From August 3rd, 2025

Summer tea tour

Chengdu-Ya'an-Mending-Kunming-Xishuangbanna-Nannuo-Menghai-Laobanzhang-Laoman'e-Hekai

This August tour is a particularly special one, designed for those who have shared a longer path with us—returning travellers, close friends, and companions from past journeys. It follows an emotionally rich and carefully curated itinerary, shaped by the deep relationships we’ve built over time.

The tour is currently fully booked, but in the coming days there may be an opportunity to join for one person. If the journey speaks to you, we would be glad to hear from you.

We begin in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan and a centre of Chinese cuisine and teahouse culture. From there, we travel west to Ya’an and Mending Mountain — two vital places in the history of Chinese tea. Mending is where tea was first cultivated, with sacred groves and ancient temples. Ya’an has long been the gateway for Tibetan-bound teas, and here we’ll explore the story of Zangcha, Tibetan dark tea, and taste rare aged bricks from a private archive.

We return to Chengdu for a final round of tastings before continuing to Kunming, capital of Yunnan. At 2,000 metres above sea level, it’s a key crossroads for tea, where we’ll spend a full day in focused tastings with respected tea collectors, editors, and professionals — exploring aged teas and today’s evolving tea scene.

The second half of our journey unfolds in Xishuangbanna, our home. Together with tea farmers and friends, we’ll explore the core tea mountains of Nannuo and Bulang, including the prestigious villages of Laobanzhang and the cradle of pu'er in Laoman'e — balancing field visits, thoughtful seminars, and shared meals in the forested hills of southern Yunnan.

It’s a study tour in the most authentic sense, with time dedicated to advanced gongfucha brewing, Chinese incense, and Yixing clay. But it’s also a journey of joy and connection: we’ll walk mountain paths, gather around full tables, and pause for reflection in temples and tea rooms. Every detail—from food and lodging to pacing and atmosphere—is crafted with great care.

This tour weaves together everything that makes Eastern Leaves: the people who grow our tea, the land that nurtures it, and the cultural richness that continues to guide our way.

August 3rd - August 18th, 2025
1 seat left and waiting list

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 - Leaves and teahouses

Chengdu, August 3rd

We begin our journey in Chengdu, the vibrant capital of Sichuan and the heart of Chinese gourmet culture. According to each guest’s arrival time, we provide a warm welcome and comfortable transfer to the hotel, allowing space to rest and settle in after the journey.

Around midday or early afternoon, we gather for a relaxed lunch featuring seasonal Sichuan dishes—fragrant, balanced, and full of character. Later, we share our first tea together in a peaceful teahouse, where the rhythm of Chengdu gently invites us into the journey ahead. It’s the perfect setting to introduce one another and begin unfolding the stories of the leaves we will encounter.

Gallery: Sichuan

Day #2 - Flowers and cultures of West China

Chengdu, August 4th

Our second day in Chengdu is dedicated to two of its greatest pleasures: food and tea. We begin in People’s Park, where locals gather in one of the city’s oldest teahouse traditions. Set beneath bamboo and old trees, these lively spaces offer a slow rhythm— tea is poured from long-spouted kettles as people play mahjong, chat, or simply watch the day pass. It’s a living ritual at the heart of Chengdu life.

We spend the rest of the day exploring Sichuan cuisine, tasting both traditional dishes and modern takes. From fragrant broths to numbing spices and delicate appetisers, each flavour reveals a new layer of this rich culinary tradition. In Chengdu, tea and food speak the same generous, balanced language.

Gallery: Gallery: Sichuan

Day #3 - The gateway of Himalayan tea

Chengdu to Ya’an, August 5th

We leave Chengdu by train, crossing hills and valleys toward Ya’an. The landscape changes from tea terraces to forested slopes as we near the Himalayas, revealing Sichuan’s rich tea-growing heartland.

Ya’an, beside a peaceful lake, is known as the gateway to the Himalayas and a historic hub for Tibetan tea trade. Compressed tea cakes once travelled these mountain routes to distant markets.

We meet local tea collectors with archives spanning 70 years, preserving original seals and rare aged teas. This tasting offers a unique chance to connect deeply with Tibetan tea’s heritage and flavour.

Gallery: Sichuan

Day #4 - Tea trails and Temples of Mending

Mending mountain, August 6th

We journey west toward the Himalayan foothills to Mending Mountain, a sacred site where some of the oldest mother tea trees still thrive. Our walk around the peak is a reverent exploration of these ancient giants, connecting us to the roots of tea culture that stretch back centuries.

Along the trail, we visit serene temples nestled into the landscape—places of quiet contemplation that have witnessed the cycles of tea harvests and seasons for generations. These sacred sites deepen our understanding of tea not just as a crop, but as a living tradition intertwined with local spirituality.

As evening falls, we settle in Ya’an for our overnight stay, surrounded by the gentle rhythms of this historic tea region.

Gallery: Sichuan

Day #5 - The mountain ridge

Ya’an to Chengdu, August 7th

We journey back from Ya’an to Chengdu, watching the scenery unfold as we descend from the misty foothills into the wide Sichuan plains. Tea mountains give way to urban sprawl, and the quiet pace of rural life gradually blends into the rhythm of the city.

Once in Chengdu, we settle in and enjoy a light stroll through a nearby neighbourhood or one of the city’s lively markets. It’s a moment to soak in the texture of daily life—local fruit stands, tea stalls, and the soft clatter of mahjong tiles echoing from shaded courtyards.

In the evening, we gather for a farewell dinner with flavours that reflect the crossroads spirit of this region: a Tibetan meal that recalls the highlands to the west and honours the long road travelled by tea and people alike. Fragrant stews, hand-rolled breads, and earthy teas create a fitting close to this segment of the journey.

Gallery: Sichuan

Day #6 - The Spring City and the Taste of Time

Chengdu to Kunming, August 8th

In the morning, we leave Chengdu and fly to Kunming, the vibrant capital of Yunnan.

As we cross from the fertile Sichuan Basin to the highlands of Southwest China, the landscape shifts dramatically—rising altitudes, brighter skies, and the cooler air of the “Spring City” welcome us into a new chapter of the journey.

Once in Kunming, we head to the bustling professional tea market, the beating heart of Yunnan’s modern tea trade. Every major company is represented here, showcasing the finest selections of Pu’er, aged white teas, and evolving Dianhong reds.

In the afternoon, we dive into an in-depth tasting session with prominent experts—collectors, dealers, and independent publishers—carefully selected for their experience and insight. Their unique perspectives help us read the present and future of Yunnan tea through the taste of exceptional leaves.

Photo gallery: Kunming

Day #7 - Tea studies in the heart of Yunnan

Kunming, August 9th

We meet Li Haibo, 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 prepared by his private chef, we return to the tea table. This time, Li Haibo brews for us, using a curated selection of Yixing teapots from his collection. As he prepares each tea, he shares the history and nuances of the clay, the evolving forms of these iconic vessels, and their intimate relationship with different teas. Each infusion reveals not only the depth of the leaves, but also the quiet elegance of mastery.

Photo gallery: Kunming

Day #8 - Yunnan history, and pu’er tea legends

Kunming, August 10th

We begin our day with a walk along Cuihu Lake and into Kunming’s old city, where we meet Mr. Hu—one of Pu’er tea’s most respected contemporary voices. In 2005, he famously led a caravan of 120 horses from Pu’er to Beijing, reviving the ancient tea road across 3,000 kilometres. As we taste rare leaves from his personal archive, he shares stories from the trail and reflections on the future of tea.

In the afternoon, we visit the Yunnan Nationalities Museum, where the rich cultural diversity of the province comes to life. The traditions and lifeways of Yunnan’s many ethnic groups offer deeper context to the teas we’ve encountered, grounding their flavours in living history.

Photo gallery: Kunming

Day #9 - Ancient cultivars

Kunming to Xishuangbanna, August 11th

In the morning, we set off southwards towards Xishuangbanna, the ancient land of the Dai kingdom and the beating heart of premium pu’er tea production.

This region, where tropical forests meet mountain slopes, is steeped in centuries of tea culture and tradition, alive with rituals and a profound respect for the land.

After arriving and settling into our accommodation, the afternoon is dedicated to studying the teas Xishuangbanna is widely regarded for, understanding their character, processing methods, and the stories they carry from leaf to cup.

Gallery: Xishuangbanna

Day #10 - The gentle forest

Nannuo mountain, August 12th

Nannuo mountain has a thousand-year history with tea, and due to its wilder history 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 visit an abandoned factory from the late '30s and we then head back to Xishuangbanna for 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.

Gallery: Nannuo mountain

Day #11 - Treasures of Bulang mountain

Bulang mtn., August 13th

In the morning we head to Laoman’e village, the most historical and cultural village in 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.

During this day at the origin of tea, we will live and drive through scenic ridges and valleys; and in both villages we visit we will notice the same timeless connection between the Bulang and Hani people and their tea forests, a tradition passed down for over a thousand years.

Gallery: Laobanzhang and Laoman'e

Day #12 - Tea knowledge and balance in Banna

Xishuangbanna, August 14th

In the heart of the Xishuangbanna valley, we dedicate the day to deepening our understanding of local tea through a focused seminar. We explore the full spectrum of regional leaves—starting with Pu’er tea in both raw and ripe forms, moving to elegant aged white teas with their golden clarity and honeyed notes, and closing with the evolving Dianhong reds that reflect the richness of local soil and climate.

In the afternoon, we turn to balance of body and mind. Guests may visit a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner for acupuncture, cupping, or personalised herbal consultations—central to Yunnan’s wellness culture. Alternatively, a quiet temple in the nearby hills offers space for reflection, letting the day’s tea impressions steep more deeply.

Gallery: Xishuangbanna

DAY #13 - FLOWERY FRAGRANCE AND PU’ER TEA

Menghai, August 15th

Menghai is the hub of the most renowned and busiest pu’er tea production area, surrounded by the Bulang region with famed spots like Laobanzhang, Laoman’e, Pasha, Nannuo, and Naka. It brings together the best professionals and factories in the business.

We visit a pu’er tea refining workshop and dive into the local economy, dedicating the day to sampling some of the greatest teas. On our way to Xishuangbanna in the afternoon, we stop at a Pu’er shupu master’s for a specialised tasting to prepare us for the evening.

Later, we visit a lush tropical garden nestled in the forest, home to the ceramic workshop of the innovative Qiu Laoshi. His work is deeply tied to the land—he uses only local sands and plant-based ashes for his glazes, with each production season revealing a different hue.

Gallery: Menghai

Day #14 - Eastern Leaves forest

Nannuo forest, August 16th

In the morning we plan a walk to explore the height of Nannuo and reach its Bama side, the most prestigious and isolated.
Note: for whoever feels uncomfortable with the hike, most of the walk can be supported by SUV or small bus.

We will explore different tea-gardens and forests, cultivars and species, and we will have a picnic on the mountain. It is a unique chance to be immersed in the tea mountain, participating in its daily life and fragrances, step by step. 

Our day includes a visit to the peaceful and hidden forest in Lunan/Pasha to our ancient trees: it is often immersed in the fog, and gifts us with a magical atmosphere.

Gallery: Nannuo

Day #15 - The rainforest beyond the Mekong

Jinuo mountain, August 17th

Today we travel to Jinuo Mountain, east of the Mekong River—one of the oldest tea-growing regions in Xishuangbanna and home to remarkable biodiversity. Here, ancient tea trees grow alongside dense rainforest, bamboo, and wild herbs, shaping teas of great character and depth.

We visit one of the main Jinuo villages, welcomed by a local family who shares their Pu’er tea and traditional food. Their tea reflects generations of knowledge and the quiet strength of the mountain itself.

If weather allows, we take a walk through a patch of rainforest, discovering native tea trees and local flora, or visit a nearby Dai village to observe another tea-growing culture.

Gallery: Jinuo

DAY #16 - A journey of fragrance

Xishuangbanna, August 18th

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 will make some Guanguan tea on the fireto warm up our soul before going on the way back home - or to continue your travel somewhere else. 

Gallery: Xishuangbanna

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’m drinking a rock tea from Wuyishan at home, a month after our trip. Brewed in a beautiful Yixing pot I bought there, with tea from the mountain I hiked. I still can’t believe I was in those amazing places... I reminisce about this holiday a lot. It was perfect. People were incredibly kind. We had wonderful encounters with many lovely tea people, and our group was the best. Tea people are so warm. We saw incredible sights, drank the finest teas, and had so much fun together.

Everything that was abstract before became real while traveling. It’s hard to put my feelings into words, but a month later, I haven’t gone a day without thinking about the trip. I wasn’t homesick then, but now I’m definitely tripsick. All of this happened under the caring, enthusiastic guidance of Vivian and Lorenzo, truly two of the kindest, warmest, and most knowledgeable people 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

These experiences last only a few weeks, but the memories will stay with me for a lifetime

I've joined two tours with Eastern Leaves, and both exceeded my expectations. Though I’m not usually a fan of group travel, being with fellow tea lovers made it special.

The Eastern Leaves team stands out for their thoughtfulness, sincerity, and commitment to sharing knowledge. They were supportive before the trip and attentive throughout, providing quality accommodations and meals while regularly asking for feedback.

The itineraries strike a great balance between active days and restful ones with tastings and workshops, and they remain flexible to adapt to changes.

I visited renowned places like Wuyishan, Yixing, and Yunnan’s wild tealands, and even returning to places like Nannuo and Menghai brought new perspectives. These short journeys have left me with lasting memories.

None of what I have experienced, would have been accessible and possible as independent traveller

Thank you so much for such two unforgettable weeks around Yunnan.

As an event organizer I don’t trust other people easily, but your tour was seamless and you gave us so much more than you promised. You’re both very alert to the necessities of the group, flexible and caring that you made us feel special from day one. You also have a keen eye for detail, which always makes a big difference.

Every day we could discover a new shade of the fascinating tea world of Yunnan and it really was a deep dive into the subject at 360 degrees. Most of all, 98% of what we experienced, tasted, brewed, learnt and enjoyed wouldn’t have been accessible and possible as independent traveller. You really are a passport for the world of Chinese tea and I can’t wait to discover another tea area of your country with you.

L.A., from Venice

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 to explore the origins of rock and red teas in its scenic landscapes, and the famed Jianzhan pottery of Jianyang.

The second half takes us to Yunnan: from studying gongfucha in Kunming to visiting key pu’er regions like Laobanzhang, Hekai, Nannuo, and Yiwu.

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

Itinerary and booking

Winter Tour, Yunnan

Dec 22nd, 2025 - Jan 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, and Tang dynasty tea cakes, as well as visits to forests, mountains, and tea producers. 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.

Info and booking

Travel's FAQ

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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