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Tea Tourism: Exploring Tea Estates and Plantations

A Food Fun Travel Guest Post

Tea, one of the world’s most popular and extensively consumed beverages, has a long and fascinating history. Tea plantations and estates have played an important part in the worldwide wholesale tea business for centuries. Tea tourism has arisen in recent years, providing tea fans and curious travellers with the opportunity to see these tea estates and plantations first-hand.  

Tea evokes the things we seek: tranquility, warmth, and life, as well as the faraway hills that give rise to them. We appreciate tea in the coziness of our own homes as a beverage that may recall memories of simpler times. However, leaving our comfort zone and interacting more closely with all of our senses in the lovely tea gardens is an altogether different experience. This beverage is so revitalising that when properly produced, it has the ability to rejuvenate you in a way that a cooled aerated drink cannot.

Insight To Tea Tourism

Tea, with its relaxing aroma and rich flavours, has been treasured for generations by people all over the world. Tea tourism, also known as tea travel or tea tours, has grown in popularity as an immersive and educational experience for people who want to learn about the tea-making process and its cultural significance. It’s no surprise that tea tourism, a distinct type of agritourism, has grown in popularity among travellers looking for immersive experiences.

Tea estates and plantations provide tourists a unique opportunity to delve into the world of tea manufacturing, from the scenic tea gardens of Darjeeling in India to the undulating hills of the Nuwara Eliya region in Sri Lanka.

Top Places to Go on a Tea Tour

  1. Darjeeling, India: 

The Darjeeling region of West Bengal, India, is a popular tea tourism destination. Darjeeling, located in the Himalayan foothills, is well-known for its high-quality tea production. Visitors to Darjeeling’s tea estates can watch tea leaves being plucked and processed, engage with local tea workers, and even try their hand at tea harvesting. Known as the “Champagne of Teas,” Darjeeling is a well-known tea-growing region in the Himalayan foothills. With their terraced slopes and hazy air, the gorgeous tea gardens produce some of the world’s finest black, green, and white teas. The stunning scenery and panoramic views of tea estates in the region make it an ideal destination for both tea aficionados and environment enthusiasts.

  1. Assam, India:

Assam, a state in northeastern India, is known as the “Tea Capital of the World.” Assam, with its lush tea gardens and rich tea tradition, provides a compelling tea tourism experience for both lovers and travellers. Assam is famous for its large tea estates that span acres of land, producing a mesmerising picture of undulating hills and green valleys. The tropical temperature, fertile soil, and abundant rainfall in the region make it ideal for tea cultivation. 

Visitors to Assam can take guided tours of tea estates and observe the tea plucking process firsthand. They can learn about the various tea varieties grown in the region, as well as the technique of hand-picking tea leaves and interacting with tea workers, who play an important role in the tea business.

There are various tea factories in Assam that process freshly harvested tea leaves. Touring these companies allows you to learn about tea processing procedures like withering and rolling, as well as fermenting and drying. Visitors can watch the machinery in action and learn about the numerous procedures involved in converting tea leaves into the finished product.

Assam Tea Tourism takes you on an enthralling journey through India’s tea capital. Assam’s lush tea estates, rich heritage, and friendly hospitality provide tea connoisseurs with an immersive experience. Assam offers a one-of-a-kind and spectacular tea tourism experience, from seeing huge tea farms and observing the tea-making process to indulging in tea tasting sessions and experiencing the colonial-era charm of heritage bungalows. 

A trip to Assam will leave you with a deep appreciation for the art, flavours, and cultural significance of Assam tea, whether you’re a tea aficionado or simply a lover of this aromatic beverage. Here are two tea estates:

  • Addabarie Tea Estate: A Delightful Tea Tourism Experience in Assam: The Addabarie Tea Estate, nestled amid the scenic sceneries of Assam, provides guests with a great tea tourism experience. Addabarie, known for its high-quality tea production and magnificent settings, offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to immerse oneself in the region’s rich tea culture. With its breathtaking beauty, immersive tea experiences, and friendly hospitality, Addabarie Tea Estate embodies the spirit of tea tourism in Assam. 


It offers guests an authentic and enlightening trip into the world of tea, where they can interact with the tea-growing process, appreciate the workmanship involved, and enjoy the flavours that have made Assam tea famous throughout the world. A trip to Addabarie is a true tea celebration and a unique experience for tea lovers and travellers alike.

  • Heritage North East Thengal Manor: North East Thengal Manor in Assam provides an enthralling tea tourism experience that combines the region’s tea tradition with the grandeur of a colonial-era home. Every aspect of the experience transports visitors to a bygone period, from the manor’s exquisite architecture and heritage housing to the adjacent tea gardens that display the grandeur of Assam’s tea valley. 

Tea tasting sessions, guided tea garden visits, and gastronomic pleasures add to the immersion in Assam’s tea culture. A visit to the North East Thengal Manor is a voyage into tea legacy as well as an opportunity to experience the artistry, flavours, and natural beauty that define Assam’s tea industry.

  1. Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka: 

Moving on to Sri Lanka, the Nuwara Eliya region is another must-see tea tourism location. This location, known as “Little England,” has a cold climate and foggy mountains, making it ideal for tea cultivation. Nuwara Eliya’s picturesque tea estates allow visitors to explore lush green fields, visit tea factories, and engage in tea-tasting sessions. 

Tea fans can also learn about the various types of tea produced in Sri Lanka, such as Ceylon black tea and white tea, as well as acquire insights into the tea-making process.  Ceylon tea is famed in this region for its bright, fragrant, and full-bodied flavour. Tea excursions in Nuwara Eliya allow visitors to visit tea factories, observe tea processing procedures, and enjoy panoramic views of the hills’ tea plantations.

  1. Hangzhou, China: 

Tea tourism has a long history in China, the birthplace of tea. Tourists from all over the world visit the country’s tea estates, particularly in Hangzhou, Fujian, and Yunnan. Tea ceremonies are available for visitors to learn about the skill of making tea and its significance in Chinese culture. The tea gardens of China offer a quiet and tranquil setting in which visitors can immerse themselves in the history and heritage of tea. 

As one of the birthplaces of tea culture, Hangzhou, China, is a must-see for tea lovers. Longjing tea, commonly known as Dragon Well tea, is famous in the city. Tea estates dot the gorgeous West Lake area, where visitors may learn about the laborious process of hand-picking tea leaves, visit tea houses, and participate in tea ceremonies to immerse themselves in the art of tea appreciation. 

  1. Munnar, India: 

Housed in Kerala’s Western Ghats, Munnar is a beautiful hill station known for its tea estates. With their brilliant green landscapes and mist-covered hills, the region’s tea plantations create a dreamlike environment. Visitors can take guided tours of tea factories, observe the tea-making process, and gaze out over the tea gardens. Munnar is well-known for its flavorful and aromatic Nilgiri tea, making it a must-see destination for tea connoisseurs.

  1. Boseong, South Korea: 

Boseong is famed for its enormous tea farms that span across undulating hills in South Korea’s Jeollanam-do region. Boseong Nokcha, the region’s green tea, is famous for its fresh and grassy flavour. Tea lovers can visit the tea gardens, take part in tea-picking excursions, and even participate in tea-making ceremonies. The annual Boseong Green Tea Plantation Festival is a must-see for visitors looking to immerse themselves in tea culture.

  1. Cameron Highlands, Malaysia: 

Located in Malaysia’s Titiwangsa Mountains, the Cameron Highlands is a beautiful and verdant region known for its tea plantations. Its cold climate and good soil make it an ideal place for tea cultivation. Visitors can tour tea estates, go on tea factory tours, and learn about the tea producing process. Sipping a cup of freshly brewed Cameron Highlands tea while taking in the magnificent views of the undulating hills is an unforgettable experience.

Tea tourism is not exclusive to Asia. Kenya, Argentina, and Japan also provide distinct tea-related experiences. Kenya, one of the world’s major tea producers, welcomes visitors to see its extensive tea farms, observe the tea-plucking process, and learn about the socioeconomic impact of tea production on local populations. Argentina’s Misiones district is famous for its yerba mate farms, where visitors may learn about traditional mate production methods and partake in mate tasting sessions. In Japan, the Uji region near Kyoto is famous for its matcha tea production, and tea enthusiasts can learn about Japanese tea culture by participating in tea ceremonies and visiting tea museums.

Tea Adventure: A Journey of Knowledge and Exploration

A tea excursion is not only a lovely experience, but also an opportunity to broaden one’s knowledge and discover the complex world of tea. A tea expedition may give a thrilling journey of exploration and learning whether you are a tea fan, an expert, or simply inquisitive about this ancient beverage. Let’s look at how a tea excursion might help you gain information and better appreciate the art and culture of tea. 

Final Thoughts

Tea tourism not only allows visitors to interact with tea producers, but it also helps the local economy of tea-growing regions. It contributes to the creation of sustainable livelihoods for tea workers and the preservation of tea history and customs. Tea tourism also encourages cultural interchange and increases understanding and appreciation of various tea kinds and practises around the world.