Daxueshan (Big Snow Mountain) Tea Mountain in Fengqing, Lincang
Fengqing Daxueshan (Big Snow Mountain) is a renowned tea mountain located in Fengqing County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province. It is situated in the eastern part of Sanchahu Town, with an elevation of 3,098.7 meters, making it the highest point in Fengqing County. Daxueshan is famous for its rich ancient tea tree resources and unique ecological environment. It is home to one of the world’s largest contiguous ancient tea gardens, with many small-leaf tea trees that are over a century old.
Tea Resources and Historical Background of Fengqing Daxueshan
Fengqing County is known as the “No. 1 Tea-Producing County in Yunnan,” with a long history of tea cultivation. The county is well-suited for tea planting, with approximately 56,000 mu (about 3,733 hectares) of ancient tea tree resources within Daxueshan. Fengqing has a deep historical connection with tea, and the famous “Taihua Tea” is produced here. Additionally, the Fengqing Tea Factory was once a standard-setter for Chinese black tea, and its “Dianhong” (Yunnan Red) tea is a well-known contemporary tea, highly regarded both domestically and internationally.
Ecological Environment and Geographic Features
The area surrounding Fengqing Daxueshan is designated as a national forest nature reserve, covered by vast stretches of pristine forest. The ecological environment is exceptionally clean and beautiful, with few human disturbances. The tea gardens on Daxueshan are located at an altitude of 2,200 to 2,300 meters, enveloped in mountain mists, with ample sunlight. The soil is weakly acidic red soil, which, combined with the high-altitude conditions, contributes to the unique quality of Daxueshan tea.
Characteristics of Fengqing Daxueshan Pu’er Tea
- Appearance: Daxueshan Pu’er tea is characterized by its abundance of downy hairs, thick and soft leaves, and plump, tender buds.
- Rich Composition: The tea is rich in internal substances, with good viscosity. The fresh leaves have a higher content of polyphenols compared to other tea trees, and the polyphenol oxidase activity is strong. These components play a crucial role in the color and taste of the tea soup.
- Flavor and Aroma: Daxueshan Pu’er tea has a smooth and mellow taste with a high and lasting fragrance. In addition to retaining its original aroma, it develops a distinct honey orchid fragrance over time, which is closely related to the region’s ecological environment. The large temperature difference between day and night at high altitudes and the abundant sunlight contribute to the tea’s rich and full-bodied flavor. The tea liquor has a long-lasting aftertaste, is resistant to multiple infusions, and has an intact leaf base.
Fengqing Daxueshan Pu’er tea is not only a unique beverage with distinctive flavors but also a symbol of Yunnan’s rich tea culture. For both tea enthusiasts and cultural researchers, Fengqing Daxueshan is a place worth exploring in depth.
