Welcome back to our countdown! In Part I, we embarked on a historic journey through the emperor's favorites in Longjing, scaled the volcanic cliffs of Da Hong Pao in the Wuyi Mountains, and walked the ancient paths of the Tea Horse Road in Pu'er.
But China's immense tea geography has so much more to yield. From yellow teas guarded by Taoist monks to dark tea bricks packed for caravans across the Silk Road, the remaining ten landmarks offer an incredible deep-dive into specialized processing methods and stunning landscapes.
Below is the complete Part II of our guide, detailing destinations 11 through 20 across China.
Quick Overview of Part II Tea Destinations
11. Junshan Island (Yueyang, Hunan)
Floating like an emerald gem inside Dongting Lake, this tiny island is the exclusive birthplace of Junshan Yinzhen (Silver Needle Yellow Tea)—the rarest yellow tea in the world, prized for its gentle smothering process (Menghuang) that removes grassy bitterness.
How to Get There: Take a high-speed train to Yueyang East Station, then catch a local city bus or Didi taxi across the Dongting Lake Bridge directly to the Junshan Island Scenic Dock.
What to Eat: Taste Dongting Lake Braised Carp, caught fresh from the surrounding waters and cooked with local chilies and wild scallions.
Where to Stay: Pullman Yueyang (modern luxury on the waterfront) or cozy lakeside guesthouses on the mainland facing the island.
12. Liu'an City (Lu'an, Anhui)
Nestled at the base of the Dabie Mountains, Liu'an produces Liu'an Gua Pian (Melon Seed Tea). It is unique among Chinese green teas because it is processed strictly using only the central leaf blades, completely removing all buds and stems.
How to Get There: Take a direct bullet train to Lu'an Railway Station, then rent a vehicle or take a regional transit bus 1 hour south into the mountainous Jinzhai County.
What to Eat: Enjoy Liu'an Farmhouse Goose Stew (六安土鹅煲), featuring free-range goose slow-cooked with root vegetables in a thick, savory gravy.
Where to Stay: Suning Universal Hotel Lu'an or mountain eco-resorts tucked inside the Dabie Mountain National Forest Park.
13. Mount Mengding (Ya'an, Sichuan)
Holding the historic title of the oldest recorded tea plantation in human history, Mount Mengding produces Mengding Ganlu (Sweet Dew). It has been cultivated continuously since the Western Han Dynasty (approx. 53 BC).
How to Get There: Take a high-speed train from Chengdu to Ya'an Station (1 hour), then jump into a local taxi or shuttle bus for a brief 20-minute ride to the Mengding scenic base.
What to Eat: Indulge in Ya'an Fish in Sandpot (雅安砂锅鱼), featuring locally caught river fish simmered with wild mushrooms in a deeply nourishing broth.
Where to Stay: Crowne Plaza Ya'an or traditional Taoist-themed wellness retreats situated right on the misty slopes of Mount Mengding.
14. Ya'an City (Ya'an, Sichuan)
Beyond green tea, Ya'an is the undisputed capital of Tibetan Dark Tea (Zang Cha). For centuries, factories here have pressed robust, post-fermented tea leaves into dense, heavy bricks specifically packed for mule caravans crossing the high Himalayan passes into Lhasa.
How to Get There: Accessible via the same Ya'an Railway Station routes from Chengdu. The historic processing factories are scattered along the old borders of town.
What to Eat: Savor Bifengxia Bamboo Shoot Chicken, utilizing incredibly tender, young bamboo tips and mountain free-range chicken.
Where to Stay: Bifengxia Hotel (located near the panda base) or boutique tea-warehouse conversions along the Qingyi River.
15. Menghai County (Xishuangbanna, Yunnan)
Located deep in the tropical rainforests bordering Myanmar, Menghai is the industrial powerhouse of Pu-erh tea refinement, home to the legendary Menghai Tea Factory (TAETEA) and ancient, wild tea trees over 800 years old.
How to Get There: Fly into Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport (JHG), then rent a car or take an express shuttle bus 1 hour west along the scenic, tropical G214 Highway.
What to Eat: Experience vibrant Dai-style Lemongrass Grilled Fish, where fresh tilapia is stuffed with local herbs, wrapped over bamboo, and charred on open charcoal.
Where to Stay: DoubleTree by Hilton Resort Xishuangbanna (nearby in Jinghong) or boutique minority-run ethnic eco-lodges in the Nannuo Mountain tea villages.
16. Mount Heng (Hengyang, Hunan)
As the Southern Sacred Mountain of China, Mount Heng produces Hengshan Maojian. The tea fields wind beautifully around historic Taoist monasteries and dense pine forests, creating a deeply clean, vegetative cup.
How to Get There: Take a direct bullet train to Hengyang East Railway Station or Hengshan West Station, then take a 15-minute tourist bus right to the mountain ticket office.
What to Eat: Fuel up with fiery Hunan Spicy Crawfish (麻辣小龙虾), heavily seasoned with garlic, local ginger, and intense dried red chilies.
Where to Stay: Hengyang Grand Hotel or a traditional temple lodging experience on the upper tiers near the Zhurong Peak summit.
17. Guzhang County (Xiangxi, Hunan)
Located within the breathtaking Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guzhang produces Guzhang Maojian. The high-altitude, iron-rich soil gives this green tea an incredibly bright, refreshing, and high-umami mouthfeel.
How to Get There: Take a bullet train to Guzhang West Station or fly into Zhangjiajie Airport, then drive a rental car 1.5 hours south through the dramatic karst bridge terrain.
What to Eat: Taste authentic Xiangxi Cured Smoked Pork (湘西腊肉), wood-smoked for months over pine needles and chili skins, fried up with wild garlic shoots.
Where to Stay: Wanda Realm Neijiang (in the regional city hub) or charming riverside minority stilt-houses (Diaojiaolou) in nearby Furong Ancient Town.
18. Tiger Hill / Huqiu (Suzhou, Jiangsu)
While Suzhou is famous for green tea, its historic Tiger Hill district is the spiritual heart of artisanal Jasmine Pearl Scented Tea. During summer nights, fresh Jasmine flowers are layered repeatedly with green tea pearls until the fragrance is fully absorbed.
How to Get There: Located right within downtown Suzhou. A quick Didi taxi or Subway Line 2 trip takes you straight to the Tiger Hill Scenic Area.
What to Eat: Try Suzhou Sweet Braised Pork Ribs (Wuxi Style), coated in a glossy, deeply satisfying sweet reduction that cuts through summer heat.
Where to Stay: Hotel Nikko Suzhou or beautiful boutique courtyard stays right along the old Shantang Canal loop facing Tiger Hill.
19. Xinhua County (Loudi, Hunan)
Xinhua County houses the spectacular Ziquejie Rice Terraces and produces Xinhua Junshan Black Tea. The high-elevation mountain farms generate a rich, deep black tea leaf that yields sweet notes of cooked sweet potato and honey.
How to Get There: Take a high-speed rail train to Xinhua South Station, then rent a vehicle or coordinate a local private driver to reach the terrace valleys.
What to Eat: Challenge your palate with a boiling Hunan Smoked Tofu Pot, heavily spiked with fresh green mountain chilies and wild peppercorns.
Where to Stay: Cozy, rustic wooden eco-lodges built right on stilts overlooking the sweeping tiers of the Ziquejie Terraces.
20. Tongmu Village (Wuyi Mountains, Fujian)
Tucked deep inside the strictly protected core zone of the Wuyi National Nature Reserve, the isolated valley of Tongmu is the precise birthplace of Lapsang Souchong (Zhengshan Xiaozhong)—the world's first true black tea, traditionally dried over burning pine logs for its unmistakable smoky character.
How to Get There: Access is highly restricted to control pollution. You must arrive via Wuyishan North Station, then arrange an official permit and private pickup through a registered tea estate located inside the nature reserve gates.
What to Eat: Enjoy Pine-Smoked Pork Ribs, utilizing the same aromatic pinewood used in the tea-drying rooms for an incredible culinary symmetry.
Where to Stay: Jiaye Mountain House (outside the gates) or exclusive, high-end private tea plantation log cabins hidden inside the protected Tongmu valleys.
Final Thoughts for the Ultimate Tea Pilgrimage
Across China's vast geography, tea is not a mere commodity—it is a map of the Earth's soil, historic dynasties, and human craftsmanship. By stepping away from the generic souvenir shops and driving yourself directly to these 20 historic mountain villages, you can taste the pristine origin of each leaf right from the hands that pan-fry them.
Did you miss the first half of our epic countdown? Head back to [The Ultimate Tea Lover's Guide: 20 Historic Tea Places in China (Part I)] to plan your ultimate itinerary!
Which historic tea variety are you most excited to taste at the source? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
