A tea culture festival opened in Laoshan district, Qingdao on May 21 - a date which was also designated as International Tea Day by the United Nations.

Jointly hosted by the Qingdao municipal bureau of agriculture and rural affairs and the Qingdao municipal bureau of culture and tourism, the event is designed to promote the local tea industry, as well as related rural tourism, via online and offline activities.

Tea-making competitions will take place during the festival, with tea masters showing off their sophisticated skills.

Laoshan, the highest latitude tea-producing region in China, was recognized as the "hometown of famous tea in Jiangbei" (Jiangbei refers to the region north of the Yangtze River).

The tea industry is a crucial part of rural revitalization in Laoshan district. According to local officials, the industry employs nearly 20,000 farmers in total.

With a planting area of about 1,333 hectares, the area produces tea worth 500 million yuan ($70.67 million) annually. The value of the "Laoshan Tea" brand is estimated at about 1.29 billion yuan.

Tourism routes highlighting the area's picturesque villages, tea gardens, fruit picking areas, delicacies, home stays and coastal sightseeing were launched to attract more visitors.

Tea-making experts show their skills during the tea culture festival in Qingdao. [Photo/IC]

Performers show the art of tea-making during the opening ceremony of the tea culture festival in Qingdao. [Photo/IC]

Tea experts stir-fry tea leaves at a competition. [Photo/IC]

Laoshan is a renowned tea-producing region in China. [Photo/IC]

Various activities will take place during the tea culture festival in Qingdao. [Photo/IC]