WHU international student Ma Yijing wins a gold medal at the 10th China Tea Olympics.

Wuhan University Tea Art Society made an impressive debut at the 10th China Tea Olympics, held on Nov 8 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. Students Liu Qi, Ma Yijing (BAY EE JIN), Wang Wen, and Chu Yue represented WHU, bringing home one gold and two bronze medals.

The event featured a variety of competitions, including a tea art contest, Song Dynasty (960-1279) tea ceremonies, and a seminar on smart technology empowering the tea industry.

The Song Dynasty tea ceremonies are renowned for their emphasis on a harmonious blend of practicality, artistry, and etiquette. Participants are evaluated on the standardization of procedures, the presentation of tea whisking skills, the artistic quality of tea preparation, and their appreciation and demonstration of tea etiquette.

WHU students win bronze medals at the 10th China Tea Olympics.

International student Ma Yijing embraced the challenge of learning Chinese traditional painting from scratch. "I had never studied Chinese painting before, but to perfect my work, I needed to create tea paste paintings that matched the theme. So, I practiced repeatedly," she said.

Chen Yonghao, chief judge of the Song Dynasty tea ceremonies, praised the WHU participants: "The students from WHU demonstrated simplicity in stage design, precision in skill execution, and elegance in demeanor. This reflects their integration of art and discipline, resulting from long-term cultivation and a deep understanding of the spirit of tea art."

The WHU society continues to promote Chinese tea culture through weekly tasting sessions. At the start of each semester, it hosts foundational appreciation sessions that introduce basic tea art knowledge and the six major types of tea.

As the seasons change, thematic tasting sessions follow — savoring green tea in spring, focusing on oolong in autumn, and warming up with black tea in winter — allowing participants to explore the harmonious aesthetics of tea and nature.

Wuhan University Tea Art Society hosts a flower arranging tea gathering.