Sipping Innovation: How Sichuan’s Tea Farms Blend Tradition with Tech

As dawn breaks over the misty peaks of Mengding Mountain in Sichuan, the annual spring tea harvest is more than a ritual—it’s a revolution. For centuries, this region has been the heartbeat of the Chinese mainland’s tea culture, but today, ancient traditions are meeting cutting-edge innovation to brew a brighter future.

CGTN reporter Xu Yi trekked through emerald-green terraces to meet local farmers balancing time-honored techniques with drones, e-commerce platforms, and eco-friendly practices. "We’re like tea leaves ourselves," joked one grower. "Steeped in history, but learning new flavors."

Why does this matter? Beyond the Instagram-worthy landscapes ( #TeaTok, anyone?), Sichuan’s tea renaissance reflects a bigger trend: Asia’s timeless industries are harnessing tech to stay relevant. With global demand for organic and specialty teas soaring, young entrepreneurs here are tapping into apps for soil analysis and livestream sales—proving that heritage and hashtags can coexist.

For travelers and culture enthusiasts, Mengding’s tea trails now offer VR-enhanced tours (yes, really!), while foodies rave about tea-infused fusion dishes. Want in? Follow Xu Yi’s journey to see how every sip tells a story of resilience—and maybe book your next adventure!

Reference(s):

BizFocus Ep.122: Traditional tea industry ushers in new life

cgtn.com