Yunnan’s Mangshi Coffee Festival Launches Coffee Farm Tours

If you’ve ever wondered where your cup of Yunnan coffee really comes from—or wanted to pick your own coffee cherries—China’s first fully integrated coffee tourism experience now lets you do just that. Launched during the fourth Mangshi International Coffee Culture Festival, the 'Hougu Coffee Journey' offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at coffee from tree to cup.

The new coffee tourism route combines coffee harvesting, factory tours, and local tastings in one seamless trip. It’s the country’s only route that includes agricultural farming, industrial processing, and brand experience all in one.

What Is the Hougu Coffee Journey?

Unveiled during the fourth annual Mangshi International Coffee Culture Festival (held January 23–25, 2016) in Dehong, Yunnan, the 'Hougu Coffee Journey' is a first-of-its-kind coffee tourism route in China. It links coffee cherry picking, ecological farm tours, factory visits, and local coffee shopping into a single experience. The route was developed by Hougu Coffee , working with the Dehong Tourism Group and multiple travel agencies to bring more visitors into direct contact with coffee cultivation and production.

Where Does the Tour Take You?

The tour includes a visit to Hougu Coffee’s state-of-the-art 10,000-ton instant coffee factory—the largest of its kind in Asia when completed—and the nearby Hougu Coffee Farm No. 1, just two kilometers away. The farm features the scenic Padiz Reservoir and rolling coffee terraces. Visitors can pick coffee cherries using traditional bamboo baskets, watch 'fresh fruit coffee' being made on-site, and even take part in the ancient Yunnan coffee ritual known as 'Kissun Coffee' (《》), which involves harvesting and processing coffee in a traditional way.

Tour participants can also shop at the 'Hougu Coffee Factory Store', which sells a wide range of coffees at 'Industry 4.0' factory-direct prices. For the adventurous, the tour includes a chance to taste the rare and controversial kopi luwak, or civet coffee.

What’s Next for Hougu Coffee?

Hougu Coffee also announced plans to build an additional 20,000-ton coffee production line, expected to be completed by the end of 2016. Once operational, this will make Hougu the largest instant coffee producer in Asia. The company already operates 3,000-ton, 10,000-ton, and upcoming 20,000-ton production lines, forming a complete coffee industry ecosystem in its industrial park—from planting and processing to trade and branding.

The festival itself attracted over 300 coffee professionals from more than 20 countries and regions, as well as 10 domestic provinces and cities, all gathering in Mangshi, Yunnan, to support the growth of China’s coffee industry and the Yunnan coffee sector in particular.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Hougu Coffee Journey?

The Hougu Coffee Journey is China’s first integrated coffee tourism route, combining coffee cherry picking, farm tours, factory visits, and coffee tastings. Launched in 2016 during the Mangshi International Coffee Culture Festival, it connects agricultural, industrial, and brand experiences in one trip.

Where is the Hougu Coffee Journey located?

The journey takes place in Dehong, Yunnan, near the city of Mangshi. Key sites include the Hougu Coffee Farm No. 1, which is close to the Padiz Reservoir, and the Hougu Coffee factory, one of Asia’s largest instant coffee plants.

Can visitors pick coffee cherries on the tour?

Yes, visitors can pick coffee cherries using traditional bamboo baskets. They can also observe the making of 'fresh fruit coffee' and participate in the traditional 'Kissun Coffee' harvesting and processing method unique to Yunnan.

What coffee products are available at the factory store?

The Hougu Coffee Factory Store offers a wide selection of coffee products sold at factory-direct prices. This includes regular offerings as well as rare options like civet coffee (kopi luwak).

Is the 20,000-ton coffee production line running yet?

As of the 2016 announcement, the 20,000-ton production line was under construction and expected to be completed by the end of that year. Once done, it would make Hougu the largest instant coffee producer in Asia.

How many people attended the coffee festival?

The fourth Mangshi International Coffee Culture Festival hosted over 300 attendees from more than 20 countries and regions, along with participants from 10 domestic provinces and cities.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Trips

For anyone inspired by Yunnan’s coffee farms, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Yunnan Arabica—a washed Yunnan Typica with soft nutty and chocolate notes, balanced acidity, and a gentle plum hint. For a deeper dive into heritage varieties, the 2013 Sun-Dried Typica offers balanced acidity with deep berry, caramel, and dried apricot notes, finishing with tea-like brightness. Both beans are grown in Yunnan’s high-altitude regions and reflect the terroir that makes the province’s coffee unique. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.