The Ancient Tea Horse Road-Impression Yunnan-Sichuan Tea Culture Tourism Festival in Yanjin County, Zhaotong

Overview

Chinese Name: 盐津“茶马古道·印象滇川”茶文化旅游节
English Name: The Ancient Tea Horse Road-Impression Yunnan-Sichuan Tea Culture Tourism Festival in Yanjin County, Zhaotong

Dousha Town in Yanjin County, formerly an important checkpoint on the Tea Horse Road and now known as Doushaguan Pass, boasts a rich historical and cultural background. This area is renowned not only for its historical significance on the Tea Horse Road but also for its distinctive local snacks.

Background of Dousha Town on the Tea Horse Road

1. Historical Background
   • Shimen Pass and Doushaguan Pass: Dousha Town was historically known as Shimen Pass, which was renamed Doushaguan Pass during the late Yuan Dynasty. It was the first treacherous pass on the route from ancient Sichuan to Yunnan and an important node on the Southern Silk Road. The Tea Horse Road passed through this region, facilitating trade between Yunnan and inland areas.
   • Tea Horse Road: As a critical location on the Tea Horse Road, Doushaguan Pass was not only a necessary transit point for merchants and travelers but also an essential supply station for ancient mule caravans.
2. Local Snacks
   • “Shimen Three Cakes”: The three distinctive local snacks—piggy cake, tung tree cake, and yellow cake—are collectively known as the “Shimen Three Cakes.” These snacks were traditionally used as provisions for mule caravans due to their ability to satisfy hunger and ease of heating. Today, these traditional treats remain popular local specialties enjoyed by visitors.

Longcha Village Tea Culture Tourism Festival

1. Tea Culture Experience
   • Tea Garden Visits: Longcha Village in Niuzhai Township is a hotspot for tea culture tourism. Visitors can explore the verdant tea mountains, enjoy the lush tea garden scenery, pick tea leaves by hand, and immerse themselves in the joys of tea culture.
   • Tea Processing Craft: Visitors can also tour tea processing workshops to learn about traditional handcrafting techniques and experience the entire process from tea leaf picking to tea production.
2. Events and Festivals
   • Tea Culture Tourism Festival: The “Tea Horse Road · Impression of Yunnan and Sichuan” Tea Culture Tourism Festival, themed around “green, natural, healthy, and leisure,” features various activities, including industry integration and rural revitalization forums, tea ceremonies, live tea tastings, tea culture dance performances, and tea variety guessing games.
   • Tea Garden Fun: On the opening day, visitors can participate in tea-picking competitions, enjoy the tea garden experience, and deepen their understanding of tea culture.
3. Industry Integration and Rural Revitalization
   • Tea Industry Development: Niuzhai Township has been updating tea planting techniques through “excellent varieties + excellent methods,” with tea cultivation now exceeding 4,000 acres. The tea culture tourism festival aims to promote the deep integration of the tea industry with tourism, boost the local economy, and contribute to rural revitalization.

Dousha Town and its surrounding areas, with their rich tea culture resources and unique snacks, attract numerous visitors each year. The tea culture tourism festival not only showcases traditional tea processing techniques but also drives local economic development, becoming an important platform for the inheritance and advancement of Tea Horse Road culture.