The Great Tea Race from China to London, including Hong Kong

HF: In the middle third of the 19th century, the clippers which carried cargoes of tea from China to Britain would compete in informal races to be the first ship in London with the new crop of each season.

A painting of Ariel and Taeping. Source: wikipedia

Tea was introduced from China to Europe in the 17th century, but, as a luxury item, was not transported in significant quantities until the 19th century. China was the main centre of production until late in the 19th century. The British East India Company’s monopoly of the tea trade from China to Britain ceased in 1834. This opening to competition meant that faster ships were needed, as merchants vied to be first in the market with each new crop of tea.

Unlike the slower East Indiamen that had carried tea during that company’s monopoly, the tea clippers were designed for speed.