When a diverse group of young people gathered to taste 

Wuyi Rock Tea, 

an age-old tea tradition blended seamlessly with youthful creativity, 

marking the successful conclusion of a unique cultural exchange.

On September 14, 
the Tea Life Experience event—
hosted by Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation (SFIEC) and supported by Shangshang Tea Study—
brought together dozens of participants from the United States, Indonesia, Iran, and beyond.

They shared conversations in both Chinese and English around the tea table, discovering the timeless charm of tea.

With “observing color, smelling aroma, and tasting flavor”

 as their shared language, 

participants helped Chinese tea culture transcend borders, 

turning tea into a bridge connecting

 Chinese and international youth in Shenzhen.

A Tea Session: 

Experiencing Eastern Wisdom 

Through Tea Culture

“Why does the old-bush Shui Xian from Huiyuan Pit carry such a unique woody aroma?” asked Li Peizhen, 

professional tea master and founder of Shangshang Tea Study, 

instantly capturing the room’s attention.

“The first time I experienced tea with a sweet aftertaste, 

I searched endlessly for information to understand it. 

Only later did I realize it reflects an Eastern philosophy:

 slow down and savor the beauty of life,” 

said Wade Putman, 

an American who has lived and worked 

in Shenzhen for eight years. 

His fluent Chinese created a sense of 

closeness among everyone present.

As a long-time tea enthusiast, 

Wade naturally became the driving force of the session.

Instead of overwhelming participants with technical terms, 

he invited them to raise their cups and notice the tea’s hue:

“Look at this luminous color—clear, like the Shenzhen sky.”

He then encouraged them to take small sips:

“That shift from slight bitterness to delicate sweetness—

Doesn't it feel like friends from different cultures

 gradually becoming closer?”

There were no complicated lectures, 

only relatable, everyday sharing that turned tea from something 

they had “heard of” into something they could truly feel.

Two Rounds of Tea Tasting:

Where Tea Reflects 

Shenzhen’s Inclusive Warmth

When the “same-variety tasting challenge” began, 

8–10 Wuyi Rock Teas were neatly arranged, 

and young participants—both local and international—quickly immersed themselves in a lively tasting session.

“I really like this one!”
“What does its aroma remind you of?”

Amid cheerful conversations, 
Wade stepped in as an unofficial interpreter, 
helping participants share their impressions in both English and Chinese.

“Languages differ, but the love for beauty is universal.”

In the end, 

each table selected its own “Best Wuyi Rock Tea Connoisseur.” 

Sarah, an Iranian professional working in Shenzhen, 

shared her thoughts as she received the honor:

“What I tasted was more than just tea—it was also Shenzhen’s openness and inclusivity. 

Culture is never one-way.

 It’s like this: 

everyone sits together and shares different feelings and understanding,

gradually becoming 

part of each other’s story.”