Chasing spring in Guangdong's tea fields

Spring tea picking season is in full swing across Guangdong. Early spring tea stands out for its fresher aroma and more delicate flavor compared to later harvests. Many plantations are now open to visitors, offering hands-on experiences from tea picking to processing. For those planning a spring outing during the Qingming Festival holiday, a walk through the tea hills is a perfect choice.

Tea Fun Garden, Baiyun Mountain, Guangzhou (白云山茶趣园)

Located within the Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area, the tea garden sits along terraced slopes near the west gate. Visitors can join guided tea picking and tea-making sessions, with tea masters explaining the basics of tea culture, from identifying leaves to processing techniques.

(Photo: Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area)

After picking, participants are guided through the roasting process and can taste the tea they have made. The site also offers tea art demonstrations, providing a closer look at traditional tea culture.

Price:

Scenic area ticket: 5 yuan

Tea garden entry: Free

Tea picking & making experience: 198 yuan/person (1 hour picking, 2 hours processing)

Address: 801 Guangyuan Middle Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou (广州市白云区广园中路801号)

Duichuan Tea Farm, Foshan (对川茶场)

Located in the Midea Egret Lake Forest Resort, Duichuan Tea Farm is the only large-scale tea plantation in Foshan, covering more than 900 mu (about 60 hectares). Surrounded by hills and lakes, it produces black and green tea known for its rich aroma and smooth taste.

(Photo: Gaoming Media)

In spring, the plantation is filled with fresh greenery. Visitors can walk through the fields, pick tea leaves, and experience life as a tea grower. The site also includes a tea museum and reading spaces, while nearby restaurants incorporate tea into local dishes.

Price: 98 yuan/person

Note: Approximately 100 minutes. Advance booking required via WeChat mini program "佛山美的鹭湖岭南花园酒店" by 17:00 the day before. (Tel: +86 19902686530 / +86 13553918511)

Address: Midea Egret Lake Forest Resort, No. 218 Gaoming Avenue, Gaoming District, Foshan (佛山市高明区高明大道218号)

Dajian Mountain Tea Garden, Zhongshan (大尖山茶园)

Set within Dajian Mountain Camping Park, this tea garden grows over 300 mu (about 20 hectares) of black tea. Visitors can pick tea, try traditional pan-firing techniques, and taste freshly made tea on site. The park also offers horse riding and camping, making it suitable for a slower-paced day trip.

(Photo: Wuguishan Fabu)

Price: 48 yuan/person (30-minute picking experience; tea can be taken home)

Address: Dajian Mountain Camping Park, Wuguishan Sub-district, Zhongshan (中山市五桂山街道大尖山露营公园)

Huizhou Wanmu Tea Plantation (惠州万亩茶园)

Located in Huizhou's Boluo County, Baitang Town has a long history of tea cultivation and is one of the major tea-producing areas in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The plantation spans over 10,000 mu (around 670 hectares), with tea fields stretching across hills and valleys. Visitors can walk along wooden trails, pick tea leaves, and try traditional processing methods while learning from local tea makers. The cafe within the plantation serves tea-based drinks, and nearby accommodations offer overnight stays surrounded by tea fields.

(Photo: Huizhou Fabu)

Price: Free entry (tea picking activities charged separately)

Address: Baitang Town, Boluo County, Huizhou (惠州市博罗县柏塘镇)

T Manor, Qingyuan (T三峰林茶谷)

Located in Yingde County-level City, a key production area of Yingde black tea, this tea valley sits within a karst landscape known for its dense limestone peaks. Visitors can take part in tea picking and processing, and sample dishes made with fresh tea, such as tea-infused chicken and shrimp, as well as tea-based treats like black tea ice cream and milk tea.

(Photo: T Manor)

A camping festival is underway here until April 30. Sunset concerts take place on weekends, alongside activities such as Song Dynasty-style tea preparation and tea-themed workshops.

Price: 49 yuan/person (From March 28 to April 30, free entry for pairs wearing traditional Chinese attire, such as Hanfu, qipao, or Mamianqun; tea picking experiences charged separately)

Address: Huanghua Town, Yingde, Qingyuan (广东省清远市英德市黄花镇)

Zijin Kecha Valley, Heyuan (紫金客茶谷)

Kecha Valley focuses on Zijin Chancha Tea, known for its natural honey-like aroma formed after leafhopper bites. The site combines tea production with tourism, offering picking, workshops and cultural exhibitions. Visitors can walk along wooden paths through the plantation, join guided picking sessions, and explore the local tea culture. Tea-based dishes, such as tea-braised chicken and ribs, are also available.