4 Major Tea Regions in China

China has nearly 40 million mu of tea plantations, with an annual production of about 2 million tons of tea, divided into four major tea regions and thousands of varieties, giving rise to many different flavors of tea. Jiangnan’s West Lake Longjing Tea, Huangshan Maofeng Tea, Dongding Oolong Tea; South China Tea District of Anxi Tieguanyin Tea, Dongding Oolong Tea; Jiangbei Tea District of Liuhuan Guapian Tea, Xinyang Maojian Tea; Southwest Tea District of Dianhong Gongfu Tea, Puerh Tea …… Only the rich soil of China’s earth can nourish such a variety of colorful, beautiful Tea, just listen to them! Just listening to their names is already a wonderful enjoyment.

Jiangnan Tea Region

Good natural conditions and high Tea Leaves production.

Accounting for 2/3 of the Total National Production of Tea Leaves

Jiangnan Tea Leaves area is located in the south of Yangtze River, north of Dazhang Creek, Yanshi Creek, Meijiang River and Lianjiang River, including north of Guangdong, north of Gui, north of central Fujian, Hunan, Zhejiang, Gan, E, south of Anhui and south of Jiangsu.

The beautiful scenery of Jiangnan is extremely rich in products, where the famous mountains and rivers have given birth to a long and splendid tea culture. Jiangnan Tea District famous tea, the annual output is also the highest, accounting for 2/3 of the total national output. each of the famous tea in Jiangnan Tea District has a history or legend. The teas produced here mainly include Green Tea, Black Tea, Dark Tea, Flower Tea, as well as specialty teas of different qualities.

Mild Climate and Fertile Soil

Jiangnan tea area is mostly in the low hills and mountains, there are also high mountains at an altitude of more than 1,000 meters, such as Tianmu Mountain in Zhejiang, Wuyi Mountain in Fujian, Mount Lushan in Jiangxi, and Huangshan Mountain in Anhui, which are famous for tea production.

Tea gardens are mainly located in hilly areas, with a few in mountainous areas at higher altitudes. The whole tea area basically belongs to the middle subtropical monsoon climate, and the southern part is the southern subtropical monsoon climate. The climate is mild, with four distinct seasons. The average annual temperature is 15～18℃, and the lower temperature in winter is generally around -8℃. Annual precipitation of 1400 ~ 1600 mm, spring and summer rainfall is the most, accounting for about 60% to 80% of the annual precipitation, fall drought. The soil in the tea area is mainly red soil, partly yellow or brown-yellow soil, and a few are alluvial soil. Soil pH is generally 4.5～6.0.

There Are Many Famous Teas

Most of the Tea bushes planted in the Jiangnan Tea Region are of the shrub type medium-leaf and small-leaf species, and a small portion of the small tree type medium-leaf and large-leaf species. This tea area is a suitable area for producing famous and excellent teas in green tea, oolong tea and flower tea. Jiangnan Tea District has a long history of tea production, rich resources, history and modern famous tea is very much, mainly: Huangshan Maofeng Tea, Laozhu Qingfeng Tea, Taipinghua Longding Tea, Songluo Tea, Jiuhua Houkui Tea, Yongxiu Longding Tea, Jingshan Tea, Ruicaookui Tea, Biluochun, Yangzhu Dafangya Tea, West Lake Longjing Tea, Kaihua Longding Tea, Trail Mountain Tea, Guzhu Purple Bamboo Shoots, Hakkeng Maojian Tea, Jiande Pod Tea, Quan Ganghui Bai, Tianmu Qingdingshi, Mogan Huangya Tea, Daxan Tea, Huangshan green tea, and the other famous teas. Peony, Guiqi Cuiwei Tea, Guniujiang Wild Tea, Nanjing Yuhua Tea, Jinshan Cuiye Tea, Nanshan Shoumei Tea, Jintan Bird’s Tongue Tea, Wuxi Mingmei Tea, Maoshan Evergreen Tea, Chimean Yunfeng Tea, Shangrao Baimei Tea, Tianmu Lake White Tea, Dafo Longjing Tea, Qiandao Yuye Tea, Juehnong Shunshuai Tea, Wuyuan Mingmei Tea, Shangrao White Tea, and so on.

Famous Teas Are Often Named After Their Place of Origin

Many famous teas in the Jiangnan Tea District are named after their places of origin, such as West Lake Longjing Tea produced in the West Lake mountainous area of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, Guzhu Zisun Tea produced in the Guzhu Mountain of Changxing County, Huzhou City, Huiming Tea with the area around the Huiming Temple as the main producing area, and Jingshan Tea produced in the Jingshan Mountain of Yuhang County. In Jiangsu Province, there are Dongting Biluochun Tea produced in Dongting Mountain area of Wu County, Huaguoshan Yunwu Tea of Huaguoshan Mountain in Lianyungang City, Yuhua Tea of Nanjing Yuhuatai, and Wuxi Hao Tea of Wuxi City. In addition, there are Jiangxi Lushan Yunwu Tea, Wuyuan Mingzhen Tea of Wuyuan County, as well as Junshan Yinzhen Tea of Junshan Island in Dongting Lake, Hunan Province, Anhua County, Anhua Pine Needles, Changsha Dongxiang Takahashi Ginfeng Tea, and Lake Black Tea, Huangshan Maofeng Tea of Huangshan Mountain in Anhui Province, Keemun Black Tea in Keemun County, and so on.

South China Tea Region

The most suitable area for Tea bush growth.

South China Tea Has a Strong Civilian Flavor

Located in the south of China, including Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Hainan and other provinces (districts), its unique climate conditions are the most suitable region for Tea bush growth in China. The unique geographical environment of South China Tea Region makes the famous tea here, Anxi Tieguanyin Tea, Wuyi Dahongpao Tea, Fujian Dahongpao Tea and Dongding Oolongpao Tea produced in Taiwan are all famous tea products. South China’s tea region produces famous tea to oolong, Black Tea, flower tea and white tea-based, which oolong tea and Black Tea drinking method is unique, resulting in the Chinese Gongfu Tea.

Unlike Jiangnan tea, South China tea has a strong civilian flavor, tea is truly integrated into the lives of ordinary people, the way of tea drinking here and tea drinking habits on the Chinese way of life is huge.

High Temperature and Rainy Soil Fertility

South China Tea Region is located in Fujian Dazhangxi, Yanshi Xi, Guangdong Meijiang, Lianjiang, Guangxi Xunjiang, Hongshui River, Yunnan Nanpanjiang, Wuliangshan, Baoshan, Yingjiang south of the region, including southeastern Fujian, south-central Guangdong, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Hainan Province, southern Yunnan, southern Hunan and other areas. All of these areas have subtropical and tropical climates with high temperatures, rain and fertile soil, making them the most suitable places for Tea Leaves to grow in China.

South China tea area is hot and humid, except for a few areas such as northern Fujian, northern Guangdong and northern Gui, the average annual temperature is as high as 19-22 ℃, the lowest month (January) average temperature of 7-14 ℃, Tea bush annual growing period of more than 10 months, the annual precipitation is the most of China’s tea areas, generally 1,200 to 2,000 millimeters, and some of the rainfall is particularly abundant in the area, the annual precipitation of more than 2,000 millimeters.

The soil in South China tea area is dominated by brick red soil, and in some areas there are also red and yellow soil, with a thick layer of soil and rich in organic matter.

A Collection of Chinese Large-Leafed Tea Bush

South China Tea Region is extremely rich in Tea bush resources, bringing together many of China’s large-leafed species of Tea bush, including trees, small trees, shrubs and other types of Tea bush varieties. Tea Leaves are very demanding for the environment, need to be in a pollution-free, natural and pure natural environment in order to produce excellent quality of large-leaf Tea Leaves, this kind of Tea Bush plant is tall, the main trunk is clear and thick, the branching part is high, the leaves are large, the fruiting rate is low, so Tea Leaves are more difficult to pick.

Specialty Tea Is Famous All over the World

South China Tea Region produces Black Tea, Liubao Tea, Big Leaf Green, Oolong Tea, etc. The production of large-leaf species of black tea, tea soup is rich, is the main species of export black tea. Because of the suitable climatic environment and fertile soil conditions, the tea production area is widely distributed, producing a lot of famous tea, mainly Guiping Xishan Tea, Cangwu Heluo Dancongian Tea, Heshan Gulao Tea, Xinyi Heluo Tea, Bittering Tea, Yingde Black Tea, Yingde Jinhao Tea, Baise Red Broken Tea, Hengxian Flower Tea, Shiting Green Tea, Anxi Tieguanyin, Golden Gui Tea, Baiya Qilan Tea, Yongchun Buddha’s Hands, Shui Xian Cake Tea, Phoenix Tieguanyin Tea, Lingtou Dancong Tea, Tai Po West Rock Tea, Hainan CTC Black Broken Tea, Baisha Green Tea.

Southwest Tea Region

The Birthplace of the World’s Tea Bush.

The Starting Point of Chinese Tea to the World

The Southwest Tea Region is the oldest tea region in China, with the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau as the center of Tea bush origin. Southwest Tea Area is rich in Tea bush resources, there are shrubs and small trees type Tea bush, part of the region also grows tree type Tea bush, some tree type Tea bush even more than a thousand years old. The influence of the Southwest Tea Region is not only huge in China, but also unique in the world, which is the birthplace of Tea bush in the world. The famous teas produced here include Yunnan Pu’er Tea, Yunnan Tuo Tea, Dianhong Gongfu Tea, Sichuan Black Tea, Sichuan Mengding Tea, etc. Thousands of years ago, the Compressing Tea from here was circulated along with the ringing bells of the horse caravans on the Ancient Tea and Horse Trail to all parts of the frontier, and even crossed the borders to reach the neighboring and farther countries, and the Southwest Tea Region is the starting point of China’s Tea Leaves going to the world.

This tea region is located in southwestern China, including Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan provinces and southeastern Tibet. The center of Tea bush origin is located west of Shennongjia, Wuling Mountain, Wushan Mountain and Fangdou Mountain, east of Dadu River, north of Hongshui River, Nanpanjiang River and Yingjiang River, and south of Micang Mountain and Daba Mountain. These areas have plateaus and basins as the main topography, with better water, heat and other conditions, thus forming the oldest tea-producing area in China.

High Soil Organic Matter Content

Southwest Tea District complex topography, some of the same latitude areas of altitude disparity, the climate varies greatly, most of the region belongs to the tropical monsoon climate, winter is not cold, summer is not hot. In general, the water and heat conditions are better. The average annual temperature in the Sichuan Basin is 17℃; the average annual temperature in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau is 14～15℃. The whole tea area is warmer in winter, except for some areas, such as Sichuan Wanyuan winter minimum temperature had to -8 ℃, the general area is only -3 ℃. Annual precipitation is rich, mostly more than 1,000 millimeters, some places such as Sichuan Emei, annual precipitation of 1,700 millimeters. The average annual Drying Index of the tea area is less than 1, and in some areas it is less than 0.75. The tea area has many foggy days, but the winter is still too dry, and the precipitation is less than 10% of the whole year.

Sichuan, Guizhou and southeastern Tibet are dominated by yellow soils with a small amount of brown soils; Yunnan is dominated by reddish soils and mountain reddish soils. Soil organic matter content is generally richer than other tea areas. The pH is generally 5.5 to 6.5.

Ancient Tea Bushes Grow Here

Tea bush resources in the Southwest Tea Area is more, due to better climatic conditions, suitable for the growth of tea trees, so the types of tea trees are also more, there are shrub type and small tree-type tea trees, and in some areas there are tree-type large-leafed species of tea trees. The vast majority of China’s ancient Tea bush grows in this tea area, such as ten thousand acres of ancient tea gardens in Jingmai, Yunnan, and 2700 years old ancient Tea bush in Zhenyuan.

Specialty Teas Are Varied

The favorable growing environment makes the tea produced here varied, mainly producing Black Tea, Green Tea, Pu’er Tea, Border Tea and Flower Tea, and is also one of the main bases for the development of large-leafed red broken tea in China. Mainly: Pu’er Tea, Qizi Cake Tea, Bamboo Scented Tea, Nannuo Baihao Tea, Dian Hong Tea, Jinggu Dai Baihao Tea, Early Spring Green Tea, Jiangcheng Dian Green Tea, Mojiang Yunhao Tea, Divine Brush Yongchun Tea, Green Phoenix, Bird’s Tongue Annunciation Tea, White Hair King, Moonlight White Tea, Lingliao Chun Tea, Golden Hook Red Tea, Lingliao Red Tea, Mengding Ganlu Tea, Mengding Ganlu Tea, Mengding Huangua Tea, Chongqing Mengding Huangya Tea, Mengding Shihua Tea, Mengding Shihua Tea, Bamboo Ganlu Tea, Chongqing Mengding Shihua Tea, Chongqing Mengding Shihua Tea, Chongqing Mengding Huangya Tea, Banan Silver Needle, Banan Silver Needle, Banan Silver Needle, Banan Silver Needle, Banan Silver Needle, Banan Silver Needle, Banan Silver Needle, Banan Silver Needle, Banan Silver Needle, Banan Silver Needle, Banan Silver Needle, Banan Silver Needle, Banan Silver Needle, Banan Silver Needle, Banan Silver Needle, Banan Silver Needle, Banan Black Tea Mao Feng, Banan Silver Needle, Yongchuan Xiuya Tea, Wu Feng Jian Hao, Xuanen Tribute Tea, Beach Tea, Silver Ball Tea, Yunwu Cui Green Tea, Fanjing Cui Feng Tea, Si Zhou Silver Hook Tea, Caihua Maojian Tea, etc..

Jiangbei Tea District

Unique Quality of Tea Leaves.

Unique Geography Makes Good Tea

Jiangbei tea area is the northernmost tea area in China. It is located in the north of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, including Henan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Shandong and other provinces and northern Anhui, northern Jiangsu and northern Hubei, mainly producing green tea. Compared with other tea regions, the climatic conditions here are relatively cold and the seasonal climate change is obvious. Because of this, the ability to successfully plant Tea bushes in such places, and make first-class quality Tea Leaves is even more precious. The successful introduction of tea production in the Jiangbei tea region is a pioneering and milestone in the history of Tea Leaves, and is a strong proof of the popularization of tea culture. Jiangbei tea types relative to other tea areas to be less, but because of the unique climate here, so that the famous tea produced here has other tea areas do not have excellent quality, such as Liuan Guapian Tea and Xinyang Maojian Tea as well as the famous tea rookie Laoshan Tea, Rizhao Tea and so on.

High Temperature Difference, Good Quality of Tea Bush

The Jiangbei tea area extends from the Yangtze River in the south to the Qinling Mountains and Huaihe River in the north, from the Daba Mountains in the west to the Shandong Peninsula in the east, including Gannan, Shaanxi, northern Ezhou, southern Henan, northern Anhui, northern Jiangsu, and southeastern Shandong.

The average annual temperature in the tea area is 15～16℃, and the absolute minimum temperature in winter is generally -10℃. Annual precipitation is low, about 700 to 1,000 millimeters, unevenly distributed, often subjecting Tea bush to drought. There are only a few mountainous areas with good micro-regional climate.

Jiangbei Tea Leaves in many areas of the unfavorable conditions for planting Tea Leaves is both drought and frost in winter, resulting in Tea bush suffered from drought, frost, growth and development is hindered, therefore, Jiangbei Tea Leaves in the development of tea production should pay special attention to take relevant protective measures.

Jiangbei tea area topography is more complex, tea areas are mostly yellow-brown soil, this type of soil is often sticky disk layer; part of the tea area is brown soil; many tea areas with slightly high soil alkalinity. Compared with other tea districts, low temperatures, less cumulative temperature, Tea bush new growth period is short, most areas of the average annual temperature below 15.5 ℃, ≥ 10 ℃ cumulative temperature in 4500 ~ 5200 ℃, the average multi-year extreme low temperature in -10 ℃, individual areas up to -15 ℃, therefore, Tea bush frost damage is serious. Many places in the Jiangbei tea area, because of the temperature difference between day and night, Tea bush quality is good, suitable for green tea, high aroma and flavor.

Tea Bushes Are Highly Resistant to Cold Weather

The vegetation of the northern tea region is green broad-leaved trees, interspersed with coniferous species. Tea bush is mostly shrub type leafy species and leafy species, cold resistance is strong. This kind of Tea bush crown is small, in the natural growth state, the tree height is usually only 1.5 ~ 3 meters, the trunk and branching is not obvious, branching is dense, and branching is more from the rhizome near the ground, Tea bush leaves are small, its root distribution is shallow, lateral roots are developed, which is also China’s most cultivated varieties of Tea bush.

Specialty Tea with Good Quality

Although the Tea Leaves production in Jiangbei Tea Area is not as high as other production areas due to the influence of geography and climate environment, the quality is no less than other tea areas. The main famous teas are: Bashan Bird’s Tongue, Xiangshan Gongcha, Ziyang Selenium-rich Tea, Yuan’an Luyuan Tea, Shen Yutai Tea, Guang’an Pine Needle, Ankang Silver Peak, Bashan Biyang Maojian Tea, Gucheng Yinhao, Dingjun Mingmei Tea, Hanshui Yinshuo, Qimba Maojian Tea, Shannan Quanshan Ming Tea, Wuzi Xianhao Tea, Xi’an BiFeng Tea, Longzhong Baihao Tea, Shennong Qifeng Tea, Syufu Longya Tea, JiuDing Xuemei Tea, Wushan YuHuangjian Tea, LiuAn GuaPiao Tea, Huoshan Huangya Tea, Tianzhu Jianhao Tea, Tongcheng Small Tea, Ziyanghan Maojian Tea, Luoshan Huangya Tea Tea, Dongfang Maojian Tea, Xinyang Maojian Tea, Guangming Maojian Tea, Dongfang Maojian Tea, Xinyang Maojian Tea, Guangming Maojian Tea, Tianzhu Jianhua Tea, Tongcheng Small Tea. Orchid, Cactus Tea, Oriental Maojian Tea, Xinyang Maojian Tea, Guangzhou Snow Buds, Jinzhai Cuilan Tea, Yuexi Cuilan Tea, King Kong Bilu, Xueqing Tea, Yuyuan Chun Tea, Fulaiqing Green Tea, Bibao Green Tea, Liuyuan Green Tea, Haiyang Green Tea and so on.