Niccolo Chengdu in Hong Kong has named Lily Zhou tea sommelier to help ensure guests understand the value of traditional, locally sourced teas.

Niccolo Chengdu in Hong Kong has named Lily Zhou tea sommelier to help ensure guests understand the value of traditional, locally sourced teas.

Zhou will lead an authentic, personalized tea ritual for guests at the hotel’s Tea Lounge. Among other tea varieties, the Tea Lounge serves its own exclusive, natural green tea from plans grown on the local Mengding tea mountain.

As Niccolo Chengdu’s tea sommelier, Lily Zhou (left) will lead a personalized tea ritual experience for guests at the hotel’s Tea Lounge.

Born into a family of tea farmers, Zhou worked on her household’s tea plantation starting at age 12. She studied under Wang Guofu, one of the world’s youngest tea masters. Currently Zhou is finishing her training and will complete her tea-sommelier studies in August.

“The history and culture of tea is nothing short of fascinating, and to have a certified tea sommelier available to both perform traditional tea ceremonies as well as offer advice and suggestions on the best types of tea for our guests will be an exciting and educational experience for all our guests,” said Andrew Abram, general manager of Niccolo Chengdu.