An overseas tea artist demonstrates tea art at a competition in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on April 20. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, cementing its position as the "capital of tea", recently opened a tea art competition at the China National Tea Museum in Hangzhou, local media reported on May 7.

Held for 11 consecutive years, the annual tea industry event drew 112 domestic and overseas families from 17 countries and regions this year, including Japan, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, India and Poland.

It aims to inform more people about tea culture and improve tea art skills.

"I've heard of tea ceremony and found it quite interesting. The competition allows me to visit the China National Tea Museum and learn about the long history of Chinese tea culture, which is amazing," said a Vietnamese postgraduate from Zhejiang University.

As a professional museum dedicated to promoting Chinese tea culture, the China National Tea Museum has carried out a series of tea culture exchange activities since its establishment 30 years ago.

A contestant performs tea art at a competition in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on April 20. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

A contestant wearing costume from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) performs tea art at a competition in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on April 20. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]