International students enjoy Chinese tea culture

Nearly 30 international students from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, recently delved into the art of traditional Chinese tea culture at Tea York.

The group, composed of degree-seeking and exchange students from countries including Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mexico, the U.S., and other nations, spent the session learning tea philosophy, sampling brews prepared by professional masters, and practising the rituals of tea preparation. They gained hands-on experience in brewing and savoring teas steeped in millennia of heritage.

International students of CUHK-Shenzhen experience Chinese tea ceremony. Photos courtesy of CUHK-Shenzhen

According to the tea master, seven core steps define the tea ceremony: greeting guests, arranging the tea set, boiling water, warming vessels to awaken tea aromas, brewing the tea, serving, and finally sipping. For many students, the process offered a profound moment of discovery.

Gleb Danilkin, a first-year student from Kazakhstan, called the experience “eye-opening.” “I learned so much, from preparing the tea set to pouring and sipping tea,” he said. “I will probably drink my tea like this from now on.”

Minjeong Kim, a first-year student from South Korea, said the traditional method helped her find inner peace. “Making tea in the traditional way helped me relax and clear my mind,” she said.

A student practises brewing tea.

Dario Samuele Spielmann, an exchange student from the University of St. Gallen, said he came to China to experience its culture, and this activity was a perfect opportunity. 

“Coming here to see how Chinese people make tea and even learn to brew my own has been an excellent experience, which I really enjoyed,” he said. “The teachers were so nice and patient. It was very heartwarming.”

Participants pose for a group photo at Tea York.

The Chinese Tea Experience Session is part of the University’s Office of Academic Links (OAL) Chinese Cultural Workshop Series, which gives international students opportunities to experience and explore Chinese culture.