Mengding Mountain, Sichuan Province – As dawn breaks over terraced fields shrouded in mist, generations of tea growers in southwest China's Sichuan Province are writing a new chapter for one of humanity's oldest industries. The spring harvest at Mengding Mountain – revered as the birthplace of Chinese tea culture – reveals how tradition and technology coexist in this US$20 billion national industry.
Local resident Wang Liyun, whose family has cultivated tea for four centuries, demonstrates the precise hand movements required to pluck delicate buds. 'Each feathery leaf carries our history,' she explains, while a drone buzzes overhead to monitor crop health. This juxtaposition of ancient techniques and smart agriculture characterizes modern tea production across the Chinese mainland.
The industry's transformation addresses global demands: blockchain-tracked supply chains now assure international buyers of authenticity, while climate-controlled processing facilities maintain consistent quality. Academic researchers from Sichuan University collaborate with growers to preserve heirloom tea varieties through DNA mapping.
For business analysts, the sector's 8% annual growth signals opportunities in organic certification and tea-tourism infrastructure. Over 120 boutique tea resorts have emerged along the Ancient Tea Horse Road in the past decade, blending cultural preservation with economic development.
