What this FAQ covers
The Yiwu fieldtrip is a service of tea.services that takes a small group into the heart of Yunnan’s ancient tea mountains, under the guidance of senior tea expert Fang Ting. This page answers the practical questions that arise before you apply: who the trip is designed for, what kind of tea experience is expected, how to complete the application, and how payments and cancellations work.
Yiwu is one of the six famous tea mountains, and its soft, honey-toned shēng pǔ’ěr has earned a cult following among collectors. You will walk among trees that are centuries old, see how tea is processed in family-run workshops, and sit down for focused tastings that connect the leaf in your cup with the soil, slope, and mist of the mountain. Crushing a fresh máochá bud between your fingers releases a bright, grassy aroma that already carries the floral sweetness that will deepen over decades of ageing.
The application process exists not to create barriers but to ensure that every participant is ready for the physical demands and can fully engage with the material. For a deeper look at Yiwu’s terroir and the micro-regions we visit, see puerh.app. If you would like to hear from people who have joined previous fieldtrips, tea.community has threads where past participants share their impressions. The answers below cover the details, from your deposit timing to the invitation letter we provide for your visa.
Common questions
Who is this fieldtrip for?
The trip suits anyone who has brewed Chinese tea seriously for a year or more and wants to stand in the gardens where their shēng pǔ’ěr was born. You might be a home gongfu enthusiast, a tea professional, or a collector looking to understand provenance first-hand. There is no rigid gate, but we find that participants who can follow a simple gongfu session and talk about tea get the most from the seven days.
Do I need prior pu’er knowledge?
Some familiarity helps — knowing the difference between shēng and shú pǔ’ěr, for example — but Fang Ting tailors the daily tastings to the group’s level. You will taste young Yìwǔ Shān sheng alongside semi-aged samples, and she explains how the tea’s mouthfeel and aroma evolve. For pre-reading, puerh.app has excellent articles on Yiwu’s villages.
What level of gongfu tea practice is expected?
We ask that you can comfortably brew tea with a gaiwan or small teapot and control basic parameters — leaf amount, water temperature, infusion length. You don’t need to be a master, but some hands-on gongfu time at home is strongly encouraged. If you want to refresh your technique, tea.school runs short online sessions that align well with the fieldtrip preparation.
How do I apply?
Fill in the application form on the fieldtrip service page at tea.services. The form asks about your tea background, why you want to visit Yiwu, and any physical limitations we should know about. There is no fee to apply. Fang Ting and the tea.services team review applications together and usually respond within five working days.
What questions are on the application?
You’ll be asked to describe your experience with Chinese tea (years, styles, favourite teas), your comfort with hiking on uneven forest terrain, and your motivation for joining the fieldtrip. A short answer about one memorable tea session often helps us understand your palate. None of this is a test — it helps Fang Ting shape the itinerary.
Is there a deposit?
Yes. Once your application is accepted, a deposit of 30% of the total fieldtrip fee secures your place. This must be paid within seven calendar days of acceptance. The deposit is refundable according to the cancellation policy outlined below.
When is the full balance due?
The remaining 70% is payable no later than 60 days before the departure date. We send a reminder around 75 days out, and the payment can be settled securely through tea.services. If the balance has not been received by the deadline, your booking may be released to the waitlist.
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
Cancel more than 90 days before departure and you receive a full refund of your deposit. Between 60 and 90 days, 50% of the deposit is refunded; less than 60 days, the deposit becomes non-refundable. The balance payment is fully refundable up to 30 days before departure. After that, we cannot offer refunds because local arrangements are confirmed.
How many people are on each fieldtrip?
We keep the group small — between six and eight participants — so that Fang Ting can work closely with everyone. A smaller group also moves quietly through the gardens and works better in the family-run workshops where we watch shā qīng (kill-green) and rolling.
Does tea.services help with my Chinese visa?
We provide an official invitation letter to support your visa application. Apply for an L (tourist) visa at your nearest Chinese consulate. While we can offer general guidance, visa approval is the consulate’s decision. Please start the visa process as soon as you receive your acceptance, because consular timelines vary.
Is travel insurance required?
Yes, we require proof of travel insurance that covers medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and trip interruption. The terrain around Yiwu is rugged and remote, so good coverage is a reasonable precaution. You can arrange your own policy or ask us for a recommendation.
What accommodation is provided?
We stay in simple, clean guesthouses in Yiwu town or a nearby village, chosen for proximity to the tea gardens. Rooms are twin-share, with private bathrooms and Wi-Fi in most places. This is rural Yunnan — luxury is not the goal. You will wake up to the sound of roosters and the smell of wood-fire cooking.
Which teas will we taste?
The focus is entirely on Yiwu shēng pǔ’ěr. You will compare fresh spring máochá from different micro-areas — Wangong, Gaoshan, Guoyoulin — and visit a small producer to taste older pressings. A typical young Yiwu sheng coats the mouth softly, moving from floral top notes to a deep, stone-fruit sweetness.
Who leads the fieldtrip?
Fang Ting, Senior Tea Expert (Oolong, Green & Puerh Varieties) on the tea.services roster. She has spent several spring seasons sourcing in Yiwu and brings close relationships with local farmers. Her tasting sessions are informal but precise, drawing on her training in Henan’s tea-sensory traditions.
How physically demanding is the trip?
You should be comfortable walking for a few hours on uneven forest trails, often uphill. The altitude around Yiwu is moderate (about 1,000–1,400 metres), and we move slowly, stopping for tasting and conversation. No special fitness level is required, but a basic level of mobility is essential.
Still have questions?
The most current application dates and pricing appear on the Yiwu fieldtrip service page at tea.services. If your question is not answered here, email support@tea.services — our small team usually replies within one working day.
For deeper reading about Yiwu’s terroir, the tasting notes and origin essays on puerh.app are an excellent companion. If you are preparing your gongfu skills, tea.school runs short online workshops that many past participants have found useful. And to hear first-hand accounts from people who have walked those forests, visit tea.community — the discussion threads are full of practical tips and stories about finding a favourite tree.
We look forward to reading your application — walking the Yiwu mountain with you will be a privilege.