By the Lancang River, a 3,200-year-old ancient tea tree stands as a living witness to the legend of Dianhong. Born amid the flames of China's War of Resistance, this "Oriental leaf" carries 30% polyphenols that forge its signature boldness, robustness, and refreshing vitality. The honeyed sweetness of Fengqing large-leaf varietal still lingers in the ceremonial teacups once gifted to Britain's Queen. From Feng Shaoqiu's pioneering tea-making techniques to the enduring woody aroma of sun-dried ancient tree black tea—unchanged even after ten infusions—every leaf crystallizes the tropical monsoon-carved sweetness and the mellow richness honed by time itself.
the birthplace of Dianhong black tea. With a tea-cultivating legacy spanning millennia, the region is home to the 3,200-year-old cultivated ancient tea tree, the Jinxiu Tea King, in Xiangzhuqing. Boasting expansive tea plantations covering 300,000 mu (approximately 20,000 hectares), Fengqing’s Dianhong tea has graced diplomatic stages as a national gift to foreign dignitaries, including the Queen of the United Kingdom and Sri Lankan presidents and prime ministers—a testament to its global prestige.
Situated in southwestern Yunnan, Fengqing County lies within a subtropical monsoon climate zone, traversed by the Lancang River (upper Mekong). The area enjoys an annual average temperature of 16.5°C (61.7°F) and 1,300 mm of rainfall. Its mineral-rich red and yellow soils, abundant in organic matter, combined with the widespread cultivation of the nationally recognized Fengqing Large-Leaf Tea Varietal, create ideal conditions for producing exceptional tea. The leaves here contain over 30% tea polyphenols, forming the foundation for Dianhong’s signature intensity, robustness, and vibrant freshness.
🌐 UNESCO-Listed Tea Sanctuary
Nestled in Southwest Yunnan's parallel river valleys between the Mekong (Lancang) and Salween (Nu) Rivers, our tea gardens thrive across Fengqing, Menghai, Lincang, and Shuangjiang counties - the golden quadrant of Dianhong production.
🏔️ Mountain Terroir Advantages
• Elevation Spectrum: 1,000-2,200m ASL creating natural phased harvesting (Higher plots → complex aroma; Lower plots → robust body)
• Microclimate Magic: Diurnal Δ15℃ slows leaf maturation → 38% higher amino acids vs flatland teas
• Cloud-Kissed Canopy: 200+ foggy days annually diffuse sunlight → develops velvety trichomes (white hairs)
🌱 Self-Sustaining Ecosystem
Centuries-old ecological harmony:
✓ 70% forest coverage shelters tea trees from extremes
✓ 20cm humus layer (decayed foliage) = natural fertilizer
✓ pH 4.5-5.5 laterite soil → enhances catechin synthesis
🧪 Biochemical Superiority
Proven by Yunnan Agricultural Lab Reports:
- Polyphenols: 38.7% (National avg: 25-30%)
- Theaflavins: 1.82% (Standard black tea: 0.5-1.2%)
- Caffeine: 4.9% (Balances briskness without bitterness)
📜 Geographic Indicator Protection
Authentic "Fengqing Dianhong" requires:
① ≥95% fresh leaves from local large-leaf varietal (C. sinensis var. assamica)
② Traditional sun-withering process under 2,300m altitude