High above Yangshuo at 600 meters lies the Seven Stars Green Tea Plantation. Its name in Chinese is Qi Xian Feng. This isn’t just any tea plantation. It’s a place shrouded in mist and legend.
For centuries tea has been cultivated here. The soil is rich. The air is clean. It’s said the predecessor of the Guilin Tea Science and Research Institute which is nearby supplied tea to the Ming Dynasty imperial court. Imagine the emperors sipping tea grown on these very slopes.
The Seven Stars plantation isn’t huge but it boasts 250 species of tea plants. During harvest 150 workers toil to pick the tender leaves. They produce around 42 tons of organically grown tea yearly. Each cup you may taste here embodies a legacy of careful cultivation.
The plantation’s beauty is breathtaking. The rolling hills covered in tea plants. The views across the landscape are spectacular. Especially during rain. When mist hangs heavy. The whole area looks like a charming beauty in white.
The tea ceremony here is a must. A young lady will guide you through the ritual. This isn’t just about the taste. It’s about the experience. The atmosphere. The history woven into every leaf. You will taste green tea. It may not be your favourite tea. But you will appreciate its unique taste and subtle notes of chestnuts and fresh corn. This is Cuiyu Green Tea. It won a special prize at a tea tasting competition in Guangxi.
The Seven Stars Green Tea Plantation is more than a place to buy tea. It’s a place to experience a part of Chinese history and culture. A place where the past meets the present in every fragrant cup. A place that will stay with you long after you leave. So take a moment and savor this moment. You won’t regret it.