At first glance, Xiamei Village in Fujian Province looks like a typical rural haven. Yet in ancient times, this unassuming community lay at the start of an important trading route, the Ten Thousand Mile Tea Road, which stretched all the way to St. Petersburg in Russia and was used to trade not only tea but a variety of other commodities. Xiamei today is a cultural gem, where the quaint cobblestone streets are lined with examples of well-preserved architecture from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and small boutiques and restaurants add a touch of contemporary charm.