Spring calls for tea—come, let's savor tea in Shexian!

Tea embodies spring. In April, the breeze carries the fragrance of tea through the misty peaks of Huizhou, soaking Shexian’s mountains and fields, and brushing against every tender new bud. If you love tea or are drawn to tea culture, Shexian awaits you. **Millennial Tea Aroma, Wandering the Ancient Land** **SPRING · Huizhou Tea** Shexian’s tea history is like an ancient book moistened by mountain springs, its pages exuding a delicate tea fragrance. As early as the late Han and Three Kingdoms periods, tea was cultivated here. By the Tang Dynasty, "Fuliang and Shezhou tea were sought after by all nations," a testament to Shexian tea’s global renown. By the Qing Dynasty, *The Annals of Shexian* recorded an annual output of nearly 50,000 *dan* (a unit of weight), showcasing both its abundance and quality, making it one of China’s key tea-producing regions. **SPRING · Huizhou Tea** **Chulan Flower Tea** The birth of Chulan Flower Tea stems from Huizhou merchants’ ingenious fusion of tea and floral aromas. Using premium green teas like Huangshan Maofeng and Huizhou-roasted greens, the tea is scented with Chulan (pearl orchid) blossoms, infusing it with a lingering orchid fragrance. As early as the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, it was a tribute tea, and today, it remains beloved by connoisseurs. **Dafang Tea** **SPRING · Huizhou Tea** If Huangshan Maofepresents Huizhou tea, Dafang Tea is Shexian’s historical emblem. Also known as Laozhu Dafang, it hails from the Laozhu Ridge area in northeastern Shexian. The leaves are flat and uniform, dark green with a hint of yellow, smooth and elegant, adorned with golden tips. When brewed, the liquor is clear and bright, with a high, enduring aroma. The taste is mellow and refreshing, with a sweet aftertaste—balancing the freshness of green tea with a unique sweetness. **Dishui Xiang (Dripping Aroma) Tea** **SPRING · Huizhou Tea** Dishui Xiang captivates with its distinctive fragrance and flavor. Grown in Shuanghekou Village, Dayun, Shexian, it’s famed for its "rich aroma and evolving taste." The leaves curl like spirals, emerald in color. The first sip offers a slight tingle, followed by a sweet, refreshing sensation. The aroma is complex: orchid-like in fresh leaves, shifting to chestnut notes when brewed—a lingering delight. A sip of Dishui Xiang is like drinking in the essence of spring in Jiangnan. **Must-Visit Spots** **Xitou Town** Nestled among misty mountains, Xitou is the heartland of premium green teas like Huangshan Maofeng, Shexian Dishui Xiang, and Huangshan Yingou. Beyond producing exceptional Huizhou tea, it’s steeped in tea culture and history. Stroll through tea fields, breathe in the fragrant air, listen to babbling streams, and savor a cup of Dishui Xiang, immersing yourself in Huizhou’s millennia-old tea legacy and artisanal traditions. **Huangtian Township** This is the main production area for Huangshan White Tea. Tea terraces cascade along the slopes like meticulously carved steps. The stone-walled tea fields of Wugong Ridge bear witness to generations of farmers’ toil and resilience. This vast tea landscape is not just a gem of Huizhou tea culture but a model of agricultural heritage. In 2012, Wugong Ridge’s stone terraces were listed as an Anhui intangible cultural heritage site, and in 2023, they were recognized among China’s seventh batch of significant agricultural heritage systems. **Sanyang Town** Bordering the ancient Huihang Trail, Sanyang Town echoes with the bustle of historic trade routes and nurtures a deep Dafang Tea culture. It’s the birthplace of flat-shaped tea and the core production zone for Dafang Tea. At the foot of Laozhu Ridge’s western slopes lies Lingjiao Village, a picturesque, time-honored tea haven. During harvest season, farmers bustle among emerald-green rows, hand-picking and meticulously crafting tea, filling the air with vitality and charm. The lively tea markets, fragrant with fresh leaves, evoke a longing for this enduring tea culture. Instead of scrolling through spring scenes on social media, come to Shexian—fill your basket with tender buds, let your fingertips absorb the tea’s aroma, and taste spring’s freshness on your tongue. So, this spring, will you join us for tea in Shexian? Shexian · Huangshan