TORONTO, April 27, 2026 – In Fengqing County, Lincang, Yunnan, tea is not only an industry, but also an important link connecting landscape, culture, and lifestyle. In recent years, Fengqing has relied on its Dianhong tea industry foundation to continue advancing a tea-tourism integration path. From traditional tea growing and tea making, it has expanded into long-stay experiences, cultural consumption, and other diversified sectors, exploring a new development model of promoting tourism through tea and revitalizing agriculture through tourism.
Walking into Fengqing, the most visible changes can be seen in the countryside. Tea gardens once focused mainly on production are gradually turning into integrated spaces for sightseeing, hands-on experiences, and leisure. In Anshi Village, known as the “No. 1 Dianhong Village,” tea gardens, orchards, flower gardens, guesthouses, and leisure facilities are woven together. Visitors can pick tea, make tea, and taste tea there, experiencing the full journey from tea leaf to teacup. Supported by improving tourism facilities, the area has developed a diversified range of businesses covering dining, accommodation, and recreation, helping nearby residents find local employment and turning “tea-growing areas into scenic areas, and farmhouses into guest rooms.”
Another more distinctive model has emerged in Jinxiu Village, Xiaowan Town. Drawing on ancient tea tree resources and its industrial base, the area has developed a “business-style long-stay” model. During the spring tea season, tea merchants and tea professionals from around the country stay there for extended periods, taking part in tea production while also conducting industry exchanges, creating a living and working environment connected through tea. This model, different from both traditional tourism and ordinary guesthouse vacations, has gradually turned Jinxiu Village into a new kind of rural space with both industrial functions and lifestyle experience.
On a broader scale, Fengqing is integrating tea culture into its regional tourism system. Lushi Ancient Town, an important stop along the Tea Horse Road, has preserved complete ancient caravan paths and historic streets, becoming an important window through which visitors can understand tea culture and historical exchange. Along the Hundred-Mile Long Lake and the Lancang River, ecological sightseeing and leisure vacations are being developed on the basis of mountain and water scenery. The layering of traditional culture and natural landscapes makes Fengqing’s tourism experience richer and more three-dimensional.
At the same time, a group of new cultural and tourism projects continues to emerge. Daxing Hot Spring Resort, built around natural hot spring resources, combines wellness, family activities, and long-stay functions, becoming a new landmark in the regional tourism sector. Yulong Island, with lure fishing competitions at its core, is helping drive sports tourism and creating a new model of “events + tourism + industry.” These projects not only enrich tourism formats, but also bring continuous visitor flow and spending to the area.
Throughout this development process, Fengqing has consistently treated linking farmers to growth opportunities as an important goal. Cultural and tourism projects give priority to hiring local labour, bringing residents into both the construction and operation stages. At the same time, farming households can also earn additional income by running farmhouse businesses and selling agricultural products. Through the integrated development of industry and tourism, more and more villagers are achieving stable income growth close to home.
From tea gardens to scenic destinations, from products to experiences, and from short visits to long-term stays, Fengqing’s tea-tourism integration continues to expand its boundaries. A single tea leaf carries history and culture, while also being transformed into new momentum for rural revitalization.
Looking ahead, Fengqing will continue centering its tea culture resources, improving infrastructure, enriching consumption scenarios, and raising service quality, while promoting deeper integration between the tea industry and tourism. In this way, more people will be able to visit Fengqing, understand Fengqing, and experience, between tea fragrance and mountain waters, the idea that “there is a kind of life called Yunnan.” (End)
