Tea plantations Sri Lanka to China: world's finest destinations

Ceylon Black Tea stands as Sri Lanka's crowning achievement in the tea world. The island's unique geography creates the perfect conditions for exceptional black tea production. High-altitude estates between 1,200 and 2,100 metres benefit from cool, misty mornings that slow leaf development, allowing complex flavours to concentrate naturally. The bright, citrusy notes that define Ceylon tea stem directly from the island's mineral-rich soil and the dramatic temperature variations between day and night.

The tea plantations in Sri Lanka stretch across the Central Highlands, where estates around Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, and Ella produce the world's most celebrated Ceylon teas. The historic Pedro Tea Estate, established in 1885, stands as the pinnacle of Sri Lankan tea heritage, built on the very site where James Taylor planted the first tea bushes in Ceylon. The prestigious Handunugoda Tea Estate represents another crown jewel, where the legendary Virgin White Tea was once harvested using golden scissors and offered as tribute to emperors.

Where to stay: Anantara Peace Haven TangalleResort and Anantara Kalutara Resort provide elegant coastal retreats within easy reach of the island's legendary tea country. At Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle, The Tea Quotheque experience offers an immersive journey into Ceylon tea with expert-led cultivation tours and tastings, whilst Anantara Kalutara provides access to the charming Handunugoda Tea Estate, home to the legendary Virgin White Tea. This family-owned plantation offers tours through its fields and factory, with tastings of distinctive teas influenced by its unique coastal location. From these refined havens, guests can journey into the Central Highlands, experiencing the railway between Kandy and Ella – considered one of the world's most beautiful.

Chinese tea represents the world's oldest tea tradition, with records dating back to the Shang Dynasty in 1500 BCE. Initially consumed for medicinal purposes, tea evolved into a popular refreshing beverage as diverse regions began producing distinctive varieties. This rich tradition shaped global tea culture, with its influence and popularity amplified through trade along the Silk Road.

In Guizhou Province, Meitan county's China Tea Sea Park is the world's largest single expanse of tea trees. Here, tradition and innovation merge as the region produces over 72,000 tonnes annually, ranking first among China's "top 100 tea-producing counties" for four consecutive years.

For those seeking to explore Pu-erh tea's birthplace, Xishuangbanna's legendary plantations in Yunnan Province offer unparalleled experiences. The historic Nannuo Mountain, famous for its 800-year-old "King of Tea Tree", traces back to the Tang dynasty. The prestigious Menghai Tea Factory continues to create exceptional Pu-erh teas using traditional methods perfected over generations.

Where to stay: Anantara Guiyang Resort nestles within China's "Forest City", offering a gateway to Guizhou's authentic tea experiences. For the ultimate Pu-erh tea journey, Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort provides unparalleled access to Yunnan's legendary tea mountains.

Thai Highland Black Tea represents a remarkable transformation story from the elevated plateaus of northern Thailand. Where once illicit crops grew, now flourish some of Asia's most interesting high-altitude tea gardens, supported by Royal Foundation initiatives that helped hill tribes transition from opium cultivation to sustainable agriculture. At altitudes reaching 1,200 metres above sea level, these transformed valleys harness cool mountain temperatures and frequent morning mists to create highland black teas with exceptional brightness and signature mountain sweetness.

The renowned Choui Fong Tea Plantation, the largest tea producer in Chiang Rai, encompasses two impressive branches spanning over 1.8 million square metres combined. Nearby, Singha Park Chiang Rai covers over 8,600 rai with tea plantations, agricultural areas, and sustainable farming practices, operated by the Boon Rawd Brewery company. The transformation of Mae Salong district, where Tea Plantation 101 won first place at the World Tea Festival in 2004, represents this agricultural revolution supported by royal initiatives to provide alternative livelihoods for local communities.

Where to stay: Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort occupies an extraordinary position overlooking the confluence of three countries. This unique vantage point provides access to Chiang Rai's renowned tea plantations, including Choui Fong, where guests can try local cuisine paired with an exceptional selection of artisanal teas.

Mauritian tea possesses a unique character shaped by volcanic soils, constant ocean breezes, and year-round tropical warmth. Unlike teas from mountainous regions, Mauritius benefits from consistent temperatures and maritime influences that create extraordinarily smooth, honey-noted black teas with natural caramel undertones. The ocean's proximity infuses these teas with subtle salinity and mineral complexity that cannot be replicated inland.

Mauritius' rolling tea landscapes centre around Bois Chéri, the island's oldest tea plantation dating back to 1892. Here, amongst hills dotted with wildlife including deer, wild boar, chickens and ducks roaming freely around the estate, visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of verdant green hills whilst sipping and tasting various teas paired with artisanal Mauritian biscuits.

Where to stay: Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas offers the perfect balance of beachfront sophistication and cultural exploration. The resort's position allows seamless access to Bois Chéri plantation, where tea heritage tours and tastings unfold in settings of natural beauty.