Tea, or also known as 'tra' in Vietnamese, has its origins in Asia and is an elegant beverage favored by many. The image of lush green tea hills always captivates anyone who sees it.
1. Vietnamese Tea Hills
Tea in Vietnam is also an immensely popular beverage. Tea plants are widely cultivated in Vietnam and constitute a significant export product for the country.
The picturesque scenes of lush tea hills in the Northern region are considered a distinctive image of our country, especially in places like Phu Tho, Moc Chau, Thai Nguyen, and more.
It would be remiss not to mention the verdant hills of Moc Chau, Son La, particularly during the winter when the leaves fall and branches become bare. Despite the winter, this plateau is still adorned with the beautiful green color of tea hills. Tea is also the primary economic crop of this region, with famous tea products known throughout the country.
The tea gardens here showcase a mesmerizing beauty that rivals any other place. Beyond their economic significance, these tea hills are also a destination drawing tourists from all corners, eager to witness the simple and pure charm of Vietnam's rural landscapes.
2. Indian Tea Heights
As one of the world's largest tea-producing nations, ranking second only to China, India possesses exquisite tea gardens that annually attract countless tourists.
Nestled at the foothills, concealed behind the misty layers of the Himalayas, is one of India's most renowned tea cultivation areas, the Darjeeling tea hills. This region, situated at an elevation of 1,800 to over 2,000 meters, was once a pristine forest.
However, the authorities intervened and transformed this place into a commercial tea-growing region due to the extremely cool and tranquil climate in the area.
Despite its limited tea cultivation area of only 20,000 hectares, Darjeeling tea carries a uniquely captivating flavor with an exquisite aroma that enchants the senses. Its taste is often likened to the Champagne of the tea world.
3. Japanese Tea Hills
Certainly, no one is unfamiliar with the Japanese art of tea or the Way of Tea. Japanese tea, known for its unique, fragrant, and slightly bitter taste, is produced in gardens of exquisite greenery.
Visiting Japan's tea city, Wazuka, you'll marvel at distinctive tea gardens with neatly arranged rows, creating a unique landscape not found elsewhere.
Wazuka is the sole city in Japan that has preserved the tradition of tea cultivation and production for over 800 years. The region's tea is acclaimed as one of the best traditional teas in Japan.
With over 300 families dedicated to upholding tradition, this city is a haven for countless tea enthusiasts nationwide. Annually, the city hosts a tea festival – Chagenkyo Matsuri, attracting over 6,000 visitors to sample local teas and various tea products.
4. Chinese Tea Heights
Indulging in tea is considered one of the oldest traditions, and tea stands as an enduring symbol of this densely populated land. Among China's renowned tea-growing regions is the Dragon Well area, located in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province.
This region is revered for producing China's finest tea – Dragon Well tea. With a tea cultivation tradition spanning over 1,000 years, the tea here possesses four distinctive characteristics: the emerald green color of tea leaves, a uniquely fragrant aroma, the shape of tea leaves, and a crisp, refreshing tea flavor.
During the Qing Dynasty, Dragon Well tea was considered the imperial tea, greatly favored by multiple generations of emperors.
The Dragon Well area today hosts numerous villages and diverse tea gardens. It also features a tea temple and a museum dedicated to China's unique tea culture.
5. Kenyan Tea Hills
Kenya, a renowned African nation, ranks third globally in tea production. Tea is a significant export, constituting Kenya's third-largest source of foreign exchange, following tourism and fruits.
Most tea gardens are concentrated on plateaus surrounding the Rift Valley, extending across various cities such as Nyeri, Bomet, Kiambu…
Situated west of the Rift Valley, the town of Kericho is home to Kenya's finest-rated tea. Unlike Kenya's generally arid terrain, with high rainfall and dense altitude, Kericho is an ideal location for tea cultivation and production.
Tea produced here is renowned for its vibrant color, refreshing flavor, and suitable leaf texture. Due to the high-quality tea, the Rift Valley became a prominent supplier for a well-known tea company.
6. Sri Lankan Tea Hills
As the fourth-largest tea producer globally, Sri Lanka boasts numerous vast tea plantations. The Nuwara Eliya region, located 160km from the capital Colombo, is famous for its lush green tea hills stretching towards the horizon.
With an elevation of 2,000m above sea level, this area has a mild, cool climate, ideal for the Sri Lankan people to nurture and produce outstanding tea products.
The tea rows in Nuwara Eliya, approximately 1m wide, are carefully arranged on the gentle hills. The tea blossoms exhibit an ivory-white color, with five petals encircling a round center featuring yellow stamens.
Sri Lankan residents cherish tea, paying meticulous attention to every stage from planting and caring for the tea to harvesting, drying, rolling, and the scenting process. For them, achieving a perfect product requires not only excellent raw materials but also the careful and refined touch of the craftsmen.
According to Depplus
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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourJuly 21, 2014