About this tour
When Charlie from our BugBitten team signed up for this tea workshop in China, we weren't sure what to expect—neither of us were tea nerds. Turns out, Vivian Mak's setup flips the whole thing on its head. You're tasting four different teas (scented green, straight green, red, and oolong) across 90 minutes, learning how each is actually made, then pairing them with three snacks to see how flavour shifts. It's hands-on and playful rather than preachy—you're using your nose, mouth, and touch to decode what makes each tea tick. Works for absolute beginners and seasoned drinkers alike.
Highlights
- Brewing green and oolong teas properly in a traditional Gai Wan—much harder than it looks
- Sniff-tasting each leaf before hot water touches it; you catch wildly different scents
- Pairing red tea with a savoury snack and watching flavour completely transform
- Vivian breaks down tea classification without jargon; it actually sticks
- Trying scented green tea next to plain green tea side-by-side reveals what 'scented' actually means
- Small group size keeps the pacing relaxed and questions welcomed
- Learning you've probably been brewing tea way too hot your whole life
What to expect
You'll start by looking at dry leaves—colour, shape, texture—then move to smell. Vivian walks you through the production process for each tea type, and it genuinely clicks when you taste the difference between a carefully oxidised oolong and a fresh green. The Gai Wan (a lidded brewing bowl) takes a minute to get used to, but once you're pouring, you feel a bit like you know what you're doing. The pairing part is the magic: a snack that seemed fine on its own suddenly tastes completely different next to a particular tea. Charlie found the pacing relaxed—no rushing through tastings—and the group dynamic felt more like friends exploring together than a lecture.
The workshop happens in a dedicated tasting space, so it's calm and focused. You're not fighting noise or crowds. Bring an open mind more than tea expertise; people who've never thought much about tea leave surprised by how much flavour variation exists.
Good to know
This works brilliantly if you're curious but not yet committed to tea culture. You'll actually understand what you're buying at a tea shop afterwards. Pairs are welcome, families with kids are fine, and it suits everyone from absolute beginners to people who drink tea daily but have never really interrogated it. The 90-minute length feels right—long enough to learn something real, short enough to hold focus. Wheelchair accessible and pram-friendly.
The workshop involves tasting and slurping sounds (part of the process), so if you're self-conscious, that's worth knowing. Not ideal if you have cardiovascular concerns, since tasting multiple teas in succession can elevate heart rate slightly. Peak times likely cluster around weekends; weekday slots probably feel more spacious.
Four teas and three snacks are included; bring water to cleanse your palate between tastings (usually provided). Wear something you don't mind getting tea on. Arrive 5–10 minutes early. Group sizes are kept small. Public transport is nearby if you're not driving.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.