Students learn to pick tea leaves at a plantation in Lanshan district on May 22.  CHEN ZEBING/CHINA DAILY

However, in 1954, as the government launched the "south tea northward" initiative, Rizhao embarked on a 12-year journey to cultivate tea along its northern coastline. By 1966, this effort successfully brought tea cultivation to the city.

Rizhao's unique coastal environment, with its high-latitude maritime climate and significant temperature variations between day and night, endows its tea leaves with exceptional qualities: thick leaves, a rich flavor, a yellow-green tea color and a distinctive chestnut aroma.

Over the decades, Rizhao has grown to become one of the largest green tea production areas in northern China. It has also become one of the world's three major coastal green tea production cities.

In recent years, local initiatives have vigorously promoted the integrated development of the "tea industry plus culture plus tourism" model. This has led to the creation of a range of new comprehensive ventures that combine tea culture dissemination, sightseeing and leisure activities. These efforts have significantly supported the high-quality development of the tea industry in Rizhao.