Oriental Tea Port: Starting Point of the Ten Thousand Mile Tea Road

Hankou, once known as the “Oriental Tea Port,” was a vital hub of the Ten Thousand Mile Tea Road connecting China and Russia from the 17th to the early 20th century. Jin merchants and Russian traders built brick tea factories and introduced steam-powered processing, transforming the industry. Landmarks such as the Hankou Customs House, Dazhimen Railway Station, and Russian merchant buildings preserve this legacy. Blending innovation, transport, and global trade, Hankou showcases tea’s historic role in shaping economies and cultural exchange.