Two festival attendees pick tea buds. [Photo/Xinhua]

A tea leaves picking festival was held in Yongtai on March 31, as part of local government's efforts to develop the tea industry into a powerhouse for economic growth.

Yongtai, a county-level city administered by Fuzhou, capital city of East China's Fujian province, has an 800-year history of tea-planting.

According to Hou Yixi, deputy head of the county, on back of the government's great efforts, the development of the tea industry in Yongtai has gained great momentum.

Statistics show that to date there are roughly 32,800 mus of tea plantaion in the county with annual output of 4,835 tons of loose tea leaves or 210 million yuan ( $33.4 million) per year.

The tea varieties in Yongtai are primarily green tea, oolong tea and black tea while scented tea takes up a small portion.

Meanwhile, the premium qualities of the tea have won them wide recognition, in particular with green tea, says Yu while addressing the festival.

According to Wu Yidian, director of Fuzhou association of cross-Straits tea industry exchanges, congenial climate and geographical conditions make Yontai an ideal place for tea plantation.

"The climate in Yongtai, owing to its mountainous landscapes, features foggy, low-temperature and high humidity," says Wu, adding that that's why the tea leaves grown in the county is juicy, sweet, bright and regular-shaped.

He also mentioned that the festival would further the spreading of local tea culture and increase the awareness of the tea brands.

The event, proved a huge success though it was first held. Highlighting singing, dancing, touring as well as some sacrificial ceremonies themed on local tea culture, it drew numerous visitors.