NEW: from March 12th, 2026

Spring tea tour: Yunnan

Kunming, Dali, Shaxi, Xishuangbanna, Nannuo, Laoman'e, Laobanzhang, Yiwu

The tour starts on the eve of spring, when tea leaves, trees and mountains all are waiting for the first rain: the buds will sprout, and new fragrances and aromas will be discovered.

Our journey begins in the northern reaches of Yunnan, where history and tea intertwine. This part of the tour is dedicated to the vibrant capital of Kunming—home to tea studios, immersive workshops, and the dynamic pulse of the local tea market. From there, we venture into the culturally rich regions of Dali and Shaxi, once the heart of the ancient Nanzhao Kingdom. We’ll walk the legendary trails of the Tea Horse Road, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and iconic cultural landmarks that tell centuries-old stories of trade, tradition, and tea.

The second part of our journey brings us deep into the lush, subtropical beauty of Xishuangbanna. This is the cradle of premium tea, where the most revered mountains rise and the finest Pu’er teas are born. Here, we will explore pristine tea forests, connect with local producers, and fully immerse ourselves in the energy of the spring tea harvest—participating in and learning from one of the most sacred annual rhythms of the tea world.

We chose the very beginning of spring, when the season has just begun and is not yet hectic: usually, at this time of year, only a small quantity of buds has fully sprouted to be harvested, allowing us to travel the mountains and assist with spring production at a much slower pace, taking enough time to talk with people, learn and experiment with our own hands.

In this travel, you will find everything that makes up Eastern Leaves: our Yunnan, an in-depth dive into Chinese culture, and all the people that make our tea journey meaningful.

March 12th - March 25th, 2026: Spring tea production in Yunnan

Info and reservation

From farmers and tea scholars

In our travels we bring all that we are: our years of technical experience as tea growers and scholars in Yunnan, our long-term relationships with like-minded growers in other Chinese provinces and ceramic artists, and all the our passion.

Attentive organisation

We organize our travels with the same care that we use for our teas and our courses: we consider our activities as a whole, a multidimensional exploration of the leaves we love that needs careful and passionate support to reveal all its beauty.

Independent

We organize our itineraries with our own resources, without relying on any travel agency: we visit the places that shaped our tea journey and that still make us wonder, sitting at the tea table with the tea professionals we esteem the most.

Itinerary

Day #1 - OVER THE CLOUDS, THE CAPITAL OF YUNNAN

Kunming, March 12th

We welcome our guests in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan, located at 2,100 meters above sea level between the tropical south and the Himalayan north.

Thanks to its gentle climate it is called Spring City, and it is the capital of pu'er tea, where twenty-five cultural groups still live and thrive.

Here we have a comfortable rest with tea, seasonal fruit and food to recover from the fatigue of your travel.

 Photo gallery: Kunming

Day #2 - Tea studies in the heart of Yunnan

Kunming, March 13th

We meet Li Haibo and Li Jiajia, master and renowned teacher, for an in-depth seminar on the Gongfucha practice and ceremony. With precision and clarity, he guides us through the essential gestures of brewing, refining our technique to serve each tea at its best. We prepare select leaves from his impressive collection, learning how movement, timing, and heat shape flavour and fragrance.

After a quiet lunch, we spend the afternoon at a renowned incense school and workshop, home to an extraordinary private collection of agarwood from across Asia, along with rare woods and natural raw materials used in traditional incense making.Through guided sessions, we explore the theory, history, and practice of incense—from its spiritual and medicinal roots to the refined aesthetics of blending and heating.

Photo gallery: Kunming

Day #3 - OF MOUNTAINS RIDGES AND KINGS

Kunming to Dali, March 14th

We arrive in the Dali highland by train: in front of us, the Erhai Lake, which for the 40Km of its majestic length is crowned by the Cang Mountain Range, one of the most spectacular in China.

This land flourished since the VIII century with the Nanzhao Kingdom, and all around the shores of the Erhai lake, where multiple preserved remains of many dynasties.

We have a light lunch and we explore Dali old town. The landscape sweetens our day dedicated to history, culture and tea: we are going to taste pu'er teas that once transited here through the Ancient Tea Horse Road paired with local delicacies, tea leaves, and medicinal herbs, that grow in this incredible biodiversity.

Photo gallery: Dali

Day #4 - FLAVORS OF ANCIENT CIVILISATIONS

Dali, March 15th

We wake up with sunrise on the crystal clear lake, and we visit one of the most stunning Chinese landmarks: the Three Pagodas that surround the Chongsheng Temple, a symmetrical complex built in the 9th century and survived intact until nowadays.  

After lunch, we continue our day visiting the hot springs nourished by the Cang mountains' spring water, to restore us and to sweeten the evening chill.

Photo gallery: Dali

Day #5 - PEARL OF THE TEA HORSE ROAD

Shaxi, March 16th

We depart Dali for a scenic two-hour drive into the Yunnan highlands, arriving at the ancient trading post of Shaxi. A perfectly preserved jewel on the Southern Silk Road, this town offers a rare glimpse into the past.

Our exploration centres on Sideng Square, the historic heart of the town, where we will see the 700-year-old Ancient Theatre and the Xingjiao Temple with its exquisitely preserved friezes. A short walk leads us to the iconic Yujin Bridge, a stone arch crossed for centuries by the caravans of the Tea Horse Road.

We discover the unique atmosphere and traditional Bai architecture of wood and rammed earth, which make Shaxi the best-preserved station on the entire ancient route, while sampling teas that carry the taste of this historic site.

Day #6 - The Pulse of Modern Yunnan Tea

Shaxi to Kunming, March 17th

After a morning departure from the timeless atmosphere of Shaxi, we will journey back towards the vibrant provincial capital of Kunming.

Here we spend the rest of the day visiting the local tea market for professionals, with multiple chances to review and enrich the leaf-based experiences we had during our travel. It is an important place to feel the contemporary tea-scene in Yunnan: here every notable company is represented, with the best of its production.

Photo gallery: Kunming

Day #7 - taste of the old Dai kingdom

Kunming to Xishuangbanna, March 18th

In the morning, we head south towards the ancient Dai kingdom of Xishuangbanna, where most of the premium pu'er tea is produced and enjoyed.

After checking in, we have a quiet lunch and we dedicate the afternoon to the tasting of locally grown teas: it is the cradle of pu’er tea, with great and rising aged white teas and continuously evolving Dianhong red teas.

Photo gallery: Xishuangbanna

Day #8 -  The enchanted mountain

Nannuo forest,  March 19th

Nannuo mountain has a thousand-year history with tea, and due to its wilder history, it has an incomparable richness of tea forests: our travel into pu’er starts from here, walking to pay homage to the oldest 800-year-old tree, which is considered the king of Nannuo mountain, and whose location and story are so meaningful for our travel into pu’er tea.

After a typical Hani culture lunch in the mountain, with locally grown raw material, herbs, and spices we slowly go back to Xishuangbanna.


Photo gallery: Nannuo mountain

Day #9 - The Rythm of the leaves

Xishuangbanna,  March 20th

We immerse ourselves one last, intense time into the spring harvest season, joining the sacred rhythm between people and leaves. Our destination is guided by nature itself—depending on the weather and the day's activity, we will journey either to our own partner factory nestled in the misty mountains or to the renowned ancient tea forests of Nannuo Mountain. 

This is a day of pure, hands-on connection. We will fully join the moment, not as observers but as participants in the timeless process.

It is a profound opportunity to deepen our understanding at the very source, sharing in the daily practice of harvesting.

Photo gallery: Nannuo mountain

Day #10 - Treasures of Bulang mtn.

Laoman'e and Laobanzhang, March 21st

In the morning we head to Laoman’e village, the most historical and cultural village of the area, with a lively ancient temple that is the old keeper of the local culture and pu’er tea.

After lunch we visit the most famous village in the area, a symbol of the skyrocketing prices of pu'er tea: Laobanzhang, with its historic trees, evidence of ancient domestication, and the maximum security village that protects its treasure.

Gallery: Laobanzhang and Laoman'e

Day #11 - Fragrant History, Earthly Creations

Xishuangbanna, March 22nd

We start the day with an incense workshop and seminar: we go through 2000 years of fragrant history, actively studying the most important components, benefits, and interaction of different agarwood with different teas.

After lunch, we visit a lush tropical
garden surrounded by forest, which houses the ceramic workshop of an innovative master we love: Qiu Laoshi and his creations. His work is deeply rooted in his territory: he uses only
local sands and plant-based ashes for his glazes, and each of his production-season has a different hue. 

Photo gallery: Qiu Laoshi

Day #12 - The Emperor's favorite

Yiwu, March 23rd

We head southeast toward the border with Laos, with the Yiwu peaks as our destination. They are home to a diverse range of tastes, landscapes, and producers.

We walk among the most historically significant homes and lanes, the square where pu'er tea was loaded and traded for generations, and the local museum, which is located at the first stop of the Ancient Tea Horse Road.


Photo gallery: Yiwu

Day #13 - Flowery fragrance and pu’er tea

Yiwu, March 24th

We wake up surrounded by the peaks and scents of Yiwu and have a proper tea session.

We visit two different tea villages and forests: Luoshuidong, with its remarkable trees, a sanctuary to its king, and its ancient road; and Mahei, an old Han culture village that determines what Yiwu means and tastes like.

Photo gallery: Yiwu

Day #14 - A journey of fragrances

Xishuangbanna, March 25th

It is time to wrap up all the tastes, teas, people, places and experiences we have encountered through our travel: we meet in the morning in our tea studio to brew together the very best mountains and vintages. 

We prepare some Guanguan tea on the fire to warm up our souls before saying our goodbyes.

Our travel is designed by us, and it is independent by any travel agency: we bring you with us on Eastern Leaves routes, guided by a farmer and tea scholar, through places, tastes and people that are most menaningful for us.

From our travelers

I still can't believe I was in all these amazing places

"I am drinking a rock tea from Wuyishan at home, a month after our trip. Brewed in a beautiful Yixing pot that I bought in actual Yixing, and tea from the mountain that I hiked on. I still can't believe I was in all these amazing places... I am reminiscing about this holiday a lot. It was just perfect. People were incredibly nice. We had wonderful encounters with lots of lovely different tea people and the people in our group where the best. Tea people are so nice. We saw incredible things, drank the best teas and had so much fun together. Everything that was abstract for me beforehand, became concrete while traveling. It's hard to capture my feelings in words, but but I am back home for a month now and there was not a single day that I didn't think about the trip. I wasn't homesick while traveling, but I am tripsick now.

And all of this took place under the caring and enthusiastic guidance of Vivian and Lorenzo, truly two of the most kind, warm-hearted and knowledgeable people that I know."

W.E., from The Netherlands

We have become more sensitive and have touched beauty

"I want to consider a different approach. I don't want to make a review of what went well and what didn't go well. I don't want to dwell on individual stages and describe a fantastic world. I reject any image of travel, tea, an extraordinary country and all that. I want to forget any kind of knowledge I have. Tea lovers already know all about these things. I want to tell them that they don't need "yesterday" because it is the necessary condition to savor any moment with its different temperatures, colors and fragrances. Isn't this what happens when you drink forgotten tea? Isn't it like drinking a new tea, after all? When we abandoned the concept of tea bags, what did we do? We entered an ancient forest for the first time. We put our hands in the clay. We tasted food with a sparkling and surprising flavour. We have become more sensitive and have touched beauty. And this is where the world of Eastern Leaves becomes real"

D.N., from Italy

Our travel package includes accommodation in selected, cosy hotels, all the internal transportation, and meals. It doesn't include the flight from/to your country of origin, visas (but we support your application), and insurance.

Once you decide to travel with us, we assist you in everything we can, following our experience with travellers from all over the world.

We apply special rates for our Eastern Academy alumni: contact us to choose a date and customise together your travel at the origin of tea!

Food: Learn through tasting

Along with tea and culture, we place a high value on food: we select the most interesting meals and, above all, to immerse you in our reality of people and places. Whenever possible, we cook in our studio to chill between excursions and to sample foods discovered along the way.
Vegetarian options are plentiful, including numerous variations on tofu, beans, and cooking techniques that are part of the Chinese tradition.

Accommodation

We spend the majority of our nights in a small private villa adjacent to our studio, making it easy to begin each day with tastings and studying.
In every other city, we stay in trusted hotels on which we have come to rely over the years, and in some cases, they have become second homes to us due to their excellent service and tea with a view.

Transportation

We travel through the East Coast cities by rapid train (and yes, tea on the train is a must-have feature in our tours!) and then by private car to each destination; we fly to Yunnan and then drive our own private SUV to ensure the highest level of safety, comfort, and flexibility.

Contact us

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Further travel options

China Tour, Autumn

October 28th - November 14th, 2025

We curated a journey through the places, people, and tea we love most, offering a deep dive into our shared passion.

Starting in Shanghai, we travel to Yixing to meet master ceramicists Yuan Weixin and Lian Meiping. We then head to Wuyishan - Tè di roccia to explore the multiple micro-environments that make the rock tea so special, the origin of red teas in its scenic landscapes of Tongmuguan, and the famed Jianzhan pottery of Jianyang.

The second half takes us to our home of Yunnan: from studying gongfucha in Kunming to visiting key pu’er regions like Laobanzhang, Hekai, Nannuo, and Yiwu, walking the mountain paths and sharing our time with farmers and professionals.

This journey embodies the spirit of Eastern Leaves—tea, culture, landscapes, and the people who shape our story.

Itinerary and booking

Winter Tour, Yunnan

December 22nd, 2025 - January 4th, 2026

Winter in Yunnan is gentle and welcoming, with mild weather, fresh teas ready for tasting, and a peaceful atmosphere. This itinerary explores Yunnan’s diversity through tea, geography, and culture, from the ancient Nanzhao and Dai kingdoms to the high-mountain landscapes.

The tour includes hands-on workshops on brewing, incense, as well as visits to forests, mountains, and tea producers, travelling the mountains of Yiwu, nannuo, Jingmai and Bulang, hosted in many prestigious villages that made the history of pu'er tea.
We’ll meet artisans and professionals, sharing tea and insights into their craft.

With accessible tea roads and fresh teas available, the journey offers an immersive experience of Yunnan and the heart of Eastern Leaves.

Itinerary and booking

Custom tea journeys

All-year long

In addition to our scheduled tours, we offer custom journeys year-round on our land and the neighbouring mountains, tailored to your preferences and passions. From wilder explorations to focused courses and masterclasses—whether in Yunnan or other tea regions of China—each tour is designed with the same depth and immersion in our tea world.

The duration is completely flexible, based on your schedule and interests. You can draw inspiration from our existing tours or follow your own curiosity. Reach out to us—we’ll be happy to learn more about you and plan your unique tea journey together.

CONTACT US

Travel's FAQ

We carefully choose all our accommodations to make sure you have a comfortable and pleasant stay.

In Xishuangbanna, you'll stay in a private villa next to our tea studio, so you can fully immerse yourself in the tea experience.

In other cities, we use trusted hotels we've worked with for years. We choose them for their great service and reliability, and some have even become like a second home to us.

You can see the full list of all our partner hotels in the document below.

Hotels and Accommodations

To join our tours it is requires a tourist visa: most of the countries can obtain a 30-day visa on arrival.

If you country is not in this list, you need to obtain a regular 30-days visa: the procedure is pretty straightforward, and it is more and more simplified.

We offer all possible assistance based on the experiences of the travellers we have welcomed over the years from all over the world.

For the most recent news on China visa policy, we recommend visiting the website of the China Visa Application Center.

Sure! Food is an important part of our experience (and of our lives), so we plan it carefully.

Chinese cuisine is extremely diverse: it includes countless varieties of tofu and a variety of vegetable cooking techniques; we will encounter tuberoses and radishes, wild herbs and flowers: a plant-based diet, in addition to a onnivore diet, is entirely possible.

We also have experience with various dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, lactose intolerant, and religious restrictions; when you contact us, please let us know your needs and preferences, and we will gladly plan your meal accordingly.

As you are probably aware, we are huge fans of photography, particularly when done slowly and with passion: if you, too, enjoy cameras and pictures, it would be wonderful to share our enthusiasm along the way.

Photos and videos are permitted as long as they do not disrupt the flow of travel for our farmers and experts, ensuring a pleasant experience for all of our guests.

If you want a tour specifically designed for documentary purposes, complete with filming mics and equipment, please contact us in advance to plan a customised trip.

When you decide to book we advise to keep in touch with us, we will assist you as much as possible with flights from your country of origin, visas, and any preparation you may need. 

Visas for China have recently become easier to obtain for the majority of nationalities; for the most up-to-date visa rules, we recommend checking the official Chinese website and your local Chinese Embassy or Consulate.

Yes, if you wish, we can provide you with a digital or printed certificate for your travel experience into tea.

For travellers, China is one of the safest countries in the world, with extremely low crime rates, including pickpocketing.

Our commitment along the route is to keep you as safe as possible, both physically and mentally.

For our longer tours, we usually offer the option to join only a portion of the tour, for at least 12 days, based on availability.

If this is your wish, please contact us so that we can plan your trip together.

Find us

Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China

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