The Ancient Tea Horse Road

Journey from the Tea Fields of China

The Ancient Tea Horse Road

Carrying up to 300 pounds of tea on their backs, men would travel a thousand miles through the rugged Himalaya Mountains from Pu'er in Southern China to Lhasa in Tibet. They would cross rivers using inflated tubes made from the skins of animals. They would send their horses across vast chasms on zip lines made from hemp.  After six arduous months, they would reach their destination and trade their precious cargo of tea for the Tibetan horses.  Returning to China, the sturdy Tibetan ponies would supply the Chinese army and used to protect the frontier from invaders.

Read more about this fascinating chapter in history and learn how the cultures still living and working along this Ancient Tea Horse Road have preserved their languages, customs, customs, music, art, and religion.  Take an Adventure on The Ancient Tea Horse Road.

Twenty-Six Distinct Cultures

Let's explore the Most Culturally Diverse Region in the World.

The twenty-six distinct ethnic minorities that still live along this route today offer us an opportunity to enjoy their Art, Music, Language, Customs, Clothing, and Jewelry. You will be delighted to see the bright, colorful clothing and jewelry still worn today and amazed at the customs and ceremonies practiced.

Join the Adventure as we explore many of these cultures including the Bai, Naxi, Yi, Mosuo, Miao, and Achang.  We will be traveling the Ancient Tea Horse Road from Pu'er to Tibet in search of artists and artisans from these ethnic minorities who are preserving their culture through their unique tradecraft, introducing them to you and offering you some of their unique creations.  To the right is a beautiful Mosuo woman wearing her hand embroidered clothing on the shores of LuGu Hu.

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