Overview of Yigong Tea Plantation
Located within the breathtaking expanse of the Yigong National Geological Park in Bomi County, Nyingchi, Tibet, Yigong Tea Plantation stands between 1900 to 2300 meters above sea level, making it the highest tea plantation in the world. The area enjoys an average annual temperature of 11.4°C and receives between 960mm to 1100mm of rainfall.
Historical Background
The tea plantation was established in 1960, undergoing several administrative changes over the years. By 1998, it transformed into the Tibet Sun Agricultural Resources Development Co., Ltd., marking Tibet’s first state-owned agricultural reform enterprise. In 2008, efforts were renewed to restore tea production, and by 2010, Guangdong Province adopted the tea plantation as a supportive partner through Foshan City. By 2013, the Guangdong Provincial State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission began directly supporting the plantation.
The Plantation’s Expanse
Spanning 96 square kilometers, with 24,000 acres of land including 6445 acres of arable land and 2200 acres of tea gardens producing 30,000 jin (15 tons) of fine tea and 50,000 jin (25 tons) of brick tea annually, the plantation is a significant agricultural operation. It also includes 740 acres of orchards and over 40,000 acres of pasture and developable agricultural land.
Unique Tea Varieties
Yigong Tea Plantation is known for its diverse tea products, including Tibetan Red Tea, Black Tea Cakes, Snow Land Silver Peak, Snow Land Tea Ji, Yigong Cloud Mist, and Linzhi Spring Green.
- Tibetan Red Tea is known for its tight and straight tea strands, revealing golden fuzz with a fragrant fruity aroma, bright red soup color, refreshing taste, and coppery leaf base.
- Black Tea Cakes are highly valued for their intricate production process, involving 32 traditional brewing techniques, making them an ideal gift.
- Snow Land Tea Ji and Snow Land Silver Peak are harvested in April and May, involving a meticulous 8-step process that results in high-quality tea known for its aroma and taste.
- Yigong Cloud Mist Tea features tightly curled leaves with a green and glossy appearance, rich aroma, refreshing taste, and a clear green soup color.
- Linzhi Spring Green Tea offers a rich aroma, bright soup color, and a refreshing aftertaste, making it a premium selection.
Visiting Yigong Tea Plantation
- Access: The plantation is accessible via National Highway 318 and Provincial Road 305, located 168 kilometers from Linzhi’s Bayi Town and 105 kilometers from Bomi County town. The area’s infrastructure is currently being upgraded.
- Historical Site: “General’s Tower,” built as a temporary lodging by Commander Zhang Guohua during his military expedition to Tibet, is over 50 years old and has been designated as a county-level cultural heritage site.
- Memorial: The “Ten Brave Soldiers Monument,” originally at the eastern end of Yigong Tongmai Bridge, was destroyed by a flood in 2000. A new monument was erected in 2003 to honor these heroes.
Yigong Tea Plantation not only stands as a testament to the agricultural achievements of Tibet but also as a destination for those interested in the cultivation of high-altitude tea and the unique cultural heritage of the region.
