Inscription on the Rock about the Sacred Tea Garden of Ziyun Terrace

Inscription on the Rock about the Sacred Tea Garden of Ziyun Terrace

The Inscription on the Rock about the Sacred Tea Garden of Ziyun Terrace is a cultural relic under the protection of Sichuan Province.

Inscription on the Rock about the Sacred Tea Garden of Ziyun Terrace (Wanyuan County)

The cliff inscription "Record of the Sacred Tea Garden of Ziyun Terrace" is the best-preserved and earliest recorded stone-carved textual material related to tea planting activities in China. It is extremely rare, highly precious, and of great historical value for research into the history of tea in China. The original rubbing of the inscription has been collected by the China National Tea Museum. In 1991, it was designated as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit by the People's Government of Sichuan Province.

The cliff inscription "Record of the Sacred Tea Garden of Ziyun Terrace" was created in the third year of Daguan during the Northern Song Dynasty (1109). It is located on the rock face of the Su Family Stone at about 1 kilometer northwest of Gusheping Village, Shiwo Township, Wanyuan City. The lower edge of the inscription is 3.75 meters above the ground. The carved area is 2.36 meters long and 0.84 meters wide, containing 18 lines and 203 characters, arranged vertically from right to left. The title is written in clerical script, while the main text is in regular script, both carved in intaglio. The characters range from 0.05 to 0.08 meters in size, with a spacing of 0.03 meters between characters and 0.07 meters between lines. The full text reads:

Record of the Tea Garden of Ziyun Terrace

I have come to realize that this place of bountiful harvest and scenic beauty is known as the Terrace of the Ancient Village, nestled in the valley. Originally reclaimed from wasteland, it was once called the Homestead of the Great Yellow [Family]. This took place in the second year of Yuanyou era, during the month corresponding to Jiazhong, when all plants were sprouting vigorously and the warm yang energy had already arrived. Wang Ya, a former local dignitary, along with his son Wang Min, acquired the green tea from Jianxi here and planted it. A dozen years have passed, and the miraculous tea roots have flourished even more luxuriantly. Wang Min reflected upon how his ancestors undertook such a living endeavor, setting an example for their future generations and descendants, demonstrating everlasting prosperity and abundance through the flourishing of tea. By the time of Daguan era, they sought the writing of a monk from Penglai to carve this record onto stone. It can be admired and contemplated by later viewers, remaining undamaged through ancient and modern times. May those who come after also feel moved upon reading these words.

The poem reads: A small garden enclosed, reminiscent of Mengding, with sacred tea roots transplanted from Jianxi.

Last night’s wind and thunder brought early sprouting, green leaves rinsed by dew in spring fields.

Recorded on the 23rd day of the 10th month in the 3rd year of Daguan, by Wang Min

Brother: Wang Gu

Elder Brother: Wang Jun

Protected Area: Extending 3.3 meters eastward and westward, and 2.5 meters southward and northward from the distribution area.

Construction Control Zone: Extending 2.5 meters eastward and westward, and 2 meters southward and northward from the protected area.