Gaoligong Mountain Tea Culture Park in Tengchong

Located in Tengchong (腾冲), Yunnan Province, the Gaoligong Mountain Tea Culture Park ((高黎贡山茶博园)) is a must-visit destination for tea enthusiasts and nature lovers. Spanning over 1078 acres, the park integrates tea planting, cultural exhibitions, research, education, and leisure tourism. It is recognized as a National AAA-level Tourist Attraction (国家AAA级旅游景区), offering visitors a comprehensive experience in the world of tea.

Park Overview

The Gaoligong Mountain Tea Culture Park is situated on the western slope of Gaoligong Mountain (高黎贡山), near the Tengchong Airport (腾冲机场), making it easily accessible for visitors. It was officially opened in 2016 and, just a few years later in 2019, earned the prestigious National AAA-level Tourist Attraction status. The park combines tea cultivation with tourism, offering a unique “tea forest” landscape. The upper layers of the forest are planted with winter melon trees, which naturally repel pests, while the middle layers feature ancient tea trees, and the lower layers are used for growing medicinal herbs. This diverse ecosystem provides a picturesque and sustainable environment.

Main Attractions and Facilities

• Ecological Tea Garden: The park covers 1078 acres of scenic tea gardens, preserving over 500 varieties of tea tree species in its genetic bank. Visitors can stroll through the lush tea fields and experience firsthand how tea is cultivated.

• Tea Culture Museum: This museum showcases the rich history of tea culture, with exhibits including a statue of the legendary Shennong (神农), ancient tea-making tools, and artifacts from the Tea Horse Road (茶马古道), an ancient trade route that connected China with Tibet and beyond.

• Wellness Accommodation Area: The park offers a variety of accommodations, including a 4-star wellness hotel featuring tea-based herbal baths, six luxurious tent hotels, and a 4C-level RV campsite. This range of accommodations allows guests to fully relax and rejuvenate in a tranquil environment.

• Educational and Experience Center: For those interested in learning more about tea, the park has a tea ceremony training center, an ATV experience area, and various children’s entertainment facilities, making it an ideal location for family and educational trips.

Unique Experience Activities

• Morning Activities: Visitors can enjoy a free visit to the Tea Culture Museum and experience a tea-tasting session featuring Leixiang Tea (雷响茶). Stroll through the ancient tea forests and observe the diverse ecological structures that sustain the area.

• Afternoon Activities: Engage in a hands-on tea-making experience, where guests can harvest fresh tea leaves and learn the processing techniques (210 RMB per pound of fresh leaves, including guidance and custom packaging). Afterwards, enjoy a tea-themed banquet, featuring specialties such as tea-scented chicken soup and green tea mousse (approximately 600 RMB per person).

• Evening Activities: For a unique experience, guests can opt for stargazing in the luxurious tents or enjoy a RV camping experience. The park also offers traditional tea oil massage therapy, which combines tea-based products with soothing treatments.

Transportation and Facilities

The Gaoligong Mountain Tea Culture Park is conveniently located just 1.5 kilometers from Tengchong Tuofeng Airport (腾冲驼峰机场) and 9 kilometers from the city center. The park offers more than 100 parking spaces and provides car rental services, ensuring a hassle-free visit.

• The dining area within the park offers the Tea Scented Feast (茶香宴), which includes dishes such as tea-smoked chicken and wild vegetable salad with tea oil, priced at 600 RMB per person.

Social Impact and Contributions

As of 2023, the park has significantly impacted the local community, using the "enterprise + base + farmer" model to help more than 30,000 tea farmers. The park has also promoted the development of organic tea plantations, with over 80,000 acres of tea gardens.

• Annual Processing Capacity: The park processes up to 4,000 tons of tea annually. Its products have even been selected for use at the APEC Summit.

• International Recognition: The park has earned 24 international quality certifications, highlighting the excellence of its products.

• Tea Tourism Growth: Data from 2024 indicates a 35% increase in winter wellness tourism, establishing the Gaoligong Mountain Tea Culture Park as a key hub in the Western Yunnan Tea Tourism Corridor (滇西茶旅走廊).