Chongqing - China's traditional tea-making techniques and associated social practices were included in the intangible cultural heritage list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Nov 29 in Morocco.

The traditional tea processing techniques and associated social practices in China consist of knowledge, skills, and practices concerning the management of tea plantations, picking of tea leaves, manual processing, drinking, and sharing of tea.

Drying tea is one of the tea-making skills. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

There are 44 items related to the traditional tea-making techniques and associated social practices declared this time. Although Chongqing tea was not listed this time, it also has its advantages and characteristics. In Southwest China's Chongqing, there are 12 traditional tea-making techniques included in the municipal list of intangible cultural heritage, such as Yongchuan Xiuya's (green tea) hand-made techniques, Ba'nan Silver Needle (green tea) tea-making techniques, Chengkou Jiming Tribute Tea (green tea) tea-making techniques.

One tea garden in Chongqing. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

In recent years, Chongqing has cultivated the tea industry as the city's top ten modern mountainous characteristic high-efficiency agriculture. There are 35 counties producing tea in the city, with a tea garden area of 1.05 million mu(70 million square meters), a tea output of 50,000 tons, and an output value of raw tea exceeding 4.5 billion yuan. Chongqing has established three major tea industrial belts: special early tea in the West of Chongqing, alpine tea in southeast Chongqing, and organic tea in the Three Gorges reservoir.

Currently, tea brands in Chongqing mainly include Yongchuan Xiuya, Nanchuan Dashu Tea（green tea), Xiushan Maojian, and others.

"The country will introduce some policies conducive to developing the tea sector. This is a chance for Chongqing tea and its cultural heritage to be more visible to the world," said Xie Yu, director of the cash crop department in Chongqing Municipal Agriculture and Rural Affairs Commission.

However, Xie also pointed out that we need to improve our tea quality and figure out how to promote the brand to the world. For example, tea products should meet the international criteria for pesticide residues.

To open up overseas markets, Chongqing could take hot pot as a breakthrough to promote Wulong Laoyin tea, which is a perfect mate when eating Chongqing hot pot.

In addition, it is essential to cultivate the intangible cultural heritage related to Chongqing's distinctive tea culture, which can be explored through tea customs, art, and feasts.

The city cultivates tea culture. (Photo provided to iChongqing)