Wan Gong was a famous village along the ancient Tea Horse Road and one of the two most illustrious villages in Yi Wu tea mountain during its heyday. During the reign of Emperor Qianlong, Yi Wu tea mountain and Man Sa tea mountain, both under the governance of Yi Wu's local ruler, entered their most prosperous periods. At that time, Wan Gong was at the heart of the ancient six major tea mountains and also the site of imperial tribute tea gardens. Since the Qing Dynasty's Xianfeng period, Wan Gong has been known as Thousand Family Village, with over 400 households and a large population, making it the most prosperous village in Yi Wu tea mountain. Later, due to the prevalence of malaria and other reasons, Wan Gong village gradually declined and faded from the sight of tea enthusiasts. The ancient tea gardens of Wan Gong have been severely damaged; there are no longer contiguous groves of ancient trees but rather scattered tea trees within the virgin Forest.
Wan Gong holds a significant place among the ancient Tree teas of Yi Wu, being an area where ancient tea trees are well-preserved. These ancient tea trees grow at altitudes above 1,800 meters, in an environment characterized by perpetual spring-like weather, abundant rainfall, remote wilderness, and sparse human habitation. Growing freely in the primeval forest ensures the utmost preservation of their pristine quality. The ancient tea trees of Wan Gong are of great age, with robust and coarsely twisted leaves, moderately tight structure, long leaves, plump and downy buds, and a thick and tender leaf base. The tea soup is golden and bright, with a rich fragrance complemented by a wild scent, a sweetness like Honey, a delicate and full mouthfeel, a mellow taste, and a soft yet firm tea energy. The flavor lingers long, with distinct layers of aroma, a slight bitterness that instantly transforms, strong salivation, and a long-lasting throat resonance that exhibits strong continuity and stability, appearing lustrous and oily. The ancient tree tea of Wan Gong stands out for its unique quality and special aroma, carrying a unique primitive forest essence and an irreplaceable degree of richness, making it a supreme quality tea among those from Yi Wu.
(By Cha Wei)