Yannanfei Tea Plantation Scenic Area in Meizhou City is located in Yanyang Town, Meixian District, Meizhou City, Guangdong Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The total area of the scenic area is 4.50 square kilometers, integrating tea production, ecological public welfare forest renovation, landscape greening, tourism, and vacation. The area features beautiful mountains and clear waters, with a spring-like climate throughout the year. It has vast tea plantations, with tea trees spreading across the mountains. The architectural style in the scenic area combines Hakka culture and modern elements. Buildings such as the Weilong Hotel not only have the charm of traditional Hakka architecture but also are equipped with modern facilities. The scenic area also has several tea culture exhibition areas and experience areas, allowing tourists to have an in-depth understanding of the processes of tea planting, picking, and making.
History and Culture
Meixian District, where the Yannanfei Tea Plantation Scenic Area is located, is a renowned hometown of the Hakka people, boasting profound Hakka cultural heritage. After the Hakka ancestors migrated southward, they worked hard on this land and formed a unique Hakka culture, covering aspects such as architecture, cuisine, and folk customs.
In terms of tea culture, the Meizhou area has a long history of tea planting. During its development, the Yannanfei Tea Plantation has inherited and carried forward the local tea culture tradition, combining tea planting, tea making, and tourism. This enables tourists to appreciate the beauty of the scenery while also experiencing the charm of tea culture.
The buildings in the scenic area mostly reflect the characteristics of Hakka Weilong houses. The Weilong house is a traditional Hakka residential building. Its unique architectural structure and layout not only have practical value but also contain rich cultural connotations, symbolizing the Hakka people's family values and spirit of unity.
Main Attractions
Yannanfei Magic Stone
The Yannanfei Magic Stone is one of the iconic attractions of the scenic area, located at the entrance of the scenic area. The five Chinese characters "Yannanfei Tea Plantation" are engraved on the magic stone, with vigorous and powerful calligraphy. Surrounded by green trees, the magic stone forms a delightful contrast with the tea plantation behind it, becoming a popular spot for tourists to take photos after entering the scenic area. Many tourists will stop here to admire the grandeur of the magic stone and feel the unique atmosphere of the scenic area. It also marks the beginning of a wonderful tea plantation tour.
Tea Plantation
The tea plantation of Yannanfei is the core landscape of the scenic area. The tea trees all over the mountains are lush and green, neatly arranged. Tourists can stroll along the paths in the tea plantation, breathe in the fresh tea fragrance, and enjoy the endless green scenery. During the tea-picking season, you can also see the busy figures of tea farmers and experience the fun of tea picking. There is a viewing platform beside the tea plantation. Standing on the platform, you can have a panoramic view of the entire tea plantation, making you feel relaxed and happy, as if you are in a green ocean.
Weilong Hotel
The Weilong Hotel is an important building in the scenic area, designed based on the model of the Hakka Weilong house and integrating modern construction technology and facilities. The hotel has a magnificent appearance and an elegant interior decoration. The hotel has various types of guest rooms to meet the needs of different tourists. At the same time, it is equipped with a restaurant, a conference room, entertainment facilities, etc. Here, tourists can not only enjoy a comfortable accommodation environment but also feel the strong Hakka cultural atmosphere from the architectural details and taste authentic Hakka cuisine.
Xiancha Pavilion
The Xiancha Pavilion is a place for displaying and tasting tea in the scenic area. Various high-quality teas are displayed in the pavilion, where tourists can learn about the types, characteristics, and production processes of tea. Professional tea art masters will perform tea art shows for tourists, demonstrating the skills and methods of making tea. Tourists can also personally taste the fragrant Hakka tea and feel the profoundness of tea culture. It is an excellent place to understand and experience tea culture.
Food
Salt-baked Chicken
Salt-baked chicken is a traditional famous dish in Meizhou, which can be tasted in the restaurants around the Yannanfei Tea Plantation Scenic Area. High-quality local free-range chickens are selected and cooked using the salt-baking method. The chicken has a golden color, with fragrant skin and tender meat, and even the bones are filled with a strong salt flavor. Salt-baked chicken not only tastes delicious but also is rich in nutrition. It is one of the representative Hakka dishes and is deeply loved by tourists.
Stuffed Tofu
Stuffed tofu is also a traditional Hakka delicacy. The middle of the tofu is hollowed out and filled with fillings made of ingredients such as pork and mushrooms, and then it is cooked. The tofu has a tender and smooth taste, and the filling is delicious and juicy, with a rich flavor. In the restaurants within the scenic area, tourists can taste this classic Hakka dish and feel the unique charm of Hakka food culture.
Meizhou Pickled Noodles
Meizhou pickled noodles are a local specialty snack. The thin noodles are cooked and then fished out, mixed with special seasonings such as lard, scallions, and soy sauce, emitting an attractive aroma. The noodles are chewy and are paired with a bowl of fragrant pork ball soup, which is a favorite breakfast choice for many people in Meizhou. In the snack shops around the scenic area, tourists can taste this simple and delicious snack.
Hakka Yellow Rice Wine
Hakka yellow rice wine is a characteristic beverage in Meizhou. It is brewed using traditional techniques, with a golden color, mellow taste, and rich aroma. In the restaurants within or around the scenic area, tourists can have a sip of Hakka yellow rice wine and feel the hospitality of the Hakka people. The yellow rice wine not only tastes good but also has certain health benefits. Moderate consumption is beneficial to the body.
Admission Tickets
The admission ticket price for Yannanfei Tea Plantation Scenic Area in Meizhou City is 80 yuan per person. Special groups such as children under 1.2 meters in height and the elderly over 70 years old (with valid certificates) are exempt from tickets. Children with a height between 1.2 meters and 1.5 meters, and the elderly between 60 and 69 years old (with valid certificates) can enjoy a half-price discount. Tourists can buy tickets at the ticket window at the entrance of the scenic area, or they can book tickets in advance through online travel platforms to save queuing time.
Opening Hours
Yannanfei Tea Plantation Scenic Area in Meizhou City is open throughout the year, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. The scenic area may adjust the opening hours according to actual situations, such as holidays and special events. It is recommended that tourists check the official website of the scenic area or relevant announcements before going to the scenic area to reasonably arrange their visiting time.
Itinerary for Visiting
One-day Itinerary: Arrive at the Yannanfei Tea Plantation Scenic Area in the morning. First, take a photo with the Yannanfei Magic Stone at the entrance of the scenic area. Then, stroll along the paths in the tea plantation to enjoy the scenery of the tea plantation. Tourists who are interested can also experience tea picking. Have lunch at a restaurant within the scenic area and taste Hakka cuisine such as salt-baked chicken and stuffed tofu. In the afternoon, go to the Xiancha Pavilion to watch the tea art performance and taste Hakka tea. Finally, visit the Weilong Hotel to feel the charm of Hakka architecture and end the day's journey.
Two-day Itinerary: After arriving at the scenic area in the morning on the first day, follow the one-day itinerary for visiting. Check in at the Weilong Hotel in the evening, taste the special dinner provided by the hotel, and feel the atmosphere of the tea plantation at night. You can take a walk around the hotel in the morning of the second day and breathe in the fresh air. In the morning, go to other attractions within the scenic area, such as the Tea Culture Museum, to have an in-depth understanding of tea culture and Hakka culture. After tasting Hakka cuisine again at noon, return in the afternoon.
Transportation
- Bus: There are buses from Meizhou urban area to Yanyang Town. Tourists can take a bus to Yanyang Town and then transfer to local transportation to reach the scenic area. However, the number of bus trips may be small, so it is necessary to know the departure time in advance.
- Self-driving: Self-driving is a more convenient way to get to the Yannanfei Tea Plantation Scenic Area. Starting from Meizhou urban area, drive along the relevant roads and follow the navigation instructions to reach the scenic area. There is a parking lot in the scenic area for tourists to park.
- Tourist Special Line Bus: Some travel agencies or tourism institutions will open tourist special line buses to the Yannanfei Tea Plantation Scenic Area. Tourists can choose to take them by consulting travel agencies or making online reservations. This method is relatively convenient and may include services such as tour guide explanations.
Must-visit Attractions
- Tea Plantation: The core landscape of the scenic area, with a vast area and lush tea trees. Tourists can stroll through it, experience the fun of tea picking, and overlook the whole scene from the viewing platform, feeling the pastoral scenery filled with the fragrance of tea.
- Weilong Hotel: Designed based on the model of the Hakka Weilong house and integrated with modern facilities. It has a magnificent appearance and an elegant interior. It can provide comfortable accommodation, and tourists can feel the strong Hakka culture from the architecture and taste Hakka cuisine.
- Xiancha Pavilion: An excellent place to understand and experience tea culture. It displays a variety of high-quality teas, and there are performances by professional tea art masters. Tourists can taste the fragrant Hakka tea and have an in-depth understanding of the profoundness of tea culture.
Suggestions for Visiting
- Find out the performance time of the scenic area in advance, such as the tea art performance time in the Xiancha Pavilion, and arrange the itinerary reasonably to avoid missing the wonderful performances.
- If you want to experience tea picking, it is recommended to go during the tea-picking season, and you can prepare tea-picking tools and suitable clothing in advance.
- When tasting Hakka cuisine, order food in moderation according to your own taste and appetite to avoid waste.
- When visiting in the scenic area, respect the local culture and customs, take good care of the environment, and do not pick tea leaves or damage the landscape at will.
- If you choose to stay in the Weilong Hotel within the scenic area, you can book a room in advance to get a better accommodation experience.
Precautions
- Some areas in the scenic area are tea planting areas. Tourists should abide by the regulations and do not enter at will to avoid affecting the growth and management of tea trees.
- When tasting alcoholic beverages such as Hakka yellow rice wine, drink in moderation to avoid getting drunk, which may affect your visit and personal safety.
- If you bring children to visit, take good care of their safety. Avoid letting them run and play around on the paths in the tea plantation to prevent falling and getting injured.
- When going to the scenic area in summer, take sun protection and mosquito prevention measures, because there are many mosquitoes in the tea plantation area and the sunlight is relatively strong.
- Take good care of your personal belongings, especially in places with a large number of people, such as restaurants and the entrance of the scenic area, to prevent the loss of your belongings.