Qingchi Tea

Qingchi Tea

Qingchi Tea is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Qingchi Tea boasts a long and storied history, tracing back to the Western Han Dynasty. According to historical accounts, in the 20th year of Yuanding (135 BC), Tang Meng, a military official from Hanzhong, was sent by Emperor Wu of Han. Leading a thousand Bashu soldiers and a supply convoy of over ten thousand people carrying food, textiles, gold, silver, and treasures, he departed from Fuguan at the Chishui River estuary (present-day Hounan Upper Wharf in Hejiang County, Sichuan Province). Traveling up the Chishui River, they stopped at Qingchi, near ancient Liji, before continuing northward along the Beipan River to reach the Yelang Kingdom. There, Tang Meng persuaded the Yelang King, Doutong, to submit to the Han Dynasty.

　　In 2009, Jinsha County was officially named the "Hometown of Chinese Tribute Tea" by the China Tea Marketing Association, hence Qingchi Tea is also referred to as "Jinsha Tribute Tea."

　　Ancient tea trees are undoubtedly witnesses to the heritage of Qingchi Tribute Tea, but how did the tribute tea make its way out in those days? Our attention turns to the Salt-Tea Ancient Road beneath our feet. This historic route spans Sichuan and Guizhou provinces, crossing the Yutang River and passing through Qingchi Town. To the north lies Guizhou County in Sichuan Province, and to the south is Jinsha County in Guizhou Province. Within the county, it is bounded by the Yutang River and stretches approximately 70 kilometers in length, about 1 meter wide, running from northwest to southeast through dozens of villages including Qingchi and Shichang. The road features over ten stone arch bridges and flagstone-paved crossings of various sizes. The road surface is paved with durable natural stones that resist wear and maintain flatness. In Qingchi Town, the ancient salt routes crisscross, and the “chop marks” made by porters resting their carrying poles on the stone slabs are still clearly visible.

　　Walking westward along the time-worn Salt-Tea Ancient Road, after about 5 kilometers at Xiadalikeng, you arrive at the edge of the Yutang River. It is an extraordinarily beautiful river. Originating in Zhenxiong, Yunnan, it flows all the way here and then pours into the territory of Qingchi. Its dozens of kilometers of flowing water transform into a green ribbon winding among emerald peaks. When calm, its waters are crystal clear, reflecting the azure sky; when rapid, it cascades in roaring waterfalls, thundering with a sound that shakes the heavens. At the “Living Fish Pond” section of the river, the bold characters “Thunderous Roar and Surging Waves” carved into a protruding stone pillar are still faintly visible. Towering green mountains stand facing each other on both banks, densely forested without the noise of machinery—only birdsong and floral scents fill the air. It is the mother river of Jinsha. Flowing eastward, less than a hundred kilometers downstream lies the world-renowned Maotai Distillery, and the river is known as the Maotai River or Chishui River, eventually joining the Yangtze River in Hejiang, Sichuan. As the upper reaches of the Chishui River, this area—aside from Maotai Town—is likely the last mandatory passage for Sichuan salt entering Guizhou. It is said, “The fame of Qingchi tea throughout the world is also due to this river.”

　　About 500 meters further up along the southern bank, there once stood a “Tribute Tea Stele.” Luo Chengzhong, the headmaster of Qingchi Primary School and an expert in local chronicles, explained that this “Tribute Tea Stele” was erected during the Jiaqing era. It bore inscriptions such as: “Qingshuitang Tea was transported by boat via Guizhou out of Sichuan, selling well everywhere, presented as an annual tribute, alas produced in small quantities!” Unfortunately, this stele was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution and lost, with only records remaining in the Jinsha County Annals.

　　About 1,000 meters south from this stele, at Guanyinyan Pass, another “Tribute Tea Stele” stands by the ancient road. Judging from the remaining inscriptions, it was erected in the fifth year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty, though it is now heavily damaged, with only parts remaining. It is said that there used to be another stele here, which was also destroyed many years ago. These three stelae were erected during the Jiaqing, Tongzhi, and Guangxu eras respectively, so locals refer to them as the “Three Steles,” and the surrounding area is also called “Three Steles.”

　　History

　　According to later records in the Dading Prefecture Annals: When Tang Meng was on his mission to Yelang, he stayed in Qingchi for a day. To welcome him, the local ethnic minorities served him newly roasted tea from their homes. Thirsty and tired, Tang Meng and his troops, upon tasting Qingchi Tea, exclaimed, “Since leaving the capital, nearly a year has passed, yet I have not tasted such fine tea.” Before departing, Tang Meng bought ten catties of the tea to present as tribute to Emperor Wu of Han. After tasting it, the emperor spoke highly of it and personally named the tea “Yelang Tea,” decreeing it as a tribute tea.

　　Development

　　“To understand the tribute tea culture of Jinsha, one must visit Qingchi Town.” “The reason Jinsha County earned the title ‘Hometown of Tribute Tea’ is thanks to the ancient town of Qingchi. In ancient times, it was Qingchi’s tea that was presented to the emperor.” Qingchi Town is 60 kilometers from the county seat of Jinsha, located on the banks of the Yutang River in the upper reaches of the Chishui River, situated in the northwest of Jinsha County along the Sichuan-Guizhou border. It lies at the intersection of two provinces and three prefecture-level cities. To the north, it borders Guizhou County in Sichuan across a narrow strip of water; to the west, it neighbors Tiankan Township in Bijie City; to the east, it adjoins Jiucang and Longjing townships in Renhuai City. It is the lowest-altitude area in the county.

　　Qingchi also preserves many ancient tea trees with histories of over a thousand years, a rarity in the nation. At Daya, a massive tea tree stands by the roadside. These trees have trunks with a diameter of 60 centimeters, a height of 45 centimeters, and branches with diameters exceeding 30 centimeters. The tree stands about 12 meters tall with exceptionally developed roots and a canopy covering an area of 60 square meters. Experts from the Provincial Tea Association identified it as nearly 2,000 years old, and locals call it the “Sacred Tea Tree.” However, folklore says it is one of the tea trees planted by “Liushicha,” the son of the chieftain of Bahu Cave in Yutang River and the adopted son of Lady She Xiang, to mark the path guiding Lady She Xiang to Yutang River. It is also the sole surviving ancient tea tree preserved by locals in memory of Lady She Xiang after tea farmers destroyed tea trees to resist cruel taxes imposed by the imperial court. According to Si Kaili, the owner of the tea tree, it can yield over a hundred catties of fresh leaves each year. The processed tea features uniform strips, bright liquor, mellow and rich flavor, and lingering aroma. Over 400 years ago, Taoist priests on Mount Luzhu dug 36 wells, using the water to brew morning tea for the bodhisattvas, producing 36 different colors and fragrances. Those lucky enough to drink a cup while pilgrimage were believed to gain longevity. Today, among the 300-plus residents here, there are five over 90 years old and over 30 over 70. Around this large tea tree, there are also over 300 acres of ancient tea trees, all propagated from it, some growing as tall as one or two zhang.

　　At Huilong Bay. The largest tree among the tea tree clusters is called the “Big Tea Tree” by locals and is a precious survivor of the Salt-Tea Ancient Road. Experts estimate its age at over a thousand years. This tree stands 13 meters tall, with a trunk diameter of 58 centimeters and a canopy covering 48 square meters. Lush and leafy, it yields over 70 catties of fresh leaves annually. The rolled Taiwan-style tea is brown and strip-shaped, mixed with leaves and stems. When brewed in a sand pot over charcoal fire, the liquor turns a brown-green color with a rich aroma, known for its refreshing and vision-improving effects. Surveys show there are over 600 acres of century-old tea plantations nearby.

　　Administrative region of Qingchi Town, Jinsha County, Bijie City, Guizhou Province.

　　Letter from Jinsha County People’s Government Regarding the Proposal to Designate the Protected Area for Qingchi Tea as a Geographical Indication Product (Jin Fu Han [2015] No. 99)

　　Guizhou Provincial Local Standard:

　　Qingchi Tea (Draft)