Linxiang Dark Tea is a specialty of Linxiang City, Yueyang, Hunan Province. Linxiang Dark Tea enjoys an outstanding reputation: since the Kangxi era, Linxiang green bricks have been exported to Russia, with peak annual sales reaching 17,000 tons, and today they have ranked first in national export volume for eight consecutive years; in frontier markets such as Qinghai and Inner Mongolia, Linxiang Dark Tea is a household name.
Tea has been a specialty of Yueyang through the ages. Ancient people once praised the Yueyang Tower. The Yuan Dynasty’s Gao Jueshang wrote in his "Bamboo Branch Lyrics of Dongting": “Busy picking tea before and after the rains, tender green shoots burst forth with an inch of fragrance.” This describes the bustling tea-picking scene on Dongting Lake and the fine quality of the tea. The Qing Dynasty poet Zeng Yu wrote in his "Tea Song": “Fragrant orchids and lotus leaves fill the hall, a unique harvest stands tall like flags and spears. Pluck each spear and flag at this time, brew them in a porcelain cup with the color of Xiang River water.” Here, the characteristics of Yueyang’s Dongting tea are depicted — the leaves are broad and robust, with pointed leaf hearts standing upright like spears or flags. When brewed in a cup, they rise and fall, resembling swords and spears in formation. Their color resembles that of river water. As the ancients said, “In spring, the river water is as green as blue,” which tells us the tea has a vibrant, glossy green hue. Just observing its shape and admiring its color is enough to delight the eye. Not to mention tasting its flavor — the refreshing sensation goes without saying. Junshan’s Maojian, Que She, and Yin Zhen teas have been tribute teas throughout the dynasties and have long been famous across the land. But in fact, the earliest and most renowned tea from Yueyang is Yonghu Tea. Yonghu Tea has an even longer history, with written records dating back to the Tang Dynasty. Li Zhao’s "Tang Guo Shi Bu" (Supplement to the Tang Dynastic History) states: “The custom venerates tea, and there are many renowned types of tea… In Hunan there is Hengshan, and in Yueyang there is Yonghu’s Gan Gao (tea rich in essence).” The Northern Song Dynasty’s "Yueyang Local Customs Record" provides a clearer description of Yonghu Tea: “The various hills around Yonghu produce tea, called Yonghu Tea, which is what Li Zhao referred to as Yueyang’s Yonghu Gan Gao. The people of the Tang Dynasty held it in high esteem, as seen in their poetry. Nowadays, people do not plant it much, only the Baima (White Crane) monks’ garden has over a thousand tea bushes, and the land is quite similar to Beiyuan. The tea produced there amounts to no more than one or two taels a year. The locals call it Baima Tea, which has an extremely sweet and fragrant taste, unmatched by other ordinary teas, and even the color of the tea garden soil is similar.” From these records, we can see that Yonghu Tea was highly reputed in the Tang Dynasty and was widely cultivated. Yonghu Tea has its own distinctive features — its color resembles that of the soil, and its taste is extremely sweet and fragrant. The so-called “Gan Gao” is a name for tea, where “Gao” refers to fat, oil, or paste-like substances. Gan Gao is an extremely concentrated tea, incomparable to other ordinary teas. In ancient times, people were very particular about drinking tea. Aside from selecting the quality of the tea and water, they also paid attention to the material and style of the tea ware. Lu Yu, the Tea Sage of the Tang Dynasty, authored the "Classic of Tea," which discusses the types of tea, cultivation, and usage. It mentions the characteristics of Yueyang kiln celadon. The Yueyang Kiln was one of the six famous kilns of the Tang Dynasty in China. The celadon fired by the Yueyang Kiln had a glaze color very similar to that of tea, which was highly admired. At that time, tea ware was exquisitely crafted. The fact that the "Classic of Tea" mentioned the products of the Yueyang Kiln proves how much importance was attached to tea ware at the time. Brewing Yueyang Yonghu Tea in Yueyang Kiln celadon cups was considered unparalleled in the Tang Dynasty.
Yueyang has a long history of tea production and a profound tea culture. It is not only an important tea-producing region in Hunan but also a representative origin of Chinese yellow tea. Among its teas, Junshan Silver Needle and Beigang Maojian are particularly outstanding, regarded as the finest yellow teas throughout China’s history. Legend has it that over 4,000 years ago, during Emperor Shun’s southern tour, his wives Ehuang and Nüying searched for him and arrived at Junshan Island. Upon hearing of Emperor Shun’s…
Junshan Silver Needle, one of China’s famous yellow teas. Junshan tea originated in the Tang Dynasty and was included among tribute teas during the Qing Dynasty. Junshan is an island in Dongting Lake, Yueyang County, Hunan Province. The island has fertile soil, mostly sandy loam, with an average annual temperature of 16–17 degrees Celsius, annual rainfall of about 1,340 millimeters, and high relative humidity. In spring and summer, lake water evaporates, creating misty clouds. The island is covered with lush trees, offering a natural environment ideal for tea tree growth, with tea plantations spread across its hills.
Ningshan, bordering Taojiang and Anhua, is an area with steep mountains, persistent fog, and high humidity all year round. The local ground tea has the effects of clearing heat, relieving summer fatigue, soothing the liver, regulating the intestines, and refreshing the mind. To cope with such weather conditions, the habit of eating ground tea has been maintained for many years. The history of ground tea goes back a very long way. In Fujian, there is a legend that “Lei Da, a She ethnic from Jianyang County, was the originator of ground tea”...
Bayejiao Village in Weishan Town is located in the western mountainous area of Ningxiang County, Hunan Province. The Weishan region has a long history of tea production, dating back to the Tang and Song dynasties when it was the original source of tribute tea for the imperial court. Bayejiao Village is the birthplace of Weishan tea. Leveraging this historical resource advantage, the village actively promotes the "one village, one product" initiative, establishing the development of premium-quality tea as a key strategy for poverty alleviation and prosperity. A tea cooperative has been formed, and an 8,000-mu tea plantation base has been developed. The village is vigorously advancing large-scale, standardized, branded, and market-oriented tea production, working to build the Weishan tea brand. Today, every household in Bayejiao Village owns tea gardens and engages in tea picking, with over 80% of the households specializing in the tea industry.
Produced in the scenic tourist area of Heimifeng in Wangcheng County. The tea boasts a unique flavor, cool and refreshing taste, lingering aftertaste, clear color, and delicate leaf texture. However, due to geographical constraints, its yield is low, and it was once used as a tribute in ancient times. …
Changsha Maojian Jasmine Tea has a unique flavor, with tightly rolled leaves, rich and mellow tea taste, fresh and lively floral aroma that is pure and long-lasting. After brewing, the liquor is bright yellow-green, the leaves are tender and even, and it is highly resistant to multiple infusions, leaving a lingering fragrance in the mouth — making it a standout among floral teas. Changsha has a long history of producing both tea and jasmine flowers. The Ming Dynasty's Jiajing-era "Changsha Prefecture Records" mentions &q
Changsha Maojian Jasmine Tea has a unique flavor, with tightly rolled leaves, rich and mellow tea taste, fresh and vibrant floral aroma that is pure and long-lasting. After brewing, the liquor is bright yellow-green, the leaves are tender and even, and it can withstand multiple infusions. It leaves a lingering fragrance in the mouth, making it a standout among floral teas. Changsha has a long history of producing both tea and jasmine flowers. The Ming Dynasty's *Changsha Prefecture Records* from the Jiajing era already noted &q
Ningxiang Weishan Maojian Tea is said to have been a tribute tea during the Tang Dynasty. The Tongzhi-era *Ningxiang County Annals* record: "Tea is produced at places such as Liudu'an and Luoxian Peak on Weishan Mountain, but Weishan tea is regarded as the finest." The Republican-era *Ningxiang County Annals* state: "Weishan tea is harvested before the rainy season, fragrant, tender, and mellow, rivaling Wuyi and Longjing teas. The product is sold in provinces such as Gansu and Xinjiang, yielding substantial profits over the years, with those few bushes within the Mi'inyin Temple grounds being especially excellent." The ethnic minorities of China's northwestern frontier have long regarded Weishan Maojian Tea as the most precious gift tea. [Name redacted] also enjoyed drinking this tea. Weishan is a natural basin atop the greater Weishan Mountain, situated at a high elevation, surrounded by peaks, dense with forests, and perennially shrouded in mist—hence the saying, "A thousand mountains and rivers flow toward Weishan; yet upon arriving, one sees no mountain." The tea gardens here feature black sandy loam soil, with deep layers and rich humus. The tea trees are nourished by rain and dew, resulting in deep roots, lush foliage, sturdy stems, plump buds, abundant fuzz, and strong tenderness—making them the finest raw material for producing premium tea. After processing, the tea leaves have slightly curled edges, are flake-shaped, resemble orchid blossoms, and boast a yellowish-bright, glossy hue with white down. When brewed, the liquor is bright orange-yellow, rich with smoky aroma, and offers a mellow, sweet, and refreshing taste with a unique character. (Changsha)
Gaoqiao YinFeng Tea is produced in Gaoqiao Township, Changsha County. Nestled at the foot of Yuhuang Peak, the area is surrounded by lush green hills and dotted with rivers and lakes. It boasts deep soil layers, abundant rainfall, and a mild climate, making it a historic hub for premium tea production. The *Changsha County Annals: Local Products* states that in 1810 (the 15th year of the Jiaqing reign during the Qing Dynasty), the region’s tea varieties included Baozhu, Dan Ye, and Hong Bai. The Republican-era *Survey of Hunan Tea Production* also noted: “The green tea from Changsha’s Jinxiu Town (i.e., Gaoqiao) has long been renowned.”
The Changsha region is rich in tea production. As early as the Tang Dynasty, poets praised it with verses such as "Xiang and Zi rivers shimmer with light floral blooms." By the time of the Five Dynasties and the Ma Chu Kingdom, the tea industry in Changsha flourished, and tea trade with the north became one of the city's main sources of fiscal revenue. Changsha boasts a rich variety of renowned teas, the most famous being Gaoqiao Yinfeng, Chang...
Gaoqiao Town boasts beautiful mountains and clear waters, with vast hilly areas far from urban factories and free from pollution—making it an ideal place for tea cultivation. Since the 1950s, Jin Xuan tea has been introduced and planted here. After decades of refinement, a high-quality variety of Jin Xuan tea has been gradually developed. This tea features a bright emerald-green color, a fresh, mellow, and sweet taste, along with a rich and fragrant aroma.
Minghuang Tea adheres to the philosophy of “natural, green, and healthy.” Leveraging technology and the base’s soil rich in rare trace elements along with its superior natural environment, it has developed an organic tea program: the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers is strictly prohibited in cultivation and management. Instead, a self-made bio-organic fertilizer, formulated by food and healthcare experts, is applied. Pest control...
The village of Nanyong in Tangzhan Town has a long history of tea cultivation, with limited production that is entirely hand-roasted, resulting in superior quality. Legend has it that General Zhang Yan favored Nanyong tea from a young age and, throughout his military career, often carried Nanyong tea with him as he fought across the country. After General Zhang Yan's sacrifice, to commemorate his great achievements, the people of Tangzhan honored the tea from Nanyong by calling it General Tea. The Eastern Han Dynasty...
Xintong Tea is best known for its Churuilong variety. When steeped in boiling water, the tea leaves unfurl in the cup, with tender buds standing upright and a delicate fragrance wafting through the air. After drinking, it leaves a refreshing and clean sensation on the palate, with a lingering sweet aftertaste that is truly unforgettable. Xintong Town is located in the eastern part of Gaozhou City. The area is rich in natural produce, especially lychees and tea, earning it the reputation as the “Hometown of Tea and Fruit.” Among these, Xintong Tea is particularly famous.
The green tea produced in Xindong Town, Gaozhou City, is a high-quality, fragrant tea beloved by tea enthusiasts. Xindong Green Tea comes from Churuilong Village in Xindong Town. According to the *Gazetteer of Gaozhou Prefecture*: “Tea produced in Maoming’s Xindong is several feet tall, and the best is picked before Grain Rain, with that from Chushuilong being the finest.” It turns out that behind Chushuilong Village…
Chashan Sanhua Plums are famous both within and beyond Guangdong Province, and the area is one of the largest high-quality Sanhua plum production bases in western Guangdong. The town has developed a total planting area of 42,000 mu, with an annual output of nearly 40,000 tons and a production value exceeding 100 million yuan. It has been honored as an “Industrial Base of China’s Leading County (City) in the Sanhua Plum Industry.”
【Name】Heliu Tea【Introduction】Xinyi Heliu Tea was historically listed as a tribute tea. It is now included in China’s Famous Teas – Historical Teas category, featured in the "China Famous Teas Compendium · Guangdong Volume," and is one of Guangdong Province’s 15 famous teas. Premium-grade green tea features tightly rolled leaves, abundant fine hairs, and a jade-green color. The tea liquor is green and clear and bright...
Banyan Tea, also known as Colored Glaze Tea, gets its name from being produced near the ancient official route in Banyan Market. Some say the tea leaves are slender and tender, with a lush green color, and their shape resembles that of an ancient banyan tree—hence the name. Additionally, the area where Banyan Tea is grown was once known for Colored Glaze Tea (built during the Ming Chongzhen era by Prefect Zhao Shijin), and next to the temple there was a well called the Colored Glaze Well. The water from this well is crystal clear and sweet to the taste. When Banyan Tea is brewed with water from the Colored Glaze Well, its flavor becomes especially fragrant and mellow, which is why it is also called Colored Glaze Tea.