Date & Time: Sunday, September 28th, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Location: Eastern Leaves Tearoom, via Macedonio Melloni 32, 20129 Milan
Speaker: Vivian Zhang, Eastern Leaves Founder
Tasting Included: Yes, featuring three teas that journey from the past to the present.
Language: English, with oral Italian translation

In 2005, as the modern world rushed forward, explorer Hu Mingfang did something extraordinary: he re-walked the entire Tea Horse Road from Yunnan to Beijing. His journey was more than a tribute; it was a vital act of cultural preservation, helping to cement the name "茶马古道 (The Tea Horse Ancient Road)" in our modern vocabulary and remind us of the route's profound significance.

Join Vivian to explore this modern-day expedition. This seminar delves into the stories of Hu Mingfang and the Six Great Masters of the Tea Horse Road, like Li Xu, who dedicated their lives to studying its history. We'll explore how their fieldwork and scholarship saved this epic tale from being lost to time and how the ancient path continues to inspire us today.

The Tea Tasting Experience:
We will taste three teas that embody the spirit of this journey—from its rugged origins to its modern legacy:

• Horse Driver's Tea (Manzhuan 2025, Yang Family): Start at the source. This is the kind of tea that was carried on the backs of men and horses. Sourced from the Manzhuan area and processed by a traditional family, this pu'er tea tastes of the earth, the forest, and the arduous journey itself. It is history in a cup.
• Yunnan Oriental Beauty: An wulong tea that symbolizes meeting points. While not a traditional caravan tea, its name and character speak to the cross-cultural inspiration along trade routes. This Yunnan rendition of a classic style represents the modern innovation and global dialogue that the Ancient Road now inspires.
• Yunnan 1000 Years Old Tree Hongcha: Taste living history. This red tea (hongcha) comes from ancient trees whose roots are deeper than the road itself. Its profound, complex character is a testament to the enduring power of nature and tradition—a fitting finale that connects the ancient past to the modern palate.

Who Should Attend?
Modern tea lovers, adventurers, and cultural preservationists. This seminar is for anyone inspired by the idea of journeying into the past to understand the present, and for those who believe that the most important paths are the ones we must never forget.

About the seminars, participation options, and discounts:
This event is part of a symposium held in Milan (27-28/9/2025) and the Netherlands (11-12/10/2025), to celebrate the Ancient Tea Horse Road (茶马古道), now recognized as a pivotal tea trading hub between ancient China and border countries. Its role in making Chinese tea beloved and coveted throughout the East was a great source of inspiration for Vivian Zhang's new project: The Chinese Tea Culture Foundation.
The theme of all the events revolves around this single cornerstone, and each speaker will bring their own experience and perspective to explore the various facets of this historic route. 

You can decide to join one or more events:
- by joining two or three events, you'll enjoy a 5% discount on the total amount
- by joining all 4 events, you can enjoy a 10% discount
- our Xiaoye and Daye alumni can enjoy an additional 10% discount by adding the code ALUMNI at checkout

All events are held live, and seats are limited: join us soon to avoid missing your chance!