Reader’s Question: I’ve heard that Nantou is Taiwan’s main high mountain tea region, and ShanLinXi tea, in particular, is highly rated and considered one of Taiwan’s top three high mountain tea regions. Is ShanLinXi actually the highest tea-producing region in Nantou?
ShanLinXi's highest tea garden sits at about 1,950 meters, but it is not the highest in Nantou
Liao Chang Xing: ShanLinXi is indeed one of Taiwan’s top three high mountain tea regions, with its highest gardens sitting at around 1,950 meters (pictured above: ShanLinXi’s highest tea garden), but it isn’t the highest tea region within Nantou. That title belongs to the Dayuling tea region near Lishan. Dayuling is also home to the highest high mountain Oolong tea in the world.
Many people group Dayuling tea under the Lishan tea family. While the Dayuling region is very close to Lishan, once you pass the 86km mark of the Central Cross-Island Highway, you enter Nantou County. Located in Ren’ai Township, Nantou County, Dayuling reaches elevations of up to roughly 2,600 meters. Pictured below is Dayuling’s highest tea garden at 2,650 meters.
Aside from Dayuling, the Biluxi tea region is also located in Nantou at an elevation of about 2,200 meters. The Cuifeng tea region is likewise in Nantou, reaching maximum heights of around 2,100 meters. Both are exceptionally well-known tea regions in Taiwan.
2022 Update: With the reduction of the Dayuling tea region, its highest elevation is now around 2,400 meters. Currently, the highest altitude tea region is the HuaGung tea region in Nantou County (pictured below), reaching up to 2,520 meters.
Actually, beyond the altitude, every mountain region has its own unique terroir and distinct tea flavor profile. Tea lovers are encouraged to explore and don’t necessarily have to limit themselves to high-elevation teas.