It’s tea season once again, and the 7th China International Tea Expo (CITE) is in full swing at Hangzhou International Expo Center. Tea enthusiasts from around the globe are flocking to Hangzhou, the “Tea Capital of China,” to immerse themselves in the world of tea and connect over a shared cup.
The event boasts participation of prominent tea brands, including industry leaders like China Tea, Shifeng, and Lu Zhenghao. Beyond the established names, innovative tea beverages, eye-catching packaging designs, and cutting-edge tea processing machinery are also generating significant buzz. With a long history of tea cultivation, Hangzhou is widely regarded as a cradle of Chinese tea culture. In recent years, the city has been actively championing its tea heritage, bolstering its tea industry, and pushing the boundaries of tea technology, with the goal of driving high-quality growth across its entire tea sector. In 2024, Hangzhou’s tea plantations covered 558,000 mu (approximately 372 km²) and produced 33,000 tons of tea, representing a 5.3% increase over the previous year.
Hangzhou, widely recognized as the “Tea Capital of China,” showcases the advancements of its tea industry each year through the Hangzhou Pavilion at the China International Tea Expo. This year, the pavilion occupies 645 square meters in Hall 3C of the International Expo Center, hosting 51 tea companies representing nine districts and counties of Hangzhou. Designed around the concept of a “Beautiful Tea Capital,” the pavilion centers on the theme of “Development of AI as a New Quality Productive Force in Hangzhou.” It highlights the city’s natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and the unique characteristics of its ten famous teas and those from its nine districts and counties, offering visitors an immersive experience of the local tea culture. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in Hangzhou’s unique tea culture through a captivating exhibition that blends tradition with innovation.
The exhibition space is divided into a showcase area and a sales area. The showcase area features a wide variety of teas, including the renowned West Lake Longjing, products from the Longjing Tea Cluster Project, other celebrated local teas, innovative tea beverages, and delectable tea snacks. In the sales area, visitors can purchase an extensive selection of high-quality tea products, ranging from traditional favorites to new innovations. On-site tea sampling is encouraged, allowing guests to discover their perfect brew to take home.
The China International Tea Expo runs through May 25. Visitors can enjoy on-site tastings, or experience the expo online by searching “Cloud Tea Expo” in the Taobao mobile app. There, you’ll find live broadcasts and exclusive, limited-time deals on new teas.