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CHINA TEA TOUR
- Chaozhou -
Chaozhou (Chinese: 潮州), alternatively Teochew, is a city in the eastern Guangdong province of China. Chaozhou is a globally renowned cultural center of the Lingnan region of China. Throughout China's turbulent history, the Chaozhou region was nonetheless able to flourish and thrive, enabling the nourishing of a unique and distinctive character epitomized in the city's native dialect, ceramics, opera, cuisine, Fenghuang Dancong Tea, music, style of lion dance, embroidery and another needlework called drawnwork.
Fenghuang Dancong Tea, the 'perfume' of Chinese teas with a formidable kick, which was first created in the Song dynasty, is still flourishing and remains an important part of social etiquette in Chaozhou. Visitors to local families can be sure of at least one round of Gongfu Tea. Though it tastes bitter when it first reaches the mouth, Gongfu Tea is renowned for its lingering aftertaste. Fenghuang Dancong tea originated from Fenghuang Mountain in Chaozhou and is made from high-quality single-plant tea leaves, so it is called "Dancong". The color of the tea infusion is as bright as amber, and the tea leaves are covered with red rims. If you use the Gongfu tea brewing method, each brew gives a different taste level!
Day 1
On our first day, we boarded the high-speed rail to Chaozhou city, where an unforgettable journey began. After checking into our hotel, we dived into the delightful world of traditional Chaoshan cuisine for our inaugural meal. Renowned for its lightness and freshness, this culinary masterpiece showcases the natural flavors of seafood and other local ingredients, making it a must-try experience that we absolutely loved!
Post-dinner, we wandered over to Paifang Street, one of Chaozhou’s most iconic attractions. This traditional avenue features the stunning Paifang arches, which have their roots in the Zhou Dynasty (BC 770—BC 256). These beautiful gateways pay tribute to esteemed celebrities and sages, inviting visitors to appreciate the historical significance and the enchanting fusion of Chinese and foreign architectural styles that reside in this lively area.
Our adventure continued as we stepped into a traditional Chaozhou teahouse, where a skilled tea master introduced us to the art of the Gongfu Tea Ceremony. The term “Gongfu” encompasses not just skill, but also art, dedication, and effort. This intricate process, which requires time and expertise, transforms tea preparation into an exquisite art form involving 21 detailed steps. The result? A brewing method that enhances the flavors of the tea leaves and offers an enchanting tasting experience. While we enjoyed our Gongfu tea, we were privileged to witness a captivating Chaozhou Opera performance titled Jingchenghui. The story beautifully recounts a man’s touching reunion with his wife after he triumphantly ranked first in the palace examination. This striking blend of culinary and artistic experiences made our visit to Chaozhou truly unforgettable, leaving us enchanted and eager to explore more!
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