No chill in winter, but tea warms the heart — Wuyi Mountain keeps you cozy as winter arrives.

       As Lidong (the Beginning of Winter) approaches, the north is already bleak and desolate, the south feels the bone-chilling cold, yet the climate of Wuyi Mountain resembles that of a well-preserved beauty, as if time has stood still — there’s no trace of winter’s bleakness, only beautiful mountains and clear waters, with a mildly cool and refreshing feel. Therefore, during this season, Wuyi Mountain not only becomes the venue for many international and domestic sporting events, but is also a top choice for travelers looking to avoid peak seasons. Of course, it's also the season that tea aficionados look forward to the most — with various high-level tea competitions and a dazzling array of tea expos set to take center stage.

Autumn in Wuyi (Photo by Yu Zelan)

It is reported that until the end of November, Wuyi Mountain will host a series of sports and tea-themed activities. These include: 2019 Great Wuyi International Cross-Country Trail Race (Nov 2–3), 2019 Wuyi Mountain International Marathon (Nov 10), 2019 Wuyi Mountain International Roller Skating Festival (Nov 23–24), 2019 4th “Wuyi Mountain Da Hong Pao Cup” Chinese Tea Masters Skills Competition (Oct 28–31), 13th Straits Cross-Strait Tea Expo (Nov 16–18), Tianxin Village Tea Competition (Nov 18–20), and 12th Wuyi Mountain “China Tea Town Cup” Tea King Competition (Nov 23–24).

Wuyi Mountain International Marathon

Speed demons, take note!: From October 31 to November 2, Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area is offering a special 1-yuan flash sale on main scenic area admission tickets (3-day pass) via Ctrip. Visitors can search for “Wuyi Mountain Tickets” on the homepage of the Ctrip app to find the “Special Flash Sale”!

[No Chill in Winter, Stunning Scenery — Wuyi is Perfect for Both Travel and Sports]

As one of China’s top ten famous mountains and a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site, Wuyi Mountain in this season is actually the most comfortable time of the year. Without the summer crowds or National Day holiday rush, the town regains its tranquility and leisurely charm. With neither extreme cold nor heat, the temperature is perfect for donning lovely autumn outfits to explore mountains and waters. On sunny days, the lighting is ideal for photography, and the scenic area is especially rich in negative ions, living up to its reputation as a “natural oxygen bar.”

Soaring to the Skies — Tianyou Pavilion (Photo by Chen Meizhong)

This season, you don’t have to worry about when to drift down the Nine Bend Stream to avoid the sun; this season, if you hike to the summit of Tianyou Peak early in the morning, you’re very likely to encounter sea of clouds — mountains hidden in clouds, clouds swirling at your feet, ensuring great photo ops; this season, you can leisurely stroll along the Rock Bone & Floral Fragrance Slow Trail, experiencing the canyon path where “the essence of mountains and rivers converge, and the flavor of rock bones and floral aromas shines”; this season, wild delicacies are abundant, and fruits are all ripe...

Sea of Clouds at Tianyou (Photo by Chen Meizhong)

The beautiful mountains and waters, coupled with the pleasant climate of Wuyi Mountain, also attract numerous international and domestic sporting events here — the 2019 Great Wuyi International Cross-Country Trail Race, 2019 Wuyi Mountain International Marathon, and 2019 Wuyi Mountain International Roller Skating Festival. While competing, athletes can also enjoy a full tour of Wuyi Mountain, taste Da Hong Pao tea, and visit the Wuyi Mountain Tea Expo along the race routes.

Great Wuyi International Cross-Country Trail Race

[Masters Compete in Tea Tastings, Wuyi Rock Tea Warms the Heart]

No other tea can become a legend like Da Hong Pao. Historically, Wuyi tea was an envoy of peace along the ancient Silk Road; Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong (Lapsang Souchong) gave birth to the popular Western tradition of afternoon tea. In modern times, Da Hong Pao was the state gift tea that Chairman Mao Zedong offered as “half a kingdom.” Today, Da Hong Pao is the only modern tea housed in the National Museum of China.

If you understand tea, don’t miss the vibrant tea competitions where hundreds of teas compete; if you’re new to tea, you must experience the charm of tea culture and the joy of tea drinking in Wuyi Mountain. In the mildly cool early winter, whether in a courtyard or amidst the mountains and waters, watch tea masters perform their elegant brewing techniques, sip the millennia-old richness of Wuyi tea, let the fragrance linger on your lips and teeth, and feel an indescribable warmth spread through your body — enough to warm the heart.

Savoring Tea Amidst Mountains and Waters (Photo by Lao Chi)

The 13th Straits Cross-Strait Tea Expo, held from November 16 to 18, is a grand “tea” feast. The expo is dedicated to promoting Chinese tea culture and highlighting the essence of “Wuyi Tea Ceremony,” with themes covering “Tea Culture,” “Tea Health,” “Tea Utensils,” “Tea Food,” “Tea Equipment,” and “Tea Tourism.” This year’s exhibition features products across six major tea categories: oolong, black, white, dark, green, and yellow teas; premium tea utensils made of clay, ceramic, glass, and metal; various tea packaging such as wooden boxes, bamboo, paper, and metal tins; as well as tea machinery and accessories.

Straits Cross-Strait Tea Expo

What does the ultimate showdown in the world of rock tea look like? From November 18 to 20, the Tianxin Village Tea Competition held in Tianxin Village, Wuyi Mountain, is the highest-level event in the rock tea circle, often referred to as the “Oscars” of rock tea. Historical records indicate that Tianxin Village’s tea competition tradition dates back to the Tang Dynasty, with over 800 years of tea-brewing battles. By the Northern Song Dynasty, the teas judged were regarded as “tribute teas” presented to the emperor — a testament to its prestige. This year, who will claim the title of Tea King in this legendary showdown?

Wuyi Mountain Tea Competition

Winter has arrived, and the fragrance of tea fills the air. Come to Wuyi Mountain and warm up this winter with us!(Text by Dong Chenyan) (All photos provided by Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area)