HuaGung Area 4 is a secondary tea-producing area within the HuaGung tea region. Thanks to its fine quality and promotion by fellow tea merchants, it has become one of the most popular micro-regions in Lishan. While many vendors on the market sell HuaGung Area 4 tea, the actual yield is quite small, so consumers should be mindful when purchasing.
HuaGung Area 4 Elevation
The tea-producing area is located in the Maliguan settlement, Cuihua Village, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County. The tea gardens roughly stretch from the Area 4 Store to Ciluancun Temple and Cuiluan Church, sitting at altitudes between 1,800 and 2,100 meters. Although its market visibility is very high, there are actually only 5 or 6 tea gardens, so production is not high. Its aspect and orientation are similar to Cuiluan and HuaGung; you can think of HuaGung Area 4 as slightly lower-altitude HuaGung tea or higher-altitude Cuiluan tea.
Shop Manager's Review of HuaGung Area 4 Tea
As mentioned above, just think of HuaGung Area 4 as slightly lower-altitude HuaGung tea. While the highest parts of HuaGung sit at greater elevations, they are also more prone to crop failure and poor growth due to low temperatures. At around 2,000 meters, HuaGung Area 4 offers relatively stable quality. Additionally, its yield is slightly higher than the highest parts of HuaGung (though still very limited), making it easier to find a good batch of tea.
The tea tree variety is Qingxin Oolong. Harvest seasons are spring tea in April and May, autumn tea in July and August, and winter tea in October. Most are processed as light-fragrance High Mountain Oolong tea. Summer tea, black tea, and Winter Sprout Oolong are less common.
Directions: From Lishan, take Taiwan Industrial Road 89 (Provincial Highway 89), and turn left at the upper fork to reach the Area 4 Store and Cuiluan Church. This road is very steep, so low-clearance vehicles are not recommended. Alternatively, you can turn right at the upper fork, pass through HuaGung Area 5, and then head toward Cuiluan Church to arrive—the route is much easier to drive. If you plan to visit, you can navigate to the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan Cuiluan Church below.
