Qingyuan Jia Chayuan Courtyard! Mountain View Private Hot Spring, Stay Well, Play Well
Qingyuan Chayuan Courtyard, with its tranquil mountains and waters, fresh tea fragrance, and slow-paced lifestyle experience, has become a popular choice for short trips in the Pearl River Delta region. This guide will take you on an in-depth journey to experience the serene charm of Qingyuan’s tea gardens.
1. Key Highlights
· Tea Culture Immersion: Hand-pick tea leaves, make tea, and taste tea while learning about the production process of famous teas like Yingde Black Tea.
· Mountain and Rural Scenery: Tea gardens are mostly built along the mountains in layers, with morning sea of clouds creating a fairyland-like atmosphere.
· Slow Life Experience: Stay in a distinctive courtyard, escape the hustle and bustle, and enjoy the tranquility of drinking tea, reading, and walking.
· Eco-friendly Cuisine: Taste local specialties such as tea-flavored chicken, tea snacks, and mountain water tofu.
2. Recommended Tea Garden Courtyards
Name Location Main Features Suitable For
Jiqingli Black Tea Valley Hengshitang Town, Yingde City Large scale, stunning scenery, professional tea culture explanations and workshops. Families, tea culture enthusiasts, photography lovers
T-San Organic Tea Garden Shigutang Town, Yingde City Focuses on organic tea, modern minimalist design, rich experience programs. Young travelers, health-conscious visitors
Hongqi Tea Factory Yinghong Town, Yingde City Former state-owned tea factory transformed with nostalgic industrial and pastoral style, strong historical feel. Nostalgia lovers, visitors interested in tea history
Tianmengou Jiuzhou Station Shigutang Town, Yingde City Combines tea garden with forest treehouses and hot springs, unique and wild experience. Adventure seekers, families with children, couples
Yiluan Furo Hot Spring Resort Wangbu Town, Yingde City Combines tea garden with hot spring resort, Japanese style, highly comfortable. Vacationers seeking relaxation, couples
3. Classic Itinerary Suggestion (2 Days 1 Night)
Day 1: Immerse in Tea Mountains, Stay in Courtyard
· Morning: Drive from Guangzhou/Shenzhen (about 2-3 hours) to Yingde, Qingyuan. Head directly to the chosen tea garden (e.g., Jiqingli).
· Noon: Have lunch at the tea garden’s restaurant or nearby farmhouse, must-try tea-flavored chicken and mountain water tofu skin.
· Afternoon: Join a guided tea garden tour and tea picking experience (usually with a guide). Then watch or participate in tea making (withering, rolling, drying, etc.). Taste fresh tea in the tea room and learn brewing skills.
· Evening: Check into the tea garden courtyard or nearby guesthouse, enjoy the peaceful dusk.
· Night: Dine in the courtyard or guesthouse; if weather permits, stargaze and enjoy the quiet night.
Day 2: Between Mountains and Waters, Leisurely Return
· Morning: Wake early to admire the tea garden’s morning mist and sunrise. After breakfast, continue walking in the tea garden or visit nearby attractions:
· Fenglin Xiaozhen or Dongtian Wonderland (within 30 minutes by car): Enjoy the karst landscape of Yingxi Peak Forest.
· Xianqiao Underground River: Take a boat to explore the underground caves.
· Noon: Have farmhouse dishes near the attractions or on the way back.
· Afternoon: Buy tea leaves, dried bamboo shoots, and other local specialties, then return leisurely.
4. Transportation and Accommodation
· Transportation: Self-driving is highly recommended as tea gardens and nearby attractions are scattered and public transport is inconvenient. Set accurate destinations on your GPS.
· Accommodation:
· On-site tea garden lodging: such as T-San Tea Garden, Jiuzhou Station treehouses, offering the best experience but require advance booking.
· Unique guesthouses: Many stylish guesthouses in villages around the tea gardens offer good value.
· Hot spring hotels: like Yiluan Furo, suitable for travelers seeking comfortable vacations.
5. Food Recommendations
· Tea Cuisine: Tea-flavored chicken, tea leaf fried eggs, tea juice tofu, tea cakes.
· Local Qingyuan Dishes: Qingyuan white-cut chicken (the soul is in the dipping sauce), Beijiang river fresh fish (such as yellow catfish), Jiulong tofu, Zhouxin roasted pork.
· Farmhouse Dishes: Mountain pit snails, wild vegetables, bamboo shoots, and other seasonal dishes.
6. Travel Tips
1. Best Seasons: Spring (March-May) is tea picking season with the greenest tea gardens and rich activities; autumn (September-November) offers clear skies and is ideal for hiking and sightseeing; summer is good for cooling off but beware of mosquitoes and sun protection.
2. Dress Guide: Comfortable flat shoes (needed for walking in tea gardens), long sleeves and pants (to prevent insects and sunburn), and a light jacket (cool mornings and evenings in the mountains).
3. Booking: Accommodation and experience programs must be booked in advance during peak seasons (holidays and weekends).
4. Shopping: For tea purchases, buy from official tea gardens or brand stores for guaranteed quality.
5. Respect: Follow tea farmers’ guidance during tea picking and take care of the tea plants.