Gathering of spring's bountiful produce
Springtime in Zigui County, Yichang, China, brings a timeless dance as farmers don their hats and head to the tea bases to herald the start of the spring tea season. This traditional rhythm, rooted in seasonal cycles, kicks off around the Qingming Festival, as reported in the 2025 news[2][5].
In this old-fashioned process, farmers meticulously handpick tender, young tea leaves, often using bamboo baskets to keep them fresh[1][5]. These fresh leaves undergo a series of steps to become tea, including withering, fixation, shaping, and drying[^general].
The spring season in Zigui County is known for producing premium green teas, with a focus on pre-Qingming teas, highly regarded for their delicate flavor. Although the specific tea varieties from Zigui aren't detailed in the sources, the region's commitment to these high-grade teas aligns with national standards[1][3].
Pack your bags for a trip to Zigui County, as the spring season is more than just a tea harvest—it's a flourishing "spring economy" boosted by tourism[4]. And who knows? You might even catch the local Lunwan oranges being harvested, adding another color to Zigui's thriving agricultural landscape[3].
[^general]: General knowledge about tea processing applies here, as specific Zigui methods aren't detailed in the provided sources.
By 2025, the central region of Yichang, specifically Zigui County, will continue to celebrate the age-old tradition of tea harvest, embracing the arrival of spring and the start of the tea season. This lifestyle event draws villagers to the tea bases for the handpicking of tender tea leaves, using age-old methods such as bamboo baskets, which contribute to the premium food-and-drink offering that Zigui County is renowned for. In addition to the tea harvests, the County's home-and-garden sector experiences a surge, with the tourism boom providing an economic lift. Visitors may also get a chance to witness the concurrent harvest of Lunwan oranges, further enriching the agricultural backdrop in this charming town.
