On August 8th, Enshi Lanbei Tea Industry Co., Ltd. received a certificate of selection from National Geographic China & Guocha Geography, confirming that Hubei Enshi Lanbei Yulü Taohuayuan met the requirements for “China's Most Beautiful Tea Mountains” for 2024 and was honored with a spot on the 2024 annual list.
An aerial view of Hubei Enshi Lanbei Yulü Taohuayuan (photographed by Xue Hao, Enshi Image Library)
Why was Lanbei Yulü Taohuayuan selected? What unique charm does it possess? And what is the significance of being included in “China's Most Beautiful Tea Mountains”? With these questions in mind, the reporter walked through the Taohuayuan to uncover the answers.
Guided by the principles of the “Two Mountains Theory” and the “Three Teas Integration,” Lanbei Yulü Taohuayuan has been committed to exploring the beauty of ecological diversity in tea mountains, promoting tea mountain tourism, revitalizing tea villages, and advancing tea area study tours, contributing to the dissemination of Chinese Tea culture and the sustainable development of the tea industry.
Hubei Enshi Lanbei Yulü Taohuayuan in spring, with peach blossoms in bloom (photographed by Xue Hao, Enshi Image Library)
The “China's Most Beautiful Tea Mountain” Hidden Deep in the Mountains
Starting from the city center, vehicles travel along winding mountain roads, reaching this 600-acre “paradise” in just 40 minutes. Nestled in the embrace of Dabao Ping Village in Baiyangping Town, Enshi City, Lanbei Yulü Taohuayuan is a hidden gem.
Looking into the distance, six small peaks are scattered harmoniously, while over 2,000 Osmanthus trees and more than 1,000 peach trees weave together a picturesque scene that changes with the seasons. In spring, the peach blossoms are delicate and pink, while in autumn, the garden is filled with the fragrance of osmanthus flowers. Walking paths wind their way through the scenery.
Wandering through Lanbei Yulü Taohuayuan feels like stepping into a moving landscape painting. Amidst the mist, the silhouettes of tea plants and osmanthus trees appear and disappear, the fresh scent of nature fills the air, and one's spirit is refreshed.
Sworn bearer of intangible cultural heritage, Jiang Zixiang, carries on the ancient craft of making Enshi Yulü tea. Each leaf contains the heart and wisdom of the craftsman. Talking about tea, Jiang Zixiang speaks with enthusiasm about cultivation, production, and branding.
From the ancient-style Lanbei Pavilion to the wooden cabins and the Seifei Pavilion under the stars, every detail reflects respect for and continuation of traditional culture, allowing visitors to savor the aroma of tea while also experiencing a cleansing of the soul and inner peace.
The camera in the tea mountain rotates slowly as Jiang Zixiang observes the growth of tea leaves on the surveillance screen. “Our philosophy is ‘minimal human interference,'” he says. The round-the-clock monitoring system aligns with organic growth patterns. Meanwhile, Lanbei Yulü Taohuayuan's 665-acre tea plantation has earned organic certification in China.
The inclusion of Lanbei Yulü Taohuayuan in the “China's Most Beautiful Tea Mountains” recommended list for 2024 is not only recognition of its beautiful scenery but also an important step forward as a new representative of Chinese Tea mountains on the global stage. This honor will help promote the Lanbei Yulü brand in the global market.
A study tour group visits the Taohuayuan (photographed by Xue Hao, Enshi Image Library)
Children learning traditional handcrafted tea-making techniques (photographed by Xue Hao, Enshi Image Library)
Displaying the Ecological Beauty and Cultural Charm of Tea Mountains
Is the beauty of tea mountains subjective? Not according to the experts.
One month ago, on July 18th, the evaluation team from National Geographic China & Guocha Geography visited the Taohuayuan tea plantation to conduct a field investigation aimed at exploring and assessing the natural beauty, cultural essence, and industrial landscape of high-quality tea-producing regions in China.
The evaluation team traversed the verdant tea mountains, carefully examining the ecological environment of the tea areas and giving high praise to the natural endowments of Lanbei Yulü Taohuayuan's tea plantation.
While gaining a deep understanding of the unique production techniques and quality control systems of Lanbei Yulü tea, the evaluation team members also engaged in conversations with local tea farmers around a warm hearth. “The selection process for ‘China's Most Beautiful Tea Mountains' is multi-dimensional, involving expert evaluations, media reviews, self-assessment, public opinion, and comprehensive scoring with public disclosure. Every tea mountain listed represents the outstanding achievements of tea-producing regions across China,” said Xia Meng, head of the evaluation team.
In addition, the evaluation team paid special attention to the harmonious coexistence and coordinated development between tea fields, tea villages, and the tea industry. Through visits to villages surrounding the tea plantations, the evaluation team witnessed how the tea industry had become a strong driver of local economic development, promoted social harmony and cultural prosperity, and brought about significant changes in the lives of tea farmers.
Furthermore, the innovative approach to brand building, market expansion, and technological innovation of Lanbei Enshi Yulü Tea Industry earned high praise from the evaluation team.
Notably, “China's Most Beautiful Tea Mountains,” as a dedicated tea mountain cultural tourism IP empowerment project created by Guocha Geography, relies on the authoritative media platform of National Geographic China to explore and showcase the ecological beauty and cultural charm of Chinese tea mountains.
This project aims to tell contemporary tea mountain stories in China, create new tea culture experience scenarios, and drive the rise of tea mountain tourism, revitalization of tea village economies, and the flourishing of tea area study tours.
The selection process for the “China's Most Beautiful Tea Mountains” list, which includes field investigations, expert recommendations, public participation, and online nominations and evaluations, helps promote the Enshi Lanbei brand in the broader market.
The evaluation team from National Geographic China & Guocha Geography conducts a field investigation (photographed by Zeng Weiming, full media journalist)
Promoting the Flourishing of Tea Area Study Tours
The integration of tea and tourism has become a new business model for the Taohuayuan.
On July 27th, Lanbei Yulü Taohuayuan hosted a study tour event, coinciding with educational travel activities organized by Sanzhibear Education Travel and Beijiulong Education Travel.
Guided by interpreters, children wore straw hats and carried tea baskets, experiencing the joy of picking tea on the Taohuayuan tea mountain. The secrets of traditional handcrafted techniques were gradually revealed, and the ancient charm of Enshi Yulü unfolded before them.
The children creatively combined the complex techniques of making Enshi Yulü with everyday life, turning “double kneading” into a fun game of “wiping tables” and “hand rolling” into a daily activity of “rolling noodles.” They made the living inheritance of intangible cultural heritage lively and interesting, filled with innocence and wisdom.
Lanbei tea tourism is a unique form of travel that combines tea culture with tourist experiences. It relies on the tea plantations, production facilities, and cultural experience halls of Lanbei Tea Industry