Located in Chiayi County, Taiwan, the Alishan tea region spans Alishan Township, Meishan Township, Zhuqi Township, Zhongpu Township, and Fanlu Township, at elevations ranging from 700 to 1,700 meters. Alongside Lishan and ShanLinXi, it is recognized as one of Taiwan’s three major high mountain tea regions, marketing its tea primarily under the name “Alishan Oolong Tea”.
What are the sub-regions of Alishan? (Click images for details)
Meishan Township, Zhuqi Township, and Alishan Township have the largest production volumes in the Alishan tea region. Meishan Township includes the Ruiren, Beihu, Zhangshuhu, and Taihe tea regions; Zhuqi Township includes the Shizhuo tea region; and Alishan Township includes Xiding, Yantou, Shizilu, Dabang, Lijia, and Tefuye. Below are the main sub-regions of Alishan:
Also known as Shizhuo or Shizhuo (historically written with varying characters), Shizhuo is located in Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County, at an elevation of 1,200 to 1,700 meters. Thanks to its prime geographical location and role as a hub for neighboring tea areas, Shizhuo has become a major center for Alishan tea production and distribution.
Located in Taihe Village, Meishan Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan, Zhangshuhu belongs to the Alishan tea system. Sitting at a very high elevation between 1,300 and 1,600 meters, its fresh tea leaves yield exceptional results, with a distinct orchid fragrance that is a hallmark of Zhangshuhu high mountain tea.
Situated in Meishan Township, Chiayi County, the Ruifeng tea region sits at elevations between 600 and 1,300 meters. High mountain tea from Ruifeng rivals the quality of Taihe (Zhangshuhu) tea while offering great value, making it a high-CP-value region.
Located in Meishan Township, Chiayi County, the Taixing tea region is one of my personal top picks for high-CP-value teas. The main tea cultivars grown here are Qingxin Oolong and JinXuan. Sitting at an elevation of 600 to 900 meters, it is considered a mid-elevation tea region. However, its pristine environment ensures the tea quality is on par with high mountain teas grown above 1,000 meters.
Located in Meishan Township, Chiayi County, the Taiping tea region primarily cultivates Qingxin Oolong and JinXuan, sitting at elevations between 900 and 1,100 meters.
Ruili is located in Meishan Township, Chiayi County, within the Alishan National Scenic Area. Originally farmed for bamboo shoots, betel nuts, Aiyu figs, and plums, the area introduced tea cultivation thirty years ago. The quality was so well-received that Ruili tea has since become a signature local crop.
Alishan tea garden photos
Alishan Tea Region FAQ
What is the highest altitude in the Alishan tea region?
Dinghu, located above Shizhuo, reaches up to 1,700 meters. Additionally, Tefuye and Shizhuo reach up to around 1,600 meters.
Which tea region produces the best quality?
Every tea region has both good and mediocre tea, so no single region can be called the absolute best. As a store owner, I prefer sourcing from areas with larger production volumes. Higher volume means more options, making it easier to find exceptional tea. In terms of production volume, Ruifeng, Taihe, Zhangshuhu, and Shizhuo are among the largest tea-producing areas in Alishan.
Is there tea produced in Fenqihu?
Yes, but the output is very small—I recall there are only one or two tea gardens. Much of the tea sold as Fenqihu tea is actually produced in neighboring regions such as Shizhuo and Zhangshuhu.