The 2026 Hunan “Tea BA” National Day basketball series opened on October 4 in the main drying yard of Lvdongshan Town, located in Baojing County, Hunan Province, bringing together rural squads from the border regions of Hunan, Guizhou, Chongqing, and Hubei.
Opening Day at the Lvdongshan Main Drying Yard
Local media reports show that the opening ceremony featured an opening Miao drum dance, tea art and tea song performances highlighting Baojing golden tea, alongside Miao flower cymbals, lion dancing, and martial arts demonstrations. Participants and spectators joined to lift a massive national flag along the court and sing “Ode to the Motherland.”
The tournament runs from October 4 through October 7. Teams competing in the bracket consist primarily of local tea farmers, village residents, returning youth, and grassroots administrators playing under current Chinese Basketball Association rules through group round-robins and crossover playoffs.
Player Perspectives from the Miao Mountain Courts
“I am a native tea farmer from the Miao region and have participated in the Lvdongshan ‘Tea BA’ multiple times,” player Wu Lilong told local reporters, noting that he aimed to exchange skills with neighboring village squads and showcase the energy of the event. Another competitor, Tian Qingfeng, marked his fourth appearance in the tournament, pointing to the intense athletic atmosphere and welcoming crowds.
Rural Markets and Tourism Integration
Alongside the matches, a holiday rural market opened next to the court to host visitors. Activities included tours of the ancient village of Hangji, golden tea garden sightseeing, manual tea-frying demonstrations, Miao embroidery craft sessions, and communal long-table banquets. Local reports indicate that these combined agricultural and tourism attractions boosted bookings for village guesthouses and family-run restaurants across Lvdongshan.
