Cloud tea is like life; life is learning, wisdom is cultivation.
Every spring I go up to the tea mountain. Not to buy tea — to breathe. You may think that strange; can you not breathe in the city just as well? But the air on a tea mountain is truly different — it carries the scent of earth, the fragrance of leaves, and the moisture of distant clouds. Every time I reach the summit, I take a deep breath in, then slowly exhale, and my whole being feels as though it has been rebooted.
The wellness teachings of the tea mountain lie not only in the tea itself but in nature as a whole. I remember one time on Jingmai Mountain — I rose at five in the morning and walked into the tea gardens. All was quiet, with only birdsong and the rustling of wind through leaves. I found a large rock, sat down, and brewed a pot of raw tea I had brought along. I sat drinking tea and watching the sun slowly rise. The peace of that moment was more effective than any supplement. Modern life is full of stress — always facing computers and phones, eyes strained, necks aching, nerves taut. One trip to the tea mountain, and all those problems temporarily vanish.
The tea farmers on the mountain live simply. They rise at dawn and sleep at dusk. They eat vegetables they grow themselves and drink water from mountain springs. Their bodies are usually strong, skin dark but solid. I once asked an eighty-year-old tea farmer: “Why are you so robust?” He laughed and said: “Every day I drink tea, walk the mountains, and sleep well. That simple.” The words sound ordinary, but how few people actually live that way. Modern people constantly seek complicated wellness methods, overlooking the most fundamental things.
From a tea-science perspective, the mountain environment has an enormous impact on tea quality. The higher the elevation, the greater the day-night temperature difference, and the more aromatic compounds the leaves accumulate. Cloud cover shades the leaves from intense ultraviolet light, reducing bitter substances. These are nature’s gifts. Yunnan’s six great tea mountains each have their own character: Yiwu is gentle, Banzhang is bold, Jingmai is floral, Nanuo is mellow. Each mountain has its personality, like every individual.
Research has suggested that spending more than two hours in a natural environment can noticeably reduce stress hormone levels and support immune function. The phytoncides released by the forest trees on tea mountains are considered natural antibacterial agents, beneficial for the respiratory system. So I say: going up the tea mountain is not just for sourcing tea; it is for nurturing health. The healing power of nature cannot be replaced by any medicine.
Tea has grades; all may enjoy it regardless of status.
Going to the tea mountain does not require wealth. Many mountains welcome independent visitors; you can even bring a tent and camp. The most important thing is to set down the burdens of city life and open your heart to nature. Every time I go up the mountain, I bring a simple, everyday tea cake — nothing expensive, just clean and honest. On the mountain, I brew with spring water, at whatever temperature suits the moment, and somehow the tea always tastes extraordinary. The principle is simple: environment affects the mind, and the mind affects the palate. Drinking tea in nature, body and soul are both relaxed, and the tea naturally tastes better.
I have always felt that the tea mountain is nature’s gift to humanity — a sanctuary for wellness. You do not need to do anything special; just sit, breathe, and drink tea. Nature will tend to your body and mind. Every time I return from the tea mountain, I feel invigorated, and my work efficiency is especially high. That is the power of nature — simple, yet effective.
Make friends through tea, please enjoy a cup.
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Author: Old Tea Head · Lin Shen (LamSam)
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