3200-Year Jinxiu (Xiangzhuqing) Ancient Tea Ancestor Tree in Fengqing County, Lincang

Located in Xiangzhuqing (香竹菁), more than 70 kilometers from Fengqing County (凤庆县) in Lincang (临沧), stands the legendary Jinxiu Tea Ancestor Tree (锦绣茶祖). This ancient tea tree is estimated to be over 3200 years old, making it the oldest cultivated tea tree in the world. It is often referred to as the "Mother of the Tea Kings" due to its monumental size and historical significance.

Physical Features

• Height: 10.6 meters

• Trunk Diameter: 1.84 meters (8 people can barely surround it)

• Root Circumference: 5.84 meters

• Location: The tree stands at an altitude of 2245 meters in Xiangzhuqing, a natural village in Jinxiu Village (锦秀村), Xiaowan Town (小湾镇), Fengqing County (凤庆县).

Record-Breaking Size

The Jinxiu Tea Ancestor Tree is the largest known ancient cultivated tea tree discovered so far. It has a canopy spanning 11.1 x 11.3 meters, and its trunk is significantly thicker than any other known tea tree, making it a record holder for its age and size.

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.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Historical Recognition

The Jinxiu Tea Ancestor Tree is more than just a tree; it is a living cultural relic. In 2015, it was recognized as China’s largest ancient tea tree by Shanghai Guinness World Records, concluding the debate about the "World’s Tea King."

• Mentioned in Historical Records: The tree was cited in the Ming Dynasty (明代) travelogue of Xu Xiake (徐霞客), a famous Chinese explorer. This historical documentation highlights the long-standing importance of tea in the region.

Tea Legacy

The Jinxiu Tea Ancestor Tree is a symbol of the ancient tea culture in Fengqing County (凤庆县), an area famously known as the birthplace of Yunnan’s (云南) tea. It stands as a living testament to the region’s rich tea history and cultural heritage.

Tea Quality and Characteristics

Unique Tea Attributes

• Tea Flavor: The tea brewed from the Jinxiu tree is known for its exceptional sweetness and rich floral honey aroma. The tea has a smooth texture, and it can be steeped 8-10 times without losing flavor.

• Leaf Size: The leaves from this tree are about 1/3 larger than those of typical tea trees, making them a prized ingredient for high-quality tea.

• Polyphenol Content: The tea leaves from the Jinxiu Tea Ancestor Tree are particularly high in polyphenols, around 20% more than standard tea leaves. This contributes to its strong flavor and makes it especially suited for black tea production.

Rarity and Auction Value

Due to its age, rarity, and quality, the tea produced from the Jinxiu tree is extremely limited. In October 2021, 10 kilograms of fresh leaves from the Jinxiu Tea Ancestor Tree were auctioned for a remarkable 10.68 million RMB. This auction set a new record for the price of tea leaves, highlighting the tree’s rare and highly sought-after status.

Protection and Preservation

Conservation Efforts

In recognition of the Jinxiu Tea Ancestor Tree’s historical importance, the local government has put measures in place to protect the tree and its environment. Some of the key protection efforts include:

• Special Protection Plan: A dedicated plan to protect this ancient tree from commercial exploitation.

• Strict Harvesting Rules: Harvesting is highly restricted, and only a small portion of the leaves are collected each year.

• Pesticide Regulation: The use of pesticides around the tree is strictly regulated to preserve the natural environment.

Legal Measures for Preservation

To ensure the protection of this valuable cultural heritage, the Fengqing County People's Congress (凤庆县人民政府) passed a regulation making it illegal to engage in commercial activities around the tree without government approval. This includes:

• Fines for Unauthorized Harvesting or Disturbance: Anyone caught harvesting the tree or disturbing its environment without authorization can face fines up to 50,000 RMB.

• Legal Protections for the Environment: Any damage to the tree’s environment, such as building near the tree or using pesticides, is punishable by law.

The Cultural Role of the Jinxiu Tea Ancestor Tree

Annual Ceremonies and Cultural Significance

Every year, local ethnic groups, including the Yi (彝族), Miao (苗族), and other minority groups, gather to celebrate the Jinxiu Tea Ancestor Tree. These celebrations often include traditional ceremonies and rituals in honor of the tea tree’s spiritual and cultural importance. The tree is considered a "living ancestor" and is revered as a symbol of good health and prosperity.

• Local Beliefs: Many local villagers believe that the tree has healing properties. They maintain that a single tea leaf from the Jinxiu Tea Ancestor Tree can cure various ailments. Because of this belief, the tree is treated with great reverence, and its leaves are not harvested casually.

Auction and Market Value

Record-Breaking Tea Auction

In May 2007, a 499-gram tea cake made from the leaves of the Jinxiu Tea Ancestor Tree was sold at the Pu'er Tea Expo (普洱茶博会) in Shenzhen (深圳) for an astonishing 400,000 RMB. The tea was sold at a price of 800 RMB per gram, which was nearly four times the price of gold at the time. This auction set a new record for tea leaf prices and showcased the incredible value of tea produced from this ancient tree.

Growing Tourism and Local Economy

As the fame of the Jinxiu Tea Ancestor Tree grows, Xiangzhuqing (香竹菁) has become a key tourist attraction in Fengqing County (凤庆县). The tree and its surrounding area have helped boost local tourism, with visitors coming from across China and the world to witness this remarkable living relic.

The Jinxiu Tea Ancestor Tree’s Enduring Legacy

The Jinxiu Tea Ancestor Tree in Fengqing County (凤庆县) is not only the oldest cultivated tea tree in the world but also a living piece of Yunnan’s (云南) rich tea culture. With its remarkable age, size, and the high quality of its tea, the tree has become a symbol of the enduring cultural significance of tea in the region. Efforts to protect and preserve this unique treasure ensure that future generations will continue to experience its cultural and medicinal benefits.

Jinxiu Tea Ancestor Tree is a true living cultural heritage, combining the wisdom of ancient traditions with modern conservation efforts to maintain its vital role in Yunnan's (云南) tea culture.

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.