Song Fanghu

The recent conclusion of the second "Study in Pu'er" program marked another successful chapter in cultural diplomacy between China and Laos. Over six immersive days, 44 young ethnic Chinese students and teachers from Laos explored Pu'er's unique identity where ancient tea traditions meet vibrant coffee culture. Hosted in Yunnan's southwestern city bordering Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar, the initiative builds on last year's inaugural program. Participants engaged deeply with Chinese heritage while discovering shared roots along the historic Tea Horse Road. Their experiences—from hands-on tea processing to collaborative art projects—forged personal connections that transcend borders. As one student noted, the taste of Pu'er tea lingered far longer than the beverage itself, symbolizing the program's enduring impact on cross-cultural understanding and friendship. Cultural Immersion Experiences Pu'er's dual identity as a global tea source and China's coffee capital provided rich learning grounds. Students explored specialized workshops where they witnessed traditional Pu'er tea production techniques. Song Fanghu (宋方浒), whose family works in Laos' tea sector, discovered distinct processing methods enhancing the tea's fragrance and aftertaste. "The depth of flavor here is remarkable," he observed, planning to share these techniques back home. Parallel coffee workshops revealed surprising versatility. Song Yuping (宋雨平) marveled at cascara—coffee cherry…