -
We use a mix of high-speed trains, private vans, and one overnight Arctic train, offering a true overland experience through China’s winter heartland. It’s a comfortable and scenic way to witness the country’s vast diversity.
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You’ll stay in a mix of boutique hotels, cozy mountain lodges, and warm wooden guesthouses — all handpicked for charm, comfort, and atmosphere. Expect heated rooms, local character, and authentic northern hospitality.
From remote mountain trails to cultural hidden gems, we design seamless, small-group adventures that combine exploration, and authentic local experiences.
Explore 11 Expeditions in China with Shambhala
January
Northeast China
Late March
The Tea Route
April
Ethnic China
May
Wild West I
Late June
Duku Highway
July
Mongol Crusades
August
Wild West II
September
Western Tibet
October
Trans- Taklamakan
November
Silk Road Frontier
All Year Long
China Digital Economy
Bespoke Expeditions
Create your own adventure — from private trips to company retreats, we’ll tailor everything to you.