The activity to retrace the China-Russia Ancient Tea Route, starting from Hankou bund in Wuhan, capital of central China’s Hubei Province was launched on August 18.

Originated in 17th century, the China-Russia Ancient Tea Route, which stretched 13,000 kilometers, was another trans-Eurasia channel for international commerce and trade after the Silk Road.

Back in 1863, Russian merchants founded Shunfeng Brick Tea Factory in Hankou, the first overseas-funded enterprise of Wuhan. Great quantities of tea were transported to St. Petersburg of Russia through the ancient tea route.

A team composed of 20 members including experts and journalists would retrace the tea route through road trip. They would visit 8 provinces in 3 countries, as China, Mongolia and Russia in 50 days before they reach the end of the route in St. Petersburg.

At present, Wuhan plans to submit application for the China-Russia Ancient Tea Route for world intangible cultural heritage, and is preparing to build a museum for it. (hubei.gov.cn by Mao Huifang)