Let's Hiking: A Journey of Tea, Deep meditation, and Nature!

Spring is here! The perfect time to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and immerse yourself in nature. Chinese Surfing invites you to join two special outdoor experiences — where tea culture meets mindfulness, and hiking blends with relaxation.  

March 30 | Tea and Mindfulness (Zen & Tea Mindfulness Retreat)

Jingshan, Zhejiang

Have you ever imagined meditating in an ancient temple, breathing in the fresh scent of spring tea, and fully embracing peace of mind? This retreat will take you on a spiritual and cultural journey deep into Jingshan, home to centuries-old tea traditions and Zen wisdom.  

 Highlights 

✅ Temple Visit & Blessings – Experience the serenity of ancient Buddhist rituals.  

✅ Tea Picking Experience – Learn the art of selecting and picking fresh spring tea.  

✅ Tea Mountain Walking – Stroll through lush tea fields and embrace nature’s tranquility.  

✅ Mindfulness & Meditation – Professional guidance to help you find inner peace.  

✅ Jingshan Tea Banquet – Immerse yourself in the centuries-old Chinese tea ceremony.  

【 Details 】

 Price: 150 RMB/person  

( Included: Round-trip transportation, Tea picking and tea banquet cultural experience, Lunch, Event organization and planning fee, Travel accident insurance. Not Included: Other personal expenses, Any costs not mentioned in the included items )

 Meeting Point: Liangzhu Station (Exit A, Line 2)

 Meeting Time: 7:45 AM  

 Registration Deadline: March 28  

 Limited spots available! Scan the QR code to sign up now! 

【 Refund Policy 】

After signing up for the event, if you are unable to participate, the refund policy is as follows:

3 days before the event: 80% of the total registration fee will be refunded.

2 days before the event: 50% of the total registration fee will be refunded.

On the day of the event: 80% of the total registration fee will be refunded.

【 Schedule 】  

09:00-09:30 – Check-in  

09:30-10:00 – Purification & Blessing Ceremony  

10:00-10:30 – Spring Tea Harvesting Ceremony  

10:30-11:00 – Tea Picking Experience (Introduction to tea picking methods and precautions, distribution of tea baskets, hands-on tea picking)  

11:00-11:30 – Tea Mountain Walk (5-minute activity briefing, walking meditation while descending the tea fields)  

11:35-12:00 – Lunch  

12:00-13:25 – Blessings & Free Activities (Temple visit, prayers, photo opportunities, temple hand-drawn layout provided, distribution of introduction cards for temple halls and etiquette guidelines, gathering point confirmation)  

13:30-14:10 – Mindfulness Practice & Zen Meditation (Guided session with ritual instruments, hands folded in prayer, collective chanting of "Amitabha Buddha," 20-minute silent meditation, ending with a bell chime, Zen teachings)  

14:10-15:00 – Matcha & Tea Ceremony (Introduction to Jingshan Tea Banquet, hands-on matcha preparation)  

15:00-15:10 – Closing Ceremony (Tea appreciation, gratitude, group photos)  

15:10-16:30 – Mountain Hike (Descent on foot)  

16:30-17:30 – Return to parking area & departure  

【 Cultural Knowledge 】

Introduction to Jingshan Temple

Jingshan Temple is located at the border of Lin’an and Yuhang, Zhejiang Province. It was founded during the Tianbao period of the Tang Dynasty.  

The Zen culture of Jingshan Temple holds a significant place in Chinese Chan Buddhism and has deeply influenced Japanese Buddhism, especially Zen Buddhism. Since the Song and Yuan Dynasties, many Japanese monks have traveled to Jingshan Temple to study Zen. When they returned to Japan, they not only brought back Zen teachings but also Chinese customs, including tea culture, clothing styles, and music. This makes Jingshan Temple an important historical bridge between Chinese and Japanese culture.  

【 Important Notes 】

1. Finish your meal without waste.  

2. Keep silent indoors.  

3. Stay quiet during tea meditation, sit still, and keep your phone on silent mode.  

4. Do not step on the threshold; enter and exit through the side door. When walking around or worshiping Buddha, move in a clockwise direction.  

5. You may offer three incense sticks for free. 

6. No poloties.

7. No food waste.

8. Not eligible for participation under age of 18.

Historical Sites Along the Way: 

 Song Dynasty Imperial Stele (御碑亭)

The Imperial Stele Pavilion is located outside the temple’s eastern gate. The stele was personally inscribed by Emperor Xiaozong of the Song Dynasty, earning it the name “Imperial Stele” (御碑). As one of Jingshan’s most treasured cultural relics, it stands as an important historical landmark of the temple.  

The History of Jingshan Tea Banquet

Jingshan has a tea-growing history of over 1,200 years. It is famously associated with Lu Yu, the Sage of Tea, who wrote the Classic of Tea (茶经) while staying at Jingshan.  

The Jingshan Zen Tea Ceremony, dating back to the Song Dynasty, has been passed down through generations with well-preserved rituals and a complete ceremonial structure. It is considered a prime example of the integration of Buddhist rituals into Chinese culture and is recognized as the origin of Chinese Zen Tea culture. In 2022, it was listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.  

 For inquiries and registration, feel free to contact us. We look forward to seeing you! 

If you can’t make it to the above events, don’t worry! We have an exciting hiking event coming up in April!

Stay tuned!