Thanks to the support and kind reviews from our wonderful guests, our home is now ranked among the top 10% of listings worldwide! A perfect 5.0 rating reflects not only clean and comfortable spaces, but also the unique cultural experiences we create at LONG Lodge – where you can relax, enjoy nature, and embrace the beauty of East-West connections.
This recognition belongs not only to us, but to every guest who has stayed with us and those yet to come. We’ll keep striving to make every stay unforgettable.
Vinieron desde lejos, pero entraron en este lugar con la naturalidad de un sueño familiar. La familia de Christian — dos almas viajeras que siempre están en camino, con sus hijos que hablan alemán y dos gatitos curiosos — llegaron a este valle abrazado por la niebla, al que llamamos LONG Lodge.
Christian llevaba su guitarra al hombro, como si siempre estuviera listo para tocar una melodía para el mundo. Su esposa, serena y sabia, caminaba a su lado. Sus dos hijos, llenos de energía, hablaban alemán y tenían los ojos encendidos por la curiosidad ante todo.
Y lo más sorprendente: ¡los niños trajeron dos gatos en el viaje! ¿Te lo puedes imaginar?
En nuestra charla, supe que también tienen una casa junto al mar. Christian me habló de brisas marinas, playas de arena, música y muchas historias más. Le dije: “Quiero visitarlos, escuchar tu guitarra, ver a los niños y a los gatos corriendo por la orilla del mar.”
Qué vida tan hermosa — como una suave canción folclórica que canta en armonía sobre la libertad, la familia y la naturaleza.
Night falls gently, and the lights sway with the breeze. In the quiet evening at LONG Lodge — a pot of tea, a book, and a moment alone with yourself. Let your heart slow down and your thoughts drift with the light.
A Tasting & Reflection Gathering at LONG Lodge Tea has always been more than a drink. It can be precise—a measured infusion guided by knowledge. Or poetic—a moment of calm, a silent companion to thought. This gathering invites you to experience both sides of tea: its ritual, and its soul.
🍵 Two Ways to Brew ・The Ritual Path: guided by time, water, and utensils ・The Poetic Path: guided by breath, intuition, and verse
🖋 Calligraphy Session Try your hand at a classic tea poem—experience the mindfulness of brush and ink
👉 In China, two representative figures embodied these two pursuits.
Lu Yu vs. Lu Tong｜A Dialogue Between the Sage and the Poet of Tea
Amid misty clouds, let us return to the Tang Dynasty China , and listen to a conversation between two legendary figures of tea— One composed The Classic of Tea with rational structure, The other awakened the soul through his Seven Bowls of Tea poem. Is tea about order, or is it about freedom? Is it about precise utensils, or poetic abandon? Join us for a tasting dialogue that spans a thousand years. 🍵 [Dual Tea Ritual Experience] Two brewing styles to experience on site: Lu Yu Style – selected utensils, precise water, timed infusion (rational path) Lu Tong Style – quiet sitting, poetry reading, intuitive steeping (emotional path) 📖 [Calligraphy Experience] Copy the Seven Bowls of Tea poem and connect with a poet across centuries 📍 Location: LONG Lodge, Mindo (A lodge in the cloud forest) 🕰 Date & Time: Saturday, June 14, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM 📖 Includes guided tea session in English, Chinese, and Spanish + refined tea snacks + Chinese food 🎁 Free for guests with room reservations
The Chinese tea ceremony is a deeply rooted cultural tradition that embodies philosophy, aesthetics, and social values. It stands distinct from other global tea traditions in its emphasis on harmony, respect, and a close connection to nature. Here’s a comprehensive overview:
History of Chinese Tea Ceremonies
Origins:
The use of tea in China dates back to the Shang dynasty (16th–11th centuries BCE), initially as a medicinal herb.
During the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), tea culture flourished and evolved into an art form. The famous tea sage Lu Yu wrote the “Classic of Tea” (茶经, Cha Jing), which laid the foundation for Chinese tea etiquette and appreciation.
Song Dynasty (960–1279):
Tea preparation became more stylized. Tea competitions were popular, where tea quality and skillful whisking were judged.
Powdered tea, similar to Japanese matcha, was common before whole-leaf brewing gained favor.
Ming Dynasty (1368–1644):
Loose-leaf tea became the norm. Brewing methods shifted toward steeping leaves in teapots, which influenced the development of the Gongfu tea ceremony.
Philosophy and Significance
The Chinese tea ceremony is more than a social ritual; it reflects key aspects of Chinese culture:
Taoism: Emphasizes naturalness, simplicity, and inner peace. The ceremony often evokes a meditative, tranquil atmosphere.
Confucianism: Highlights respect, hierarchy, and social harmony—tea is a medium to express respect, such as offering tea to elders.
Aesthetics: The tea utensils, surroundings, and manner of service express beauty and harmony.
The Gongfu Tea Ceremony (功夫茶)
Meaning: “Gongfu” implies skill and effort. This method, originating from Fujian and Guangdong, emphasizes the meticulous preparation of oolong tea and other high-grade leaves.
Process: Includes warming the pot and cups, rinsing the leaves, multiple short infusions, and appreciating aroma and flavor.
Focus: Intense sensory engagement and appreciation of the tea’s character.
Comparison with Other Cultural Tea Traditions
Japanese Tea Ceremony (Chanoyu):
Rooted in Zen Buddhism and influenced by Chinese tea culture (especially from the Tang and Song dynasties).
Uses powdered matcha rather than loose leaves.
Highly formalized with strict rituals, prescribed movements, and codified aesthetics.
Emphasis on wabi-sabi (beauty in simplicity and imperfection).
British Afternoon Tea:
Social and culinary tradition originating in the 19th century.
Focuses on the enjoyment of tea with finger foods like scones and sandwiches.
Less meditative or philosophical; more about socializing and etiquette.
Moroccan Mint Tea:
Green tea brewed with fresh mint and sugar, often served with dramatic pouring from a height.
Integral to hospitality; serving tea is a sign of welcome and friendship.
Russian Tea Tradition:
Uses a samovar to heat water and brew strong black tea (zavarka).
Tea is diluted in cups and often sweetened with jam or lemon.
Social, practical, and adaptable to cold climates.
Conclusion
Chinese tea ceremonies, particularly the Gongfu style, are a celebration of mindfulness, cultural heritage, and refined sensory experience. While other tea traditions around the world highlight social, spiritual, or culinary values, Chinese tea culture uniquely combines aesthetics, philosophy, and ritual to elevate tea into an art of life.
