The Shitouhu tea area is located just below Sancengping and Fanzitian. Think of it as a slightly lower-elevation Sancengping. While the altitude is lower, it still sits between 1,050 and 1,300 meters, making it a region whose quality shouldn’t be underestimated.
The rugged roads of the Shitouhu tea area
The store manager’s strongest impression of Shitouhu is how difficult the roads are to drive. They are not only narrow, but also prone to falling rocks and overflowing mountain springs. Whether coming from Ruanruan or Fanzitian, you have to take the entire drive very slowly. Although it’s only a short 30 km on the map, it takes about 90 minutes to drive there from downtown Zhushan Township.
With roads this challenging, the fact that tea farmers are still willing to cultivate tea here tells you just how good the tea really is. The terrain is relatively flat and open, flanked by bamboo and primeval forests, creating an ideal growing environment. It is also more affordable than Fanzitian, and during favorable weather, it yields exceptional tea that rivals Fanzitian.
High-value Shitouhu tea
Within the ShanLinXi tea family, Shitouhu’s quality may not be at the absolute top, but it comfortably sits above the middle tier. With a bit of luck, top-tier teas can also be found here.
The Shitouhu tea area features four main tea plantations at elevations between 1,050 and 1,300 meters. The primary cultivar is Qingxin Oolong. Spring tea is harvested in April, and winter tea in October and November. Depending on the condition of the tea trees and customer demand, Ershui, summer, and autumn teas are also harvested. The offerings include Oolong and a small amount of black tea.
Directions: Take County Highway 49 to County Highway 54 (Da’an Forestry Branch Road), about an 80-minute drive from downtown Zhushan. Alternatively, take Route 149 toward Shibi, then transfer to the Da’an Forestry Branch Road coming from the Fanzitian direction. From the Zhushan Interchange, the drive takes nearly 2 hours, though road conditions are somewhat better.
▼ Directly adjacent to Sancengping and Fanzitian tea areas.
Store Manager’s Review: An overachiever in the ShanLinXi tea family. It is considerably more affordable than LongFengXia and Fanzitian, yet under the right conditions, it can yield top-tier tea. Its Ershui and autumn teas also perform remarkably well.
Shitouhu Tea FAQ
Is Shitouhu a lake?
Like Fenqihu, Shitouhu is not actually a lake.
Why isn't Shitouhu tea well-known?
The location is remote and the roads are so difficult to navigate that even tea merchants rarely visit. Even when purchased, it is typically sold under the ShanLinXi name. Shitouhu tea simply lacks strong market recognition.
Origin of the Name Shitouhu
It is named after Mount Shitou directly above it. As for why “hu” (lake) is part of the name, even the store manager is unsure.