Chengbu Cyclocarya paliurus Tea

Chengbu Cyclocarya paliurus Tea

Chengbu Cyclocarya paliurus Tea is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Chengbu Cyclocarya paliurus Tea is a specialty of Chengbu, Shaoyang, Hunan.

　　The main products derived from Cyclocarya paliurus include Cyclocarya tea (including strip tea and tea bags), formulated Cyclocarya tea, Cyclocarya tea beverages, and Cyclocarya lozenges, with the primary production area being Chengbu Miao Autonomous County.

　　Chengbu Miao Autonomous County in Hunan is located on the southwestern border of the province, flanked by the treacherous Xuefeng Mountain Range to the east and west, bordering the international tourist city of Guilin to the south, and connecting to the scenic regions of the Three Xiangs and Four Waters to the north. It has long been known as the “Strategic Region of the Miao Frontier.”

　　Within Chengbu, towering mountains and crisscrossing rivers dominate the landscape. The terrain slopes from south to north, with the Nanling Mountain Range extending across the southern part and the Xuefeng Mountain Range rising to the east and west. This creates a topography where the eastern, southern, and western sides are rugged and mountainous, while the northern part features scattered hills and lowlands, forming a narrow, gently sloping plain that connects the northern and central areas. The county has 657 peaks over 1,000 meters in elevation and 816 rivers and streams of varying sizes. The average elevation across the county is 696.8 meters. The highest peak, Erbaoding, rises 2,021 meters above sea level in the eastern part of the county, while the lowest point, Yantangkou, is only 326 meters above sea level in the west. The Xuefeng Mountain Range runs vertically through the county, encircling it on the southeast and west sides. With significant undulations in elevation, the terrain is higher in the east and west, lower in the north, and shaped like an inverted basket opening to the north. The county is predominantly mountainous, with a mix of hills, plateaus, and valley plains. Mountains account for 90.78% of the land, hills for 2.2%, plateaus for 1.1%, valley plains for 2.7%, and water bodies for 3.22%.

　　Chengbu lies within the mid-subtropical monsoon humid climate zone and features a mid-subtropical mountain climate. It enjoys distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, mild winters, and cool summers, with a notable temperature inversion effect in the mountains. The annual sunshine duration ranges from approximately 1,134.6 to 1,601.5 hours, with an average annual temperature of 16.1°C, average annual precipitation of 1,218.5 mm, average annual snowfall days of 9.8, relative humidity averaging between 75–83%, average annual frost days of 17.1, and average annual freezing days of 8.7. While southerly winds prevail during midsummer and early autumn, the dominant wind direction is northerly, with an average wind speed of 2.3 m/s and maximum gusts reaching force eight or nine. As a river source county on the southwestern border of Hunan, Chengbu has deeply dissected terrain and a well-developed dendritic river system, with major rivers such as the Zi River, Wu River, Qu River, and Xun River all originating within its borders. Due to the combined influence of forest vegetation and complex terrain, the region enjoys a climate characterized by warm winters, cool summers, and significant diurnal temperature variations. Its three-dimensional and microclimatic conditions are highly pronounced, making it particularly conducive to the cultivation of Cyclocarya paliurus.

　　The area boasts uniquely rich and high-quality natural resources. There is China’s southern counterpart to the “Hulunbuir Grassland,” vast and rugged; the Shiwangtiangu Primitive Ecological Zone, vast and mystical; ancient Cathaya argyrophylla natural groves, sturdy and upright; a karst landform with a hundred-mile cave system, featuring caves within caves and interconnected passages, known as the most spectacular and intricate in the world; the 18-kilometer-long waterway of Baiyun Lake; the Liangjiang Canyon National Forest Park, acclaimed as the “Number One in Southeast Asia”; the ancient town of Chang’an; and the splendid cultures created by the Miao, Dong, Yao, and Man ethnic groups.

　　Chengbu County is rich in vegetation, with over 3.2 million mu of forest covering 83% of the county. Among this, the forests along both sides of the Liangjiang Canyon National Forest Park—some of which are pristine secondary forests—span approximately 200,000 mu, presenting a spectacular and beautiful landscape. Within its jurisdiction, the Yunnüxi Scenic Area has been measured by the Hunan Meteorological Bureau to maintain an annual negative ion concentration of around 8,000, making it the region with the highest negative ion levels in Hunan. Experts from institutions such as Central South University of Forestry and Technology have conducted ecological resource surveys of the Liangjiang Canyon and identified its extensive green forest belt as unique to Hunan, dubbing it the “Number One Green Corridor in Hunan.” The forest park is densely vegetated and rich in species, serving as an ideal natural “oxygen bar.” The raw materials for Cyclocarya paliurus tea primarily come from this ecological production area.

　　Historical origins and fame of the product.

　　During the Ming Dynasty, Li Tianbao led a Miao uprising. When the ruling authorities “crushed the rebellion,” they discovered abundant Cyclocarya paliurus resources around the area of Chang’an Camp in Chengbu. The Miao people would pick its leaves to make tea in spring and summer, selecting the finest brews as tribute for the ancient kingdom. After drinking Cyclocarya paliurus tea, the rebel soldiers were energized, strong, and morale soared, leading to repeated victories in battle. Li Tianbao, who proclaimed himself the Martial King, was overjoyed and issued an imperial edict designating Cyclocarya paliurus as the national tea. He urged all rebel soldiers and Miao people to drink it exclusively and ordered the protection of these trees, forbidding any damage or felling. Over time, the Miao people who drank Cyclocarya paliurus tea regularly experienced fewer illnesses and longer lives, believing it to be a divine gift. Thus, they revered the tree as sacred, marking ancient Cyclocarya trees by the roadside with piles of stones as symbols of its efficacy. Villagers would pay homage when passing by these sacred trees, and during seasonal festivals, they would offer incense and prayers. It was this reverence that allowed this rare and endangered plant to survive. Towering Cyclocarya groves stood like giant umbrellas, day and night, nourished by babbling streams. Their lush foliage bore fruit annually, appearing emerald green in spring and summer, and adorned with copper-colored “coins” in autumn. As the Song Dynasty poet Fan Chengda wrote in “Poem on the White Lotus Hall in Shihu Collection”: “Ancient trees tower protectively over the azure pool, delicate Cyclocarya leaves ripple on the water’s surface.”

　　In 1740, the Qing government established Chang’an Camp (now Chang’an Ying Township in Chengbu County) to suppress local Miao uprisings and ensure long-term stability in the region. This move strengthened the suppression of surrounding rebel forces and governance over local residents. Qing soldiers, who had come from far northern regions to the south, suffered from severe homesickness and fell ill due to the unfamiliar climate. Moved by their plight, local residents offered them Cyclocarya paliurus tea from their homes. After drinking it, the soldiers gradually recovered and were deeply grateful to the locals. From then on, they lived in harmony, and some even intermarried with the residents. Later, when Chang’an Camp was disbanded, many soldiers settled there permanently. To this day, numerous descendants of the Manchu soldiers remain in the area.

　　In the 1930s, several detachments of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army passed through Chengbu. One such group set out from Chengbu County, crossed Laoshanjie and Nanshan, and entered the area around Changying Township. Lush green mountains, cloaked in pristine secondary forests, and abundant Cyclocarya paliurus resources characterized the region. Every Miao household brewed tea using Cyclocarya leaves. Whenever the Red Army arrived, the Miao people warmly offered them Cyclocarya tea. An elderly man of ninety once brought a kettle of tea for the soldiers, who hesitated to drink it, noticing its difference from other teas. The old man assured them, “This tea is delicious—drink it without worry. It’s good for your health. I’ve been drinking Cyclocarya tea for decades and rarely get colds.” Convinced by his words, the soldiers drank heartily, some praising its fragrant aroma, sweet taste, and refreshing quality, calling it magical. Others remarked how comfortable it made them feel, convinced they were in a blessed place. To show their gratitude, the Red Army left behind some daily necessities for the Miao people as gifts when departing.

　　In Chengbu, Cyclocarya paliurus tea was traditionally consumed as a “sweet tea” before or after meals. People enjoyed its pleasant taste and the comfort it brought but were unaware of its rich content of trace elements. Starting in 1979, Professor Cao Tiru from Central South University of Forestry and Technology led a team of over ten forestry researchers. Over five years, they explored the mountains and forests of Chengbu, discovering large numbers of wild Cyclocarya paliurus trees in most towns, including Liangjiang Canyon, Dayang, Chang’an Ying, Lanrong, Tingping, Daguyuan, Weixi, and others. These were later recognized by national forestry authorities as the largest wild Cyclocarya paliurus population. Further research by forestry research institutions and medical universities across China revealed that Cyclocarya paliurus is rich in both organic and inorganic nutrients, offering significant benefits such as lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood lipids, boosting immunity, providing antioxidant effects, and combating aging. Some processing companies refined methods to turn Cyclocarya leaves into tea, which gained high local recognition and was distributed to regions including Liaoning, Beijing, Shandong, Hunan, Guangdong, Fujian, and Taiwan.

　　The production area of Chengbu Cyclocarya paliurus Tea includes the townships of Tingping, Chang’an Ying, Dankou, Baimaoping, Nanshan, Wutuan, Lanrong, and Weixi, as well as the villages of Jiangping, Jiucui Ping, Xinjianshui, Damushan, Mudaping, and Jinshui in Rulin Town, the villages of Daguyuan, Lianlong, and Gaomaotang in Maoping Town, and the villages of Shankou and Jinzi in Jinzi Township, Tongyuan, Yufeng, and Yuhe in Xiyang Town, all within the administrative boundaries of Chengbu Miao Autonomous County.

　　“Request from the People’s Government of Chengbu Miao Autonomous County Regarding the Delineation of the Protected Geographical Indication Product Area for ‘Chengbu Cyclocarya paliurus Tea,’” Chengzheng [2014] No. 163

　　Chengbu Miao Autonomous County Planting Technical Regulations: CBZJG09-2012 “Chengbu Cyclocarya paliurus Tea Production and Planting Technical Regulations”; Chengbu Cyclocarya paliurus Tea Co., Ltd. Enterprise Standard: Q/SCQL0001S-2015 “Chengbu Cyclocarya paliurus Tea (Substitute Tea)”

　　Information Source: Chengbu Government Website

　　Information Source: Chengbu Government Website