from December 22nd, 2025
Winter tea tour: Yunnan
Kunming-Dali-Shaxi-Xishuangbanna-Jingmai-Yiwu-Nannuo-Menghai
The sweetest season
Winter in Yunnan is gentle and quiet: the weather in the valleys is mild, with the occasional cloud framing trees and flower fields; the tea has been pressed and is on each tea table, ready to be tasted; and everyone's soul is ready to welcome you.
This new itinerary explores the diversity of our beloved Yunnan in tea, geography, and culture: we cross its high-mountain geography from north to south, through its two most important kingdoms of Nanzhao (Tang dynasty, 618-907) and Dai (Song dynasty, 960-1279), indulging in the best leaves that the locals who inhabited these lands refined over centuries.
It is a tour of study, with the workshop we prepare for you on brewing, ancient incense, and Tang dynasty cakes; of exploration, with mountains, forests and new encounters; of awe, thanks to the breathtaking landscapes of Yunnan; of people: we will brew together with the producers their best teas, and we will be hosted by pottery masters and tea professionals, freely interacting with their humanity and work.
In the winter, it is possible to travel over the majority of the tea roads and trails, and all of the new teas in both maocha and pressed bricks are waiting to be brewed.
Temperatures in the Xishuangbanna valley are expected to range between 18°C and 25°C, while Kunming and Dali, where we will be attending the majority of the professional seminars, will be between 5°C and 16°C.
This journey will take you through everything that makes Eastern Leaves: our Yunnan, a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, and all of the people that make our tea journey meaningful.
Dec 22nd, 2025 - January 4th, 2026: The gentle winter in Yunnan
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 meaningful 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.
E.T., from The Netherlands
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!
Contact us
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 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.
Yunnan spring tour
March 12th - 25th, 2026
This immersive tour explores the legendary tea mountains of Xishuangbanna, from the ancient forests of Nannuo to the revered villages of Laobanzhang and Yiwu.
We will witness the first sprouts of the season, participate in tea production, and taste the freshest leaves directly with the growers. The itinerary includes profound workshops on Gongfucha and Yixing teaware with master scholars, visits to pottery artisans, and deep cultural immersions into the Dai and Hani traditions.
Designed and led by tea farmers and scholars, this is a unique opportunity to experience the awakening of the tea mountains at a slow, meaningful pace, connecting with the people and places that define our passion.
china tea tour, may
May 11th - May 26th, 2026
We curated a journey through the places, people, and teas 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 during the harvest season, exploring the diverse micro-environments that make its rock teas so exceptional, and continue to Tongmuguan to witness the origins of red tea amid its stunning landscapes. Along the way, we discover the famed Jianzhan pottery of Jianyang.
The second half of the tour brings us to our home in Yunnan: from studying gongfucha in Kunming to visiting key pu’er regions like Laobanzhang, Hekai, Nannuo, and Yiwu, walking mountain paths and sharing moments with farmers and tea professionals.
This journey embodies the spirit of Eastern Leaves—tea, culture, landscapes, and the people who bring them to life.
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.
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.
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.
