An update for everyone! The 2023 winter tea from Tunyuan, Lushan Tribe, and Qilai Mountain is looking remarkably good. Some plots are “darn near exceptional.” Now it’s all about waiting patiently—with the right weather, we’re confident some truly stellar teas will emerge! 👍👍
A quick heads-up: due to the heavy rains in August, road conditions are quite rough. Traffic from Lushan Tribe toward Jingguan Tribe is strictly regulated with scheduled openings. The open windows are 7:30 AM to 8:10 AM; 10:00 AM to 10:10 AM; 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM; 3:00 PM to 3:10 PM; and 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. If you’re planning a sourcing trip, be sure to time your coming and going accordingly.
As for the road from Lushan Tribe to the Tunyuan trailhead, there are no traffic controls, but the conditions are even worse. Mudslides and falling rocks were already a major issue, and recent afternoon thunderstorms have made passing even more treacherous. We strongly advise against taking this route unless absolutely necessary—it’ll have your heart racing the whole way.
Regarding tea growth, overall we’d say the average is “pretty good.” Even the average plots are holding up fine, let alone the top-tier ones. If fellow industry folks are having trouble finding great stock up in Lishan, it’s worth taking a trip out to Qilai—the fresh leaf quality won’t let you down. Just remember to watch the clock: you need to pass through the checkpoint by 6:00 PM at the latest, or the road closes for the night and you’ll be bunking at the tea factory. 🤣🤣
To everyone waiting for winter tea, please be patient—you can’t rush good tea. Just a quick update: Qilai left a few tea plots unharvested during the autumn, and thanks to the farmers’ careful pruning and tending, the winter tea looks absolutely stunning! With leaves this thick and pectin-rich, it’s bound to be exceptional. Stay tuned, everyone!