TOUFEN 2nd DAY: TONGLUO TEA FACTORY

Andrew took us on a drive out of the city and flatlands, into terrain that was much more interesting because of the road swerving through mountains. Our destination is almost straight South from Toufen, where our hotel is located.

After about a half hour drive we arrived at the "factory," which is on the edge of a mountain in Touwu district. The tea building looks into a valley where we can see the tea plants growing and being tended. The entrance ticket costs 100 yuan (about $3.40) per person, but we get a pot of tea per person. In our case we chose two different types of tea.

Here are a few shots of the area where the tea leaves are grown.

The "factory" itself is a very contemporary-looking building. Very attractive once you are inside, with clean lines and an industrial feel. But very smooth, not the industrial of sweaty, hot factories.

Maya, even though one can hardly see who it is, at the entrance to the factory.

When one comes inside, one gets the view of this very long hall withthe counter and shelves made of smooth steel.

Of course, displays with several types of tea. All very carefully and attractively displayed.

And a large cariety of tea cups.

Seating area for visitors. Because we are here in February there is nobody else here.

Maya waiting dor hertea.

And Andrew waiting for the precise time to serve the tea.

And  tea is served. I need to check with Andrew to figure out the teas we had.

By the way, you just dont't drink tea at any temperature. On the table was this chart with the recommended water temperature and the time it should be steeping.  Precision is key in making tea I guess. Oh, and fhe water should not be microwaved. There goes my practice, learned over many years, of putting the water and tea bag in the microwave.

Here is another shot of the tea store. The rooms and displays were well designed, estheticslly very pleasing to the eye.

And finally a view of a person (woman I think) working on the garden.

Next we go to the strangest town. Well, maybe no so strange. It's called Dahu Township.