Tea festival whets taste buds in Zhoushan

The 11th China International Putuo Buddha Tea Cultural Festival opens in Putuo district, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province on April 16. [Photo/zj.zjol.com] 

Tea connoisseurs were out in force at the 11th China International Putuo Buddha Tea Cultural Festival which opened in Putuo district, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province on April 16. 

Hosted by China International Tea Culture Institute, Zhejiang Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the People's Government of Zhoushan, the festival is being held to promote the unique Buddha tea culture of the district. 

Buddha tea refers to the tea planted at Buddhist monasteries or tea used in Buddhist ceremonies. Putuo Buddha tea, also known as Yunwu tea, is planted on Mount Putuo, one of China's top four Buddhist mountains, and has become a brand of the district. 

Those present at the opening ceremony were treated to traditional music and dancing, with the local Buddhist culture and tea culture proudly on display.

A performance demonstrating Buddhist culture takes place at the opening ceremony. [Photo/zj.zjol.com] 

In the performances, we have included scenes portraying trade and commerce; this is in recognition of the fact that Putuo district was an important trading hub on the ancient Maritime Silk Road, said Zheng Wenhao, director of the festival.

The performances are really impressive, and we really get a strong sense of the local Buddha tea culture of the district, said Zhu Mei, representative of a company based in Shandong specializing in information technology and cultural businesses. Zhu went on to express a willingness to find business partners in the area.

An investment promotion meeting was held in the afternoon as part of the event. More than 200 representatives from 120 companies attended, with 11 projects agreed – covering areas such as the maritime industry, trade, precision medicine, energy and tourism. 

A Buddhist cultural and tourist items expo will be held at Putuo Fitness Center from April 19 to 22, with incense burners and other creative Buddhist cultural products on display. 

In addition, a tea drinking activity will take place at Shenjiamen Bei An Park on April 20, where visitors will be able to enjoy complimentary tea and attend a number of tea ceremonies, fairs and lectures.

A performance demonstrating local tea culture takes place at the opening ceremony. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]