A stone inscribed with 'the source of Eurasian tea road' is pictured in Chibi, Central China's Hubei province, on November 29, 2016. [Photo by Zhu Lingqing/chinadaily.com.cn]

Facing new challenges, Gan believed now is the best time for tea men like him.

"As Chinese people are getting rich day by day and have greater spending power, the tea market has the opportunity to boom. Brick dark tea, not only having health care function but also suitable for storage, has the potential to become new hot collection," he said.

In addition, under the Belt and Road Initiatives, brick tea made by Zhaoliqiao Tea Factory can further develop markets in central Asian countries, Russia and European Union countries, Gan said.

Zhaoliqiao Tea Factory's brick tea production technique is a national representative of the Intangible Cultural Heritage project. In addition, Zhaoliqiao Tea has been recognized as a China Time-honored Brand.