Directory spring update — open community call

a quarterly ritual of shared discovery

Each quarter, the tea.place directory hosts an open call to keep our map of Chinese tea businesses accurate, rich, and alive. The spring update on 12 April 2026 is a two-hour collaborative session, led by Zhang Hao, who brings on-the-ground knowledge from Kūnmíng (昆明) and across China’s vast tea landscapes.

Zhang will open with a brief overview of the directory’s current state — how many listings have been added or retired since winter, which regions saw the most edits, and what editorial threads emerged from member suggestions. Then the floor opens. This is not a passive webinar; you’ll be invited to propose new listings by sharing the name, location, and a few notes about any chá guǎn (茶馆) or chá lóu (茶楼) you’ve visited — whether it’s a family-run shēng pǔ’ěr (生普洱) workshop deep in the Xīshuāngbǎnnà (西双版纳) mountains or a quiet corner shop in Běijīng’s Mǎliándào (马连道) tea street.

A dedicated segment deals with closures and outdated entries. Members can flag spots that have moved or shut down, keeping the map trustworthy for everyone who relies on it — from casual tea tourists to bulk buyers sourcing Lóngjǐng (龙井) or Bìluóchūn (碧螺春). Zhang will share a few tricks for verifying on-the-ground information and discuss the community’s evolving quality standards.

If you’ve been using tea.travel to plan a journey through the tea gardens of Yúnnán (云南) or Fújiàn (福建), this is your chance to give back — document the places you found so others can follow your footsteps. Tea.community members can authenticate via their existing profiles, while newcomers may register on the spot. The session closes with a look ahead to the summer update, and everyone who contributes will receive early access to the seasonal directory highlights. By the end of the hour, the map will be a little more complete — a testament to the collective care of the tea.place community.

What you get

• add your own listings and enrich the global map of Chinese tea houses, shops, and vendors

• flag outdated or closed locations, ensuring the directory remains a trusted resource

• connect with fellow tea enthusiasts and industry insiders, including our China-based team

• receive early access to seasonal directory highlights and editorial picks

• gain contributor recognition within the tea.place and tea.community networks

• learn about verification standards used to maintain directory quality

how the call works

• timing — 12 April 2026, 12:00–14:00 UTC (check your local time)

• location — Online via Zoom; link sent upon registration

• dress and tea — Come as you are — casual, with a cup of your current favourite tea; perhaps a freshly brewed Lóngjǐng (龙井) or a warming shú pǔ’ěr (熟普洱)

• accessibility and language — Live captioning (English) enabled; recording available for members within 48 hours. The call is primarily in English, with Mandarin support for regional submissions

• kit included — A shared digital notebook and listing template will be circulated via tea.community

• weather note — No matter the conditions outside, a stable internet connection and a cup of tea are all you need