Chinese tea goes down a treat at Swiss mountaintop ceremony

BERN, Switzerland, May 22 -- On a crisp spring afternoon, nearly a hundred tea lovers from around the world gathered not in a traditional teahouse, but on the windswept peak of the Grindelwald-First mountain in Switzerland's Bernese Oberland. The fragrant aroma of jasmine and roasted oolong mingled with the alpine air in a cross-cultural celebration of International Tea Day, held on Wednesday.

At an altitude of over 2,100 meters, the event called "Tea for Harmony -- Yaji Cultural Salon" featured traditional Chinese tea ceremonies alongside musical performances, including on the guzheng (Chinese zither), violin, Swiss alphorn, and accordion, as well as yodeling.

Swiss violinist Marvin Naef's rendition of the traditional Chinese piece Jasmine Flower was a highlight of the event, earning sustained applause from the audience.

Tea artists from China also demonstrated the brewing of renowned Chinese teas from Fujian Province, including Dahongpao and jasmine tea. Participants gained deeper insights into Chinese tea culture by learning about jasmine tea varieties, production techniques, and brewing methods, while savoring the delicate flavors against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks and drifting clouds.

They were also impressed by the evolving tea culture that now blends traditional Chinese methods with Western elements such as coffee, milk, and spirits.

"The blend of nature, music, and tea created a memorable and immersive experience at this event," said Sabine Foehn, head of International Sales at Lake Lucerne Navigation Company.

Remo Kaeser, chief marketing officer for Jungfrau Railways, praised the pairing of Wuyi Rock Tea with the fresh spring water of Mount First. "Mount First is also full of rocks, with clear spring water flowing over them -- there's nothing better than brewing Chinese Wuyi Rock Tea with this water," Kaeser said.

Co-hosted by the China National Tourist Office Zurich, the China Cultural Center in Bern, and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Fujian Province, the event is one of the highlights of the 2025 China-Switzerland Year of Culture and Tourism.

Liu Haisheng, head of the China National Tourist Office Zurich, highlighted the symbolic choice of Mount First for the celebration.

"China's tea culture, with thousands of years of history, is deeply rooted in daily life. Through this tea ceremony and cultural exchange, we aim to share the warmth and friendship of the Chinese people with the world," Liu said.

He noted that Mount Wuyi -- known as the birthplace of black and oolong tea -- is revered as a sacred site in Chinese tea culture. On April 19, 2024, Mount Wuyi in southeast China's Fujian Province and Mount Grindelwald-First in Switzerland were officially twinned as "sister mountains," symbolizing a cultural bridge between Chinese tea heritage and the Swiss Alps.

Liu emphasized that this pairing connects the historic Chinese "Ten Thousand-Mile Tea Road" with the Swiss Alpine peaks, reflecting a shared commitment to cultural exchange and mutual understanding through tea.

At 2,166 meters above sea level, the peak of Grindelwald-First -- a hotspot for connoisseurs and adventurers alike -- offers breathtaking views of the north face of the Eiger, and access to spectacular hiking trails.