Hanzhong Xianhao

Hanzhong Xianhao

Hanzhong Xianhao is a geographical indication protected product.

Hanzhong Xianhao is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Hanzhong Xianhao Effect

　　Hanzhong Xianhao is the collective name for three brands: “Wuzi Xianhao,” “Dingjun Mingmei,” and “Ningqiang Que She.” In the Qinba Mountains when March arrives and flowers are in full bloom, it’s once again the season of fragrant green tea. In early March, designated tea retail outlets across Hanzhong City—the main green tea producing area in southern Shaanxi—unifiedly replaced their storefront signs with designs featuring green tea plantations and printed with the words “Hanzhong Xianhao,” a national geographical indication product. Hanzhong Xianhao

　　Hanzhong is bordered by the Qinling Mountains to the north and the Bashan Mountains to the south, boasting a long history of tea production and superior ecological conditions in its tea-growing regions. The unique natural advantages of “high latitude, high altitude, high probability of cloud and fog, and high zinc and selenium content in the soil” have gradually enhanced the reputation of Hanzhong teas in the market. Since the late 1990s, the Hanzhong Municipal Government has prioritized the tea industry as one of its key green industries, increasing support and cultivation efforts which led to rapid development of the sector. However, during this growth, the Hanzhong tea industry fell into a prolonged period of brand confusion, inconsistent standards, price undercutting, and difficulties for consumers in making choices—all of which hindered further expansion and strengthening of the industry. In 2005, the Hanzhong Municipal Government initiated a brand integration effort for teas, streamlining the number of tea brands from over 20 down to three: “Wuzi Xianhao,” “Dingjun Mingmei,” and “Ningqiang Que She.” In December 2007, taking the opportunity to apply for geographical indication product protection, the government further consolidated all tea brands under a single name: “Hanzhong Xianhao.” The Hanzhong Municipal Government successively organized delegations to participate in the inaugural Xi’an Tea Expo and the fifth China International Tea Expo in Beijing, where “Hanzhong Xianhao” won multiple gold awards. Starting last year, the Hanzhong Tea Industry Association implemented a qualification certification system for designated production and sales enterprises of “Hanzhong Xianhao,” adopting a method of “voluntary enterprise application, expert evaluation, and certification with signage.” This included intensified training on standardized production techniques, unified signage for designated production and retail enterprises and stores, enhanced market supervision, and regulated business practices. To date, a total of 247 designated “Hanzhong Xianhao” production enterprises and 195 designated “Hanzhong Xianhao” sales enterprises have been certified across the city.

Zheng Zonglin, Vice Mayor of the Hanzhong Municipal Government, said in an interview with our reporter: “By leveraging the geographical indication product protection process, Hanzhong has vigorously advanced brand integration, unifying all local teas under the name ‘Hanzhong Xianhao.’ This has gradually resolved the long-standing issues of too many, too diverse, and too chaotic tea brands in Hanzhong’s tea industry, laying a solid foundation for further developing and strengthening the sector.”

　　The geographical indication protection scope of Hanzhong Xianhao is based on the area proposed in the report “Request for Hanzhong Xianhao to be Listed as a Geographical Indication Protected Product” (Han Zheng Han [2007] No. 107) issued by Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province. It includes the following 112 townships currently under jurisdiction: Xihexiang, Beiba Town, Fucheng Township, Baiyu Township, Xishenba Township, Huangguan Town, Lianghe Township, Tangkou Township, Qingshu Town, Hongmiao Town, Moujiaba Town, Chengguan Town, Gaojialing Township, Xiangshui Town, Fa Town, Shengshui Town, Xiaonanhai Town, Hujia Ying Township, Xiema Township, Xinzhen Town, Lianshui Town, Weijiaqiao Township, Xieshu Town in Nanzheng County; Dahe Town, Sishang Township, Luo Zhen Township, Liushu Town, Bailongtang Town, Baimianxia Township, Chatown, Majiawan Township, Gaochuan Town, Wuliba Town, Lianghekou Town, Chengguan Town, Yankou Town, Yanghe Town, Gucheng Town, Sanhuashi Township, Zuoxi Township, Xiakou Town, Luojiaba Township, Sidu Town, Shahe Town, Sangyuan Town in Xixiang County; Jingyang Town, Yangjiahe Township, Yudu Town, Chinan Township, Yanchang Town, Bashan Township, Guanyin Town, Tianba Township, Bamiao Town, Xinglong Town, Maliu Tan Township, Ping’an Township, Sanyuan Town, Changling Town, Lidibo Township, Ren’ancun Township, Jianchi Town, Yongle Township, Sanxi Township, Nianzi Town in Zhenba County; Dapan Township, Wudu Town, Sunping Town, Tianming Town, Yanjing Township, Erli Town, Sanhe Township, Dongjiaying Township, Shangyuan Guan Town in Chenggu County; Huangjinxia Town, Huangjiaying Town, Sangxi Township, Caomiao Township, Shiguan Township in Yang County; Qishu Ba Township in Mian County; Qingyangyi Town, Fujian Town, Yuandun Town, Xiaohemiao Township, Tonggousi Town, Tuguanpu Town, Wuhou Town, Dingjunshan Town, Xinpu Town, Chadian Town in Mian County; Hanyuan Town, Gaizhaizi Town, Hujiaba Town, Qingmuchuan Town, Tiesuo Guan Town, Shujia Ba Town, Guangping Town, Da’an Town, Kuanchuan Township, Bashan Town, Huangbayi Township in Ningqiang County; Jieguanting Town, Yudongzi Township, Hejiayan Town, Xiakouyi Town, Guo Town, Lianghekou Town, Guanyinsi Township, Xiantaiba Township, Jiuzhongjin Township, Baishigou Township, Heiheba Township in Lueyang County.