A gentle breeze brings freshness, and lotuses are in full bloom. Now, Motuo is wreathed in mist and clouds, its Tea mountains a lush green, tier upon tier, like a fairyland.

Following the winding mountain road, we arrive at the Gelin Tea Garden in Kabu Village, Damu Lhoba Ethnic Township. Even before reaching it, the fresh scent of tea and earth fills the air, invigorating our spirits.

“Spring sows a single grain, autumn reaps ten thousand.” This ancient verse aptly describes the birth of the Gelin Tea Factory, much like a seed planted into this fertile land, where 600 mu of tea fields began to nurture new life.

From the moment the tea seeds were planted in the soil, it heralded the beginning of hope and harvest.

Aerial view of the Gelin Tea Garden (Photographed by Guo Demin)

The Tea Path Winding Through the Mountains

Becoming a cup of tea from a single seed involves numerous stages, including planting, sprouting, growth, picking, stir-frying, packaging, and more, all of which require significant time. Transportation is an essential part of this process.

“Previously, there was only a narrow path to the Gelin Tea Garden; during rainy days, it would be muddy, and even on clear days, one could only walk. Sometimes, bringing tools like weeders up the mountain required carrying them on our shoulders, which was extremely inconvenient.”

The winding road leading to the Gelin Tea Garden (Photographed by Guo Demin)

“After the dedicated tea garden road was built with support from the tobacco industry, not only were drainage ditches constructed, but also speed bumps and signposts added, making daily access safer and more convenient. The path to prosperity has become wider and smoother.”

“In the past, when tea merchants came to our garden, they either couldn't find the way or had to leave because vehicles couldn't pass through. Now, it's not only easier for tea purchases, but it's also promoting the development of eco-friendly picking.”

Laying down roads leads to prosperity and connects hearts.

Driving up the wide and clean road to the Gelin Tea Garden, we are surrounded by lush trees and a verdant landscape, as if immersed in a sea of green. As the breeze passes, the tea trees sway gracefully, and sunlight filters through the sparse clouds, casting golden glimmers onto the leaves.

The tea garden road winds along the valley, like a ribbon around the emerald mountains, connecting with the G559 National Highway at the K117 section (also known as the Zhamo Highway). From here, tea is transported to every corner, marking the start of its journey.

“Now that the road has been improved, vehicles can drive directly to the tea field, making it much easier for us to transport our tea,” said villager Sonam Wangmo, her words filled with anticipation for the future.

Aroma of Tea from the Snowy Realm

“Tea fragrance mingles with cloud essence, infusing a fragrant aroma into the bones.”—this is the tea of the mystical Motuo.

Motuo is wreathed in mist and clouds throughout the year, with an average altitude of about 1,200 meters, characterized by “four seasons in a day, different climates every ten miles.” It is a low valley on the roof of the world, an oxygen-rich haven on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with an annual average temperature of approximately 18.4°C and an annual rainfall exceeding 2,330 millimeters. The soil's pH value and mineral composition are highly suitable for tea cultivation.

Therefore, the tea from Motuo has excellent shape and quality, rich in nutrients such as Theanine and polyphenols, with a robust flavor and a rich aroma, capable of enduring multiple infusions.

Under the cloud-covered mountains, the rows of tea trees at the Gelin Tea Garden are arranged in harmony. Tea pickers and visitors move among them, amidst scenes of beauty and fragrance. Occasionally, bird songs and the murmuring waters of the Yarlung Zangbo River add a touch of vitality.

Gentle breezes carry the aroma of tea across the air.

To enjoy the tea, however, it must first be picked and processed. Picking tea requires precision, using the index finger and thumb of the right hand to pluck the tip upward without breaking it directly with the fingers.

Lhoba villagers from Kabu Village picking tea at the Gelin Tea Garden (Photographed by Lu Li)

“For tea pickers, picking tea is a delicate task, avoiding tearing, pulling, twisting, or pinching. Only by picking the freshest tea buds intact can one truly taste the essence of tea from the snowy realm,” says villager Pasang.

The tea factory is bustling with activity and laughter. Lhoba women move nimbly between the tea trees, gently twisting their hands to pluck the tender leaves, which soon fill their baskets with vibrant green.

Freshly picked tea leaves (Photographed by Lu Li)

“This is already the second picking of the year. Thanks to good weather, the tea leaves have grown plump and evenly, with generally better quality than previous years,” says villager Sangye Lhamo, who arrived early from Kabu Village to pick tea, happily telling the author that she sold the freshly picked tea for over 5,000 yuan.

Integration of Tea and Tourism Writes a New Chapter

“Backed by green mountains and facing the Yarlung Zangbo River, each leaf of tea here embodies nature's bounty and carries the dreams and sweat of the entire village.” Villager Dawa stands beside the tea trees, his eyes sparkling with hope for the future.

Tea trees and pine forests complement each other (Photographed by Lu Li)

In 2025, Motuo County established high-quality development incentive policies for the tea industry, continuously optimizing the business environment, providing favorable opportunities for the tea industry.

The Zhamo branch of the Linzhi Tobacco Administration seized these policy opportunities, focusing on Tibetan assistance projects, improving infrastructure, training tea cultivation techniques, and broadening sales channels, transforming the village's tea industry from existence to excellence and strength. Working together with the village leadership, they led the villagers of Kabu Village to explore an ecological complementary development model of “tea + farming + tourism.”

They interplant banana and lemon trees in the tea garden, raising chickens and ducks under the trees. The chickens and ducks eat pests in the garden, and their droppings, after fermentation, provide natural fertilizer for the tea trees, reducing costs while ensuring self-sufficiency in poultry and generating economic benefits.

Here, visitors can admire the scenery, savor the tea aromas, and experience eco-friendly picking during tea-picking season, learning about Tea processing techniques.

“In the past, we mainly grew corn and potatoes, with limited income,” says villager Tashi. “With the tea garden, we started learning tea cultivation and processing techniques, and our lives have improved day by day.” Last year, the Gelin Tea Garden produced over 6,000 kilograms of tea, increasing household incomes by over 10,000 yuan on average.

In May, the tea garden is a sight to behold, with towering banana trees and large leaves swaying gently in the breeze, harmon