YA’AN, China, Sept. 10. 2026 — A Report from China Today
Participants in the “Ya’an in Dialogue with the World” cultural exchange activity visited the Bifengxia Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Yucheng District, the “A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains” 10.000-mu Ecological Sightseeing Tea Garden and the Mengding Mountain Tea History Museum in Mingshan District on September 9. Experiencing the cultural tourism brand “Green Lungs of Sichuan, Home of the Giant Panda,” the diplomats, cultural experts and international students gained a deeper understanding of Ya’an, moving beyond simply viewing its scenery to exploring its culture.
Themed “Feel the Lung of Sichuan, Hear the Story of Giant Pandas in Ya’an,” the event was co-hosted by the Center for Europe and Africa of China International Communications Group and the Publicity Department of the CPC Ya’an Municipal Committee.
François Tchiegue, ambassador for China-Africa Cultural Exchanges from Cameroon, walked across the see-through suspension bridge in Bifengxia Scenic Area. He shared, “Bifengxia boasts beautiful scenery and fresh air. Simply breathing here is a delight.” He was delighted by the experience of feeding animals, while seeing giant pandas brought him great joy.
Rogers Saffa-Woya, minister of the Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in China, was full of praise for the “A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains” scenic spot upon arrival. “This is the first time I have seen such a vast tea garden,” he said. He expressed his hope of bringing tea culture back to his home country. He also took photos to share the experience of China’s tea culture with his family.
The Mengding Mountain Tea History Museum is Sichuan’s only thematic museum dedicated to tea culture. Centered on the theme “World-famous Mengding Tea,” it systematically showcases the thousand-year development of Mengding Mountain tea through precious cultural relics. The visitors viewed ancient tea-making tools and listened to the thousand-year-old legend of Wu Lizhen, who is said to have first cultivated tea in the Western Han Dynasty, gaining insights into the history of Chinese tea culture. From tea picking, stir-frying and processing in the tea garden to an in-depth exploration of tea history at the museum, they enjoyed an immersive journey from appreciating scenery to exploring culture.
Known as the “Lung of Sichuan,” Ya’an is the birthplace of giant panda culture and one of the cradles of world tea culture. The activity enabled international guests to delve into Ya’an’s profound cultural heritage beyond its natural landscapes.