Harvesting of the first batch of spring tea is underway in Liandu district, Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

Now is the crucial period for the growth of tea trees and the golden season for picking tea leaves in Liandu district, Lishui, Zhejiang province. The district has welcomed the harvest of the first batch of spring tea — Wuniuzao.

On the tea mountains of Bihu town in Liandu, rows of tea trees are lush and vibrant, with tender green tea buds flourishing with life.

"When we pick the tea leaves, we only pick the bud tips, and we can pick around five kilograms in a day," said tea farmer Lan Shilian. With bamboo baskets strapped to their waists, the tea farmers shuttle back and forth among the lush green rows, gently picking off the tender buds.

"The tea plants have grown very well this year. Due to weather conditions, the market debut has been delayed by a few days, but now we can start harvesting in large quantities," explained Yang Zupei, president of the Guyan Huaxiang Tea Professional Cooperative in Lishui.

After picking comes the tea-making process. In the spacious tea-making workshop at the foot of the tea mountains, rows of machines are arranged. After several processes, tea leaves begin to emit a rich fragrance.

In recent years, the tea industry in Liandu district has seen significant development, with steady growth in planting area and output, an increasingly diverse range of tea varieties, significantly improved quality, and a gradual expansion of brand recognition and influence.

At present, the tea gardens in the district cover an area of around 40.33 square kilometers. The earliest batch of over 20 square km of Wuniuzao varieties is set to be harvested in succession.