Tea Travel: For the Experts

[Thirsty Daruma]

Apologies in advance, since this is a replica of a post in "Miscellany" but I'd like to put my query here in ITD too, since I think the noise-to-signal ratio is better here.

So, I'm applying for a fellowship that would let me travel around for a year with some kind of non-research, non-academic thematic...theme. So, I chose tea. I've got a lot written out, and am brainstorming for a potential itinerary, but outside of Japan, and to a degree China, I don't know where some good tea travel hot spots would be. And the fellowship stipulates that travel to multiple countries is actually a requirement. So, any ideas? I'm especially looking for recommendations in Korea, Taiwan, HK, and Southeast Asia, but there might be places in China and Japan I've never heard of, too.

Any recommendations are welcome.

And Space, didn't you draw up a travel route for Japan? There are obviously a billion places in Kyoto, but I honestly don't know where else in Japan they cultivate tea. I assume anything North of Kansai is too cold.

[brandon]

China:

Wuxi (Bi Luo Chun)
Lion Xu, honestly not sure what city this is near, Long Jing
Anxi (TGY)
Wuyi (Dan Cong, Yancha)
Yunnan (puerh) specifically Kunming, the center of the tea trade, and visit the factories of Menghai region

Taiwan:
Northern mountains
Ali Shan
Li Shan
Shan Lin Shi

Central Taiwan
Dong Ding

Japan:
Uji (asamushi sencha, gyokuro. matcha)
Kagoshima (sencha)
Yame (oliver's favorite gyo)

Tibet would be interesting, they ship puerh tea bricks across the border from Yunnan.

[Space Samurai]

In Japan Uji, Shizuoka, and Kagoshima are the big three. But I think ther are more smaller, lesser known places like Awa in Shikoku. I would contact Toru at Artistic Nippon and get some of his input. He helped me out a fair bit.

And don't forget India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and even the US (Hawaii)

[ABx]

Wuyi (Dan Cong, Yancha)

Dancong would actually be Fenghuang (Phoenix) mountain

[brandon]

Not the first time I've done that, shows how much I drink dan cong.

Korea and Hong Kong are on a serious "meh" list for me.

[Pentox]

I'd add Yame to the list. I'd think the difference between Yame and Shizuoka would be very interesting.

Definitely India would be key on that list. Probably a good comparison between Japanese and Indian growing areas. I'm not well versed enough in Chinese to give much suggestion there. I'd want to check out Darjeeling in India.

[hop_goblin]

Yep, as pentox mentioned... India.. Tea is just as important to india as it is in China and elsewhere.. Check out the Nilgiri mountains..

[Mary R]

But India is as hot as Hades.

There are several different tea places and tour companies that offer a tea-focused trip. You might want to google about and see what some of them suggest as an itinerary.

[MarshalN]

How about tell us what you have on your list so far?

[joelbct]

Wow... non-research, non-academic, all-expenses-paid year of theme travel? Sounds like a pretty awesome gig, i hope you get it.

Japan locales that spring to mind:

Uji region
Chiran/Kagoshima Region
Shizuoka Region
Ippodo Tea House and shop in Kyoto
Tsuen Shop, one of the oldest companies on earth
Urasenke and Omotosenke Tea School Centers
assorted temples and gardens that feature Tea Houses (I've seen lists online, some of these places look absolutely sublime)
Raku Museum, other Tea Ceramics centers/galleries

For areas in China, I am not as knowledgeable, but Dragon Tea House has gorgeous images of growing regions posted with a lot of their Tea Selections... Just scroll to the bottom past the leaf images.

And I would hit up Sri Lanka and at least Assam/Darjeeling... I bet some of the estates would give you guided tours, especially for a shot at publicity.

Good Luck!!