Tea tourism revives village

Liubao tea can be produced from spring to fall. Although the leaves from early spring are considered the most tender and thus top quality, they carry a unique flavor when harvested in late fall.

The local authority has been developing integrated tea and tourism over the years.

"With more tourists, 'agritainment' that combines accommodation, farming and tea-picking experiences has taken off," says Cao Zhang, Party secretary of Liubao town.

In Dazhong village, southeast of Liubao, Liang Shuiyue has, literally, tasted the benefits of rural tourism.

She runs a homestay that brings in a steady income to her family.

The collective income in Dazhong reached 88,300 yuan ($13,810) last year, after locals were encouraged to develop tea gardens under a program that brings together business, cooperative oversight and rural households.

Dazhong received 150,000 visitors during this year's Spring Festival and the village is part of the rural revitalization belt that the Liubao authority has been striving to build.

The goal is to develop a distinctive "tea street", rural homestays and green tea parks for sightseeing, and create unique scenery, with villages displaying different characteristics, Cao says.

The Liubao tea museum gives visitors a comprehensive taste of what is involved in bringing in the refreshing beverage to one's cup.