From farm to cup: must-visit tea plantations in Asia

For many of us, tea is an everyday drink, and we seldom pay attention to its provenance in the tea-growing regions of Asia. Nor do we tend to approach it as being a particularly sophisticated drink with a wide variety of taste profiles and quality, as we do with wine, coffee, and craft beer. A visit to these tea plantations in Asia, especially the ancient tea gardens in China, may change your mind. Here we present some of our favorite ancient tea regions where you can learn to appreciate tea in all its glory.

12 beautiful tea plantations in Asia you should visit

Visit these regions to learn about tea cultivation and production—a must for avid tea lovers from around the world. Not only can you immerse yourself in the rich traditions, you can taste the unique flavors that make each area extraordinary.

Tea plantations in China

China has long been called the “Land of Tea” due to its long history with the hot drink. The country believes that it’s not only a pleasant-tasting drink, but also an elixir of health and an important part of cultural practices.

1. Hangzhou, Zhejiang province

Famous for Longjing (Dragonwell) green tea, Hangzhou is around an hour by bullet train from Shanghai, so it can be visited as a day trip. If you have the time, though, it’s worth spending a couple of nights here to explore the tea plantations.

Longjing tea has a long history dating back over 1,200 years, and was the tea designated for the Qing dynasty. Its distinctive nutty yet sweet taste is produced thanks to the region’s rainy and temperate climate, which brings out the flavor more.

The city also features China’s National Tea Museum, which displays artifacts dating back to the Qing dynasty alongside many tea-related exhibitions. The museum also offers guided tours and training classes that could turn any novice into an aficionado.

2. Xishuangbanna, Yunnan province

Located in the south of China’s Yunnan province, Xishuangbanna and the surrounding region have been China’s leading exporters of Pu’er tea (sometimes spelled pu-erh tea) for centuries. Its tropical climate is ideal for these ancient tea gardens to thrive in.

Tea traveled from here on the backs of horses along the ‘Tea Horse’ road, destined for Tibet, Beijing, and beyond. These days, newly wealthy Chinese businessmen pay thousands of dollars for aged and fermented Pu’er tea, said to lower blood cholesterol levels.

Its plantations are mainly found in the mountains, so you will require a guide to get there, but once there, you can learn all about the ancient techniques from tea picking to fermentation.

3. Jingmai Mountains, Yunnan province

The Jingmai Mountains are a UNESCO cultural landscape because they are considered to hold the oldest tea tree in the world. The Jinxiu Tea Tree is said to be over 3,200 years old and about a century older than the Shang dynasty.

To visit this living artifact, you’ll have to reach Xiangzhuqing village before driving to the mountains and taking a long hike. Or, you can enjoy the aromas of Jingmai Pu’er tea at a lower elevation at the tea houses in the area, stocked with leaves from the ancient tea plantations nearby.

India tea plantations

Explore India and discover how it became one of the largest tea producers in the world and why so many people consistently come here for a soothing cup of chai.

4. Darjeeling, West Bengal state

Perhaps nowhere conjures up images of tea quite like India’s Darjeeling. With a backdrop of jagged white Himalayan Peaks, pretty colonial-era buildings, and tea plantations, this is a great place to learn more about tea and develop a taste for the subtle delights.

Darjeeling’s distinctive black teas are often dubbed the “champagne of teas” because of their high quality and recognizable slight muscatel flavor. They are harvested in three flushes, each offering a different taste profile. The most notable plantations here are Happy Valley Tea Estate, Glenburn Tea Estate, and Makaibari Tea Estate. Each is steeped in hundreds of years of history and high-quality brews.

5. Assam state

Assam in northeastern India is known for its malty black teas, often used in breakfast blends like English Breakfast teas. The intense flavor and bright color are thanks to the fertile Brahmaputra valley soil and humid climate.

The state has many tea gardens established during the British colonial era, where you can have taste tests of the slight differences by region. Award-winning Halmari Tea Estate in Dibrugarh is perhaps the most popular thanks to its high-quality leaves, CTC (cut, tear, curl), and orthodox teas. Take a tour of the 924 acres (374 hectares) property to get a better idea of the hard work that goes into brewing a quality tea.

Sri Lanka tea plantations

The country was initially covered in coffee plantations, but Sri Lanka’s plantation owners switched to tea when their coffee was decimated by disease in the 19th century. Sri Lanka is one of the world’s leading tea exporters, famous for its high-quality Ceylon tea. Visiting gives you the unique opportunity to experience the tea-making process firsthand.

6. Nuwara Eliya, Hill Country

Visiting the country’s verdant ‘Hill Country’, tea plantations are everywhere, and there are plenty of opportunities to explore them. Nuwara Eliya is one of the best cities in Sri Lanka, thanks to its long history in tea production.

This city produces some of the country’s finest teas thanks to its high altitude, misty conditions, and cool climate, which helps the plants grow steadily, enhancing the delicate flavor. The area’s teas are known as the ‘Champagne of Ceylon teas’ because of their light, bright, and floral notes.

Have a tea tasting while overlooking the picturesque estates at Pedro Tea Plantation, or take a factory tour to see where the magic happens.

Tea plantations in Indonesia

Indonesia’s volcanic soil and tropical climate make it an ideal location for tea plantations to thrive. The country is the eighth-largest tea producer in the world and mainly dabbles in black tea.

7. Kayu Aro Tea Plantation, Sumatra

Sumatra is a western Indonesian island known for its lush green fields and tea gardens. The Kayu Aro Tea Plantation is located in a mountainous region. It was established during the Dutch colonial period and is one of the oldest tea estates in the country.

The plantation’s contribution of black teas with a robust and smoky profile significantly contributes to Indonesia’s tea industry. You can take a free tour of the plantation to learn how it goes from leaf to cup, blending traditional farming with modern processing.

8. Java

Visiting tea plantations is among the best things to do in Java. This volcano-dotted island lies between Bali and Sumatra and is a prominent tea-growing region. The fertile volcanic soil and tropical climate play an essential role in farming its renowned black teas.

There are a few plantations to visit on the island, and each region has a slightly different flavor profile. West Java’s plantations, like Rancabali Tea Plantation and Puncak Gunung Mas Tea Garden, have full-bodied and somewhat sweet teas. If you want a bolder taste, head to central and east Java to places like Wonosari Tea Garden and Kemuning Tea Garden.

Malaysia tea plantations

Take a west coast self-driving tour of Malaysia to experience a leisurely trip to the country’s tea terrace experiences. They are primarily concentrated in the Cameron Highlands, where you’ll find a patchwork of rolling hills filled with black tea all around.

9. Cameron Highlands, Pahang

Cameron Highlands is one of Malaysia’s top destinations, thanks to many beautiful landscapes that are ideal for excursions and adventures. The elevated region has been used for tea cultivation since the early 20th century, producing sweet and mild teas. The foggy climate and fertile soils also give a recognizable hint of floral to every cup.

Visit Boh Plantation, the largest tea plantation in Southeast Asia, and see the tea factory up close to see the process that produces the award-winning teas. Then, swing by the gift shop and restaurant where you can taste these unique flavors for yourself.

Bharat Tea Plantation, the second-largest tea producer in the area, is another worthwhile farm to visit. Although there aren’t any tours available, having a snack and a pot of tea is an excellent way to learn about this flavor profile.

Vietnam tea plantations

While Vietnam is better known for its rice fields and coffee, it is also a large tea producer in Asia. Its rugged mountains and tropical climate have been used to cultivate these flavorful leaves for over 1,000 years.

10. Ha Giang province

Ha Giang province in northern Vietnam is famed for its Shan Tuyet tea, which has a slightly bitter-sweet taste. Tea farming here is done mainly on a small scale, harvested and processed by hand.

Famous plantations in the area are Phin Ho Tea Plantation, Cao Bo Tea Village, and Lung Phin Tea Plantation. Visit here to see the cool climate, rich biodiversity, and a warm cup of these green and black teas.

11. Yen Bai province

Yen Bai, also in northern Vietnam, is a notable tea-growing area focusing on high-quality white and green teas. Harvested using traditional methods, the area’s mao cha (unfinished tea) is highly sought in the tea-drinking community.

Visit Nghia Lo tea plantation for an immersive tour of the tea-making process. You can also join the tea-picking practice and have a tea tasting on site, accompanied by live music from local people.

Bhutan tea plantations

Bhutan, on the eastern ridges of the Himalayas, has ample hills perfect for tea farms. The high altitude and cool climate here are also suitable for enhancing flavor profiles.

12. Chengmari, Samtse District

Chengmari is a notable tea-growing region home to the biggest tea plantation in Asia. The plantation is blessed with two rivers, Diana and Carron, running on either side, providing 100% irrigation to the terraced fields.

The 100-year-old family-owned Chengmari Tea Estate, which stretches over 4,500 acres (1,821 hectares), sits at the foothills of Bhutan. Known mainly for its exceptional green tea production, Chengmari sells over 1.5 billion cups annually and produces 3.3 million kilograms of tea yearly.

Top tips for visiting tea farms and plantations

• Wear comfortable clothing – Plantations are typically a few hundred acres big, so expect to walk a lot.
• Respect customs – For some countries, tea ceremonies are deeply entwined with the local culture. So, try to be respectful and listen to the guides to not offend the local people.
• Bring an umbrella – Plantations are typically in tropical climates, so a few drops are to be expected.
• Bring sunscreen and mosquito repellent – Better to be safe than sorry!

Best time to visit Asian tea fields

The best time to visit a plantation for tea is during harvest season. This varies depending on where you’re going, so you must plan ahead.
Sri Lanka’s harvest seasons are typically from March to May and then from September to November. India and China, on the other hand, are from March to October, specifically in spring and fall.

FAQs about tea gardens and plantations

Here are a few “steeping” questions many have about the sprawling tea plantations in Asia. Whether relating to growing tea or its harvesting, here are all the answers to your questions.

Where is tea grown?

Tea is mainly grown in Africa, Asia, South America, and regions around the Caspian and Black Seas.

Where was tea first cultivated?

While it is difficult to confirm with certainty, tea cultivation most likely began thousands of years ago on China’s Meng Mountains (蒙山) near Chengdu. This is the region where the earliest written references to tea originate.

What are the top 5 tea-producing countries?

The top countries that produce tea are China, India, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Kenya.

Which is the largest tea plantation in Asia?

Chengmari in Bhutan is the largest tea plantation in Asia. The tea fields spread over 4,447 acres (1,800 hectares) and produce over 3,306 tons of black tea and 1,102 tons of green tea.

What plant is green tea made from?

Green tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant. This tea leaf plant is also the same plant that black and oolong teas are made from.

Make it happen

After exploring the lush landscapes and vibrant tea cultures of Asia’s most celebrated plantations, you’ll see tea in a whole new light—as a journey of discovery, flavor, and tradition. All our trips are private and can be tailor-made to your requirements and dates. Let your next adventure steep in the unforgettable beauty of Asia’s tea country.