Anyone who’s been to Hong Kong in the summer knows that it’s hot and humid. So steamy you could become human dim sum. Even winters are relatively mild. The reason behind this lies in one of China’s newly planned national parks.

In many ways, tea is a simple drink, composed of simply water and leaves. But tea culture is a rich tapestry of tradition and technique that dates back to ancient times. China’s centuries-old traditions and tea-making customs have earned their place on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

China has many hidden gems, like villages tucked away in the rural mountains and remote communities not often given the spotlight but bursting with culture. Recently, travelers and explorers have begun to uncover some of China’s small towns —helping bring their stories to light and sharing them with the world.