A Study of Cross-Cultural Exchange and International Communication Strategies for Guangxi Tea

This chapter examines the Ancient Tea-Boat Route as a riverine and maritime network through which Liupao tea travelled from Cangwu County in Guangxi to commercial centres in southern China and overseas Chinese communities in Southeast Asia. Taking a historical-geographical perspective, it describes the relationship between the Liubao, Dong’an, He and Xi river systems and the successive transhipment points connecting Liubao Town, Libu Town, Jiangkou, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macao. The account traces how differences in water depth, seasonal conditions, vessel size and navigational risk shaped the organisation of inland tea transport. It then considers the maritime distribution of Liupao tea towards Singapore, Malaya, Borneo, Java, Thailand and Vietnam, with particular attention to the commercial roles of Hong Kong and Macao. Beyond transportation, the chapter explores the association of Liupao tea with Chinese migrant labourers, everyday consumption, family remittances and the cultural memory of communities in Nanyang. It discusses the adaptation of tea packaging, storage practices, taste and cultural meanings in overseas markets. Finally, it considers the route’s contemporary significance for cultural heritage interpretation, tea-related tourism and regional exchange. The chapter presents the Ancient Tea-Boat Route as a historical connection between production landscapes, trading networks and migrant communities, while distinguishing its commercial functions from the cultural meanings attached to the movement and consumption of tea.