Located in Nanfeng Village and Datong Village, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County, the DongYanShan tea area is technically called “South DongYanShan” (since the original DongYanShan is in northern Taiwan). However, by common usage, people still prefer to call it the DongYanShan tea area. Close to Wushe and Cingjing, much like the Datongshan tea area, it is off the usual tourist routes, so the tea region lacks mainstream fame. Yet, the tea quality here is exceptional, and the prices are much more accessible than Cingjing, making it a favorite hidden gem among tea insiders. The highest elevation of the DongYanShan tea area reaches 1,600 meters.
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DongYanShan Tea Area Elevation: 1,200 to 1,600 Meters
At 1,600 meters, it certainly can’t compare to Lishan’s 1,800 or 2,000 meters, but it is already a very respectable high mountain tea region. Most tea plantations are concentrated between 1,450 and 1,600 meters. The store manager considers the overall environment of this zone to be “excellent” with top-notch tea garden management. There are four main tea factories locally; the manager considers one to be of “Class A” standard, and another of “Class A+” level. Both factories are rigorous in fertilization, irrigation, and pruning, putting them on par with the front-runners in Lishan and Cuifeng.
Therefore, even though its elevation doesn’t match Lishan or Cuifeng, as long as harvesting conditions are favorable, it has a strong potential to produce fine tea that rivals Lishan. Furthermore, its wholesale price is less than two-thirds of Lishan’s, making it an exceptionally high-CP-value tea region. In the photo below, the manager is standing at an elevation of about 1,500 meters, and the tea bushes are thriving!
DongYanShan Tea Varieties and Harvest Seasons
Most of the tea variety is Qingxin Oolong, with small amounts of JinXuan and Tieguanyin. It primarily produces lightly fermented Oolong tea, along with a small batch of black tea. Spring tea is harvested in April and May, autumn tea in August, and winter tea in October and November.
Manager’s Review: Within the Hehuanshan tea family, DongYanShan is not particularly high in elevation, but its tea garden management is outstanding, easily comparable to the Cuifeng tea region. The tea also offers an impressive CP value. High-quality DongYanShan high mountain tea is easily on par with Lishan and Cuifeng, which is why many tea merchants sell it under the name of Cingjing or even Lishan tea. The store manager makes it a point to visit every year in search of good tea.
| Lishan / Cingjing Tea Region | |||
DongYanShan Tea Plantation
DongYanShan Tea Region FAQ
Where is DongYanShan and how do I get there?
Located in Nanfeng Village, Ren’ai Township, Nantou County, the tea region is about a 15-minute drive from the industrial road beside Renzhiguan. The industrial road is narrow and in poor condition, so high-clearance vehicles are recommended. Watch out for falling rocks on rainy days and exercise caution. Google Maps Navigation
What is the quality of DongYanShan high mountain tea? Is it good?
Like anywhere, there are varying qualities. The average ones are just okay, but the exceptional ones even surpass 95% of Lishan and Dayuling teas.
Why have I never seen anyone selling DongYanShan tea?
Tea merchants usually sell it as Cingjing or Lishan tea. DongYanShan simply has very low brand awareness!
Do you sell DongYanShan tea leaves?
We purchase it whenever the harvesting conditions are right and we source a great batch of tea. Check the link below; if it’s not listed, it means we didn’t buy any or it’s currently sold out!