Since the first giant panda was found in Ya'an, located 75 miles from Chengdu in China's Sichuan province, the city has been under the spotlight. Yet not many people know Ya'an is also the place where tea is richly cultivated for over 2,000 years.

 

A tea plantation in Ya'an, Sichuan province. 

 

Its unique location - a tributary of the Minhe River and the fringe of the Sichuan Basin, Ya'an is known for its quality teas. As such, Ya'an Mengding mountain tea and Ya'an Tibetan tea are some of the world's famous.

 

Recently, with more promotion of ecological agriculture and local government's focus on the tea industry, more profitable tea gardens have been developed in Ya'an. Today, the city boasts some of the most beautiful tea gardens that span 247 million acres.

 

In 2021, the brand estimated value of Mengding Mountain Tea reached 4.1 billion yuan, and the brand value of Ya'an Tibetan Tea more than 2 billion yuan. The total output of Ya'an tea reached 110,000 tons, and the comprehensive output value exceeded 20 billion yuan ($3.13 billion).

 

A tea plantation in Ya'an, Sichuan province.

 

In 2022, the first spring harvested Mengding Mountain tea was listed as high as more than 130 yuan per pound, with a price increase of more than 20 percent compared with the same period last year.

 

The tea gardens and culture in Ya'an has also attracted many tourists. Jiefang Village of Ya'an, with 13 homestays and tea houses, welcomes more than 1 million tourists each year.

 

 

Edited by Lei Lei

Image source: China Daily

Source: China Daily