3200-Year Jinxiu (Xiangzhuqing) Ancient Tea Tree in Fengqing County, Lincang
Chinese Name: 凤庆香竹箐锦绣古茶树
Chinese Pinyin: Fengqing Xiangzhuqing Jinxiu Guchashu
English Name: Xiangzhuqing Ancient Tea Tree in Fengqing County, Lincang
Type: ancient tea tree
Opening Hours: all day
Recommended Visiting Hours: 2-3 hours
Location: Jinxiu Village, Xiao-wan Town, Fengqing County, Lincang City
Xiangzhuqing Ancient Tea Tree in Fengqing County
Deep in the heart of Southern Yunnan there exist tea trees unlike any other on Earth. The jungles of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture and the districts of Simao and Lincang are home to the oldest tea trees in the world. In these regions grow tea trees that range in age from several centuries to over a millennium, and the tea that is made from their leaves is called Pu’er.
The queen of tea trees, a cultivating ancient tea tree growing on the slope of Xiangzhuqing, Jinxiu Village, with the height of 9.30 meters, diameter of 1.84 meters and circumference of 5.84 meters. It has a history of over 3200 years according to the research of Professor Wang Guangzhi. Although it has been through many generations of vicissitudes of life, it is still flourishing and full of vitality. Known as “the largest and oldest artificially cultivated ancient tea tree on the earth”, the folks also called it as the ancestor of tea in Jinxiu Village.
Where is Xiangzhuqing Ancient Tea Tree?
Jinxiu Village of Xiaowan Town boasts the ancient tea trees, with 2000 mu cultivated tea plantation and 3000 mu wild tea trees. It is 50 km east to the Fengqing County. The ancient trees cover the area from Longtang River in the east, Tengmieshan River in the west and Zhafang River in the north. With the altitude of 1750 to 2580 meters, Jinxiu Village offers the favorable environment for tea trees.
What to See
The Xiangzhuqing Ancient Tea Tree is estimated to be more than 3,200 years old , and its age is nearly 1000 years older than Emperor Qinshihuang. Beside the tea tree king, there are still more than 1,400 descendants of her, with wave of green tea and full of vitality. On the holidays, people will come to the toast. In May of 2006, more than 5,000 people from 8 ethnic minorities including the Miao, Yi, Yi and Tibetan ethnic groups from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia gathered in the Lancang River and worshiped the teat tree-the largest ancient tea tree on the earth.
There are more than 14,000 ancient cultivated tea trees around the Xiangzhuqing Ancient Tea Tree. They are concentrated and luxuriant. The root shape is magical and unique. Some are like the red deer horns, the Olympic torch, a couple who live with each other,also the tortoises, they are hovering over the mountains on the banks of the Lancang River, absorbing the nectar of nature. These ancient tea tree resources are the precious living fossils and the powerful testimony to the center of the origin of tea trees and the long history of tea cultivation.
The “ancestor of tea”stands proudly in the magnificent Grand Canyon of the Lancang River. With history of 3000 years, it is still flourishing, pure and noble. Whenever the wind blows, the sun shines on her tens of thousands of leaves. Her existence is a mystery. Just as it appeared, she turned out to be a symbol of the life of the original ecological culture in the core of the world’s tea source. It saved energy of 3,200 years and carry the vitality of life.
Nearby Attraction
Xiaowan Hydropower Station
Xiaowan Hydropower Station is located in the middle and lower reaches of the Lancang River in Fengqing County and Nanrun County of Yunnan Province, 49 km from the county seat. Lancang River and Heihui River rush to the station, forming the fantastic landscape on the bank. It offers the sights of clusters of peaks, deep valley and rare animals in the forest. With a thin double curved arch concrete dam and a maximum height of 292m, Xiaowan is the important place of Lancang River.
Useful Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
It is an ideal choice for the travelers who have a crush on tea culture to visit the ancestor of tea tree. Travelers can visit in March to May to appreciate the charming landscape and rare ancient tea trees, also get rid of the rainy season.
Accommodation
Travelers can stay in Jinxiu Village and learn more local tea culture. If you want a high-quality accommodation, you can go to the Fengqing County and Lincang City.
