Anxi County

Wenshan Baozhong tea is a type of Oolong (or Qing) tea from the Taiwan region and is one of the most lightly oxidized fragrant Oolong teas, with an oxidation level of 8% to 12%. Due to its light baking and fermentation process, it exhibits a fresh and uplifting aroma, hence it's also known as "Qing Cha" or "Clear Tea." This tea is produced in the northern areas of Taipei City and New Taipei City, including Wenshan and Nangang in Taipei City, and Xindian, Pinglin, Shenkeng, Shiding, Pingxi, and Xizhi in New Taipei City. It has a history spanning over two hundred years. As a representative of northern Taiwan Oolong tea, Wenshan Baozhong is renowned alongside Dongding Oolong, enjoying the reputation of "North Wenshan, South Dongding." In 1869, Oolong tea from Taiwan was successfully exported to the United States by British merchant Tod and comprador Li Chunsheng. However, in 1873, due to poor sales, merchants sent unsold stocks of Oolong tea to Fuzhou where they were processed into fragrant Baozhong tea by adding floral scents, which unexpectedly received a positive response. In 1881, Fujianese tea merchant Wu Fuyuan (also known as Wu Fulao) crossed the sea to Taiwan and established the…

Photography by Donghua Huang China Tea Capital - Anxi Upon entering the China Tea Capital in Anxi, one is greeted by rows of tea shops, the air filled with the aroma of tea, and a dazzling array of teas including Tieguanyin, Dahongpao, Pu'er, Longjing, white tea, dark tea, and more—making it a true "Capital of a Hundred Teas Trade." Anxi, the birthplace of Chinese Oolong tea and the origin of the world-famous Tieguanyin, has leveraged its strengths to develop its tea industry, setting national records for tea plantation area, tea production, and per capita tea income, shedding its title as the "largest state-designated impoverished county." Photography by Guoping Chen However, this major tea-producing county once lacked a large-scale trading market, preventing farmers from directly connecting with domestic and overseas buyers, making it difficult to sell their tea. Photography by Donghua Huang In 2000, with the assistance of the provincial government, Anxi County raised 120 million RMB through auctions and leases, primarily from domestic and overseas sources, to build the China Tea Capital – Anxi National Tea Wholesale Market. After the market was established, transactions became active, and farmers' incomes increased. Photography by Ying Lin On the evening of October 15,…

To support the vigorous implementation of return-home social practice by university students and rural revitalization, from July 14 to July 23, the "Village Rhythm" practice team from the North China University of Technology, building on the phased research results of their earlier "return home" social practice, conducted in-depth fieldwork in southern Fujian. They carried out activities themed around "Boosting Rural Revitalization of Fujian's Tea Industry," aiming to fulfill their mission, enrich farmers, and assist in revitalization. Following the basic guidelines of integrating governance with education, science and technology with education, and industry with education, they aimed to deliver a "traveling major ideological and political lesson." In this process, they received education, developed their abilities, and made contributions in the societal classroom, giving back to their hometown through concrete actions. Integration of Governance and Education, Gathering Great Ideological Power The Village Rhythm practice team seized the opportunity of red education, learning ideas and strengthening spirits, closely combining ideological and political education with academic practice teaching. Upholding the practice philosophy of "leadership guidance, practicing our original aspirations," they integrated youth ideological and political education throughout social practice. Through visits to the Xiamen Tong'an Highland Party School's Museum of Original Aspirations and Missions,…

Fujian Anxi is the birthplace of Oolong tea and the origin of the famous Tieguanyin variety. The people of Anxi have capitalized on their strengths by developing the tea industry, ranking among the top in the country in terms of tea plantation area, tea production, and per capita tea income. However, this major tea-producing county once lacked a large-scale trading market, preventing direct transactions between tea farmers and buyers from home and abroad, making it difficult to sell tea.In 2000, with assistance from the Fujian provincial government, Anxi County raised 120 million RMB through auctions and leasing, primarily from domestic and overseas sources, to build the China Tea Capital – Anxi National Tea Wholesale Market. After its construction, trading activity increased, and tea farmers' incomes rose as well. Tea farmers picking tea. Photograph by Chen Guoping The key to industrialization is marketization. To that end, Anxi not only built the China Tea Capital but also established other national and regional wholesale markets and trading centers like the China Specialty City and China Tea Expo, which have been designated as “designated markets” by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and awarded titles such as “key tea market” and “capital of…

Basic Introduction to Tieguanyin of Anxi Tieguanyin was invented by Han Chinese tea farmers in Anxi, Fujian Province between 1725 and 1735. It originated from Yaoyang Mountain in Xiping Town, Anxi County (as per the Wang account). It belongs to the oolong tea category and is one of China's Top Ten Famous Teas, representing oolong teas. It is midway between green tea and black tea. The pure Tieguanyin plant is a shrub type with a sprawling growth habit, oblique branches, and leaves that are horizontally positioned. As a semi-fermented tea, it possesses the general health benefits of tea and was presented as the top of the Top Ten Famous Teas at the Shanghai World Expo in 2010. Nutritional Value The organic chemical components in Tieguanyin, such as tea polyphenols, catechins, and various amino acids, are significantly higher than those in other types of tea. The inorganic mineral elements include abundant potassium, calcium, magnesium, cobalt, iron, manganese, aluminum, sodium, zinc, copper, nitrogen, phosphorus, fluorine, iodine, and selenium. The inorganic mineral elements in Tieguanyin, such as manganese, iron, fluoride, potassium, and sodium, are higher than those in other types of tea. Product Characteristics Appearance: robust, round, resembling the head of a dragonfly,…

Driving for a little over an hour from Quanzhou, Fujian, you arrive at Xiping Town, Anxi County—the birthplace of Tieguanyin. Xiping was once known as Qipeng, named after the mythical great roc said to have rested here. After passing through the town, we entered the winding mountain roads, our car like a fish swimming upstream into a sea of green. Looking out the window, tea fields stretched as far as the eye could see, terraced hills and sprawling plots in various shapes and sizes. Upon entering Nanyan Village, the air was filled with a fresh, invigorating tea fragrance. Taking a deep breath, every nerve and cell relaxed. When we arrived at Taishanlou, the annual Nanyan Tieguanyin Tea King Competition was entering its final round. The villagers held their breath, intently watching the courtyard. In the center stood a large tea table, about four to five meters long, on which ten white porcelain lidded jars were lined up horizontally, each corresponding to a numbered sample from 1 to 10. Staff took samples from the jars, weighing them according to standard procedures before placing them into the jars. Facing each jar, three white porcelain tea cups were arranged in a vertical row,…

What is Tieguanyin? Tieguanyin is a semi-fermented tea that belongs to the oolong category, widely popular for its unique aroma and flavor. Originating from Anxi County in Fujian Province, China, it is one of the top ten famous teas in China. The leaves of Tieguanyin are thick and robust, retaining their rich fragrance even after multiple infusions, earning the reputation of having "lingering fragrance after seven infusions." The History and Legends of Tieguanyin There are two main legends about the origin of Tieguanyin. One involves Wang Shishi, who is said to have discovered a special tea plant during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. After cultivating and processing it, he presented it to Emperor Qianlong, who bestowed upon it the name "Tieguanyin." Another legend revolves around Wei Yin, who found and cultivated this exceptional tea plant following a dream in which he was guided by the Bodhisattva Guanyin, naming it after her. The Production Process of Tieguanyin The production process of Tieguanyin is intricate, involving over a dozen steps such as cooling, sun-drying, shaking, stir-frying, rolling, initial roasting, re-roasting, and slow baking over a low flame. Each step must be executed with precision to ensure high-quality tea. During production,…

It's that time of the year again when spring warms the earth and flowers bloom. Below are some basics about growing and processing Anxi Tieguanyin, which I've compiled to share with everyone... What are the main factors contributing to the superior quality of Anxi Tieguanyin? The main factors are the integrated "Heaven, Earth, People, and Variety." "Heaven" refers to the unique natural climate conditions in Anxi that are ideal for the growth and initial processing of Tieguanyin, including temperature, sunlight, precipitation, and relative humidity. "Earth" refers to the unique geographical conditions in Anxi, such as its latitude and longitude, soil conditions, and vegetation. "People" refers to the exquisite and unique traditional tea-making skills of Anxi tea farmers. "Variety" refers to the pure Tieguanyin tea variety propagated through cuttings. What altitude is most suitable for growing Tieguanyin in Anxi? An altitude of 300-1000 meters is most suitable for growing Tieguanyin in Anxi. What type of soil is suitable for the growth of Tieguanyin tea plants? Soils with a pH value between 4.5-6.0, such as red soil, brick-red soil, yellow-red soil, and sandy loam. What is the appropriate row and plant spacing for planting Tieguanyin tea plants? 1. Single-row double-plant: The general…

The production techniques for Anxi Tieguanyin in the tea industry boast three superlatives: the most steps in the process, the highest technical requirements, and the most complex! The tea-making skills have been faithfully passed down for hundreds of years, and only by strictly adhering to traditional methods and perfecting ancestral techniques can one produce the best-tasting Anxi Tieguanyin! Every cup of Tieguanyin embodies the artisan spirit that has been handed down through generations of Anxi people! Tieguanyin Heavy as Iron, Beautiful as Guanyin Anxi Tieguanyin, a renowned top-grade Oolong tea, is produced in Anxi County, Fujian Province, the home of Oolong tea. Its growing area is surrounded by mountains with peaks stretching far into the distance, often shrouded in mist. It is located in a subtropical monsoon climate zone, shielded from winter's dry cold winds by the great mountains to the northwest and influenced by maritime climate conditions from the Taiwan Strait to the southeast. The average annual temperature is 15–18.5°C, with an average frost-free period of 292 days, annual precipitation of 1700–1900 millimeters, relative humidity around 78%, and soil mostly consisting of acidic red loam. These factors combine to create an ideal environment for growing high-quality tea plants. The…

Tieguanyin—does the name sound a bit classical and mysterious to you? It is not just any tea, but also a legacy of history and culture. Tieguanyin belongs to the oolong category and is one of China’s top ten famous teas. It sits between green tea and black tea, being a partially fermented tea that combines the fresh fragrance of green tea with the rich flavor of black tea, making it a distinctive type of tea. The Origin of Tieguanyin The origins of Tieguanyin can be traced back to the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty, around 1725 to 1735. Its birthplace is Xiping Town, Anxi County, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province. According to legend, local tea farmers discovered a tea tree with a unique aroma in Anxi. The leaves of this tea tree, after undergoing special tea-making processes, could emit an unforgettable fragrance. This fragrance was like the willow branch water held by the Bodhisattva Guanyin, fresh and sacred, hence the name “Tieguanyin” was given. Characteristics of Tieguanyin Tieguanyin belongs to the oolong category and is a partially fermented tea. It sits between green tea and black tea, combining the fresh fragrance of green tea with the mellow richness of black…

Tieguanyin, one of China's famous teas, is renowned worldwide for its unique aroma, flavor, and health benefits. However, have you ever wondered why this tea is named "Tieguanyin"? What story and symbolism does it carry? Legend Traced: Guanyin Appears, Bestowing Fine Tea There are several versions about the origin of the name Tieguanyin, but the most widely known is the legend of "Guanyin appearing." It is said that in Xiping Village, Anxi County, Fujian Province, there was a devout tea farmer named Wang Shirang. He had been planting tea for generations and had a deep affection for it. One day, Wang Shirang made a wish before the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva, praying for her blessing to grow better tea. That night, Wang Shirang dreamt that Guanyin Bodhisattva appeared and guided him to a cliffside. After waking up, he followed the guidance from his dream and found a peculiar tea tree by the cliff. The branches and leaves of this tea tree were verdant, the leaves thick and lustrous, shaped like the sitting posture of Guanyin Bodhisattva. Wang Shirang transplanted this tea tree back home and tended to it with great care. A few years later, when the tea tree matured,…