Every year, spring comes from the southeast, and the Jianxi River warms up first with a slight opening of the ice.

The rare Tea by the river is the best in the world, cultivated by immortals of Wuyi since ancient times.

Longxu Tea of Bajiaoting

Longxu Tea of Bajiaoting, also known as “bound tea,” belongs to the Oolong Tea category and is mostly planted in fertile gardens. The tea trees grow vigorously, producing long and robust shoots that are excellent raw materials for making tea.

Tasting the Tea

The distinctive features of Bajiaoting Longxu Tea are its sturdy, straight appearance resembling “dragon whiskers,” its dark green color, its Oolong tea aroma accompanied by floral fragrance, its rich and smooth taste, its orange-yellow, clear, and bright infusion, and its durability when steeped.

The production of Bajiaoting Longxu Tea involves withering, fixing, rolling, shaping, and binding, and it has the effects of lowering blood lipids and anti-aging.

Bajiaoting Longxu Tea is renowned worldwide for its excellent quality, elegant appearance, and unique flavor. Historically, it was mainly sold in countries like Singapore in Southeast Asia, making it an ideal gift for relatives and friends.

Tracing the Tea

There are written records of Longxu Tea dating back to the early Qing Dynasty. In 1717 during the reign of Emperor Kangxi, Lu Tingcan, the magistrate of Chong'an County, recorded in “Continuation of the Classic of Tea” that “The tea on the mountains of Wuyi is called rock tea, while the tea by the water is called riverbank tea. Among the riverbank teas, there are names such as lotus seed hearts, white tips, purple tips, dragon whiskers, phoenix tails… and so forth.” He further described the method of picking and processing: “The unopened buds that have just emerged are called lotus seed hearts. Those picked with two inches of stem attached and then baked are called phoenix tails and dragon whiskers.”

According to these records, not only did the name “Longxu Tea” exist in the early Qing Dynasty, but there were also descriptions of the method of picking and processing. Therefore, it can be deduced that Longxu Tea was produced no later than the late Ming or early Qing Dynasty, which means it has a history of over three hundred years.

In Wuyi Mountain, a World Heritage site, there is a place called “Bajiaoting,” separated by just a stream from the Chongyangxi River. It has vast and fertile riverbank land that used to be covered with beautiful tea gardens. Historically, the villagers of Bajiaoting utilized this extensive riverbank to cultivate riverbank tea. They refined this tea into a shape resembling dragon whiskers, and because it was produced in Bajiaoting, it became commonly known as “Bajiaoting Longxu Tea.”

Exploring the Tea Region

Jian'ou City, Fujian Province, is the main production area of Bajiaoting Longxu Tea. With its three rivers and six shores, green mountains and clear waters, Jian'ou opens the door to its glorious chapter in tea history.

Fujian Jian'ou

Fujian Jian'ou was formerly known as “Jianzhou,” and the character “Jian” in Fujian originates from here. As an important base for Oolong tea cultivation and production in Fujian Province, Jian'ou has a long history of Tea culture. As an important supplier of imperial tribute tea, it started in the Tang Dynasty, flourished in the Song Dynasty, and served 42 emperors through six dynasties for more than 450 years without interruption.

Over many years of development, Jian'ou has engaged with the world through the magical “Eastern leaves,” narrating numerous captivating tea stories. Today, Jian'ou continues its glory, becoming an ancient city of tea for a thousand years and a primary production base for Chinese Oolong tea. Its tea garden area, tea production, and number of people engaged in the industry rank among the top in northern Fujian and even throughout the province.

Xiaoqiao Town is a major center for tea cultivation and sales in Jian'ou City and is also the location of “Xibei,” one of the thirty-two imperial tea-making sites of Beiyuan Tribute Tea. This fragrant little town has fully explored the historical and cultural connotations and natural landscape elements of the Ganyuan Ecological Tea Garden, creating scenic spots such as “Viewing Platform,” “Cloud Tea Pavilion,” “Rain Shelter Corridor,” and “Washing Pool.” These attractions allow visitors to gain a deeper understanding of Jian'ou's tea culture while sightseeing. The faint scent of tea, the lush greenery, and the broad vistas provide a chance for those living in bustling cities to pause and enjoy warm, tranquil moments.

Here, the tea mountains stretch endlessly, and the vibrant greenery and vast mist purify the soul on this blessed land of Jian'ou.

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Further Reading:

Wuyi Mountain's Bajiaoting Longxu Tea

Longxu Tea of Bajiaoting is part of the Oolong tea family. Produced in Wuyi Mountain City, Fujian Province, it is made by bundling tea strips of varying lengths with red silk thread, either singly or in pairs. Its appearance is sturdy and straight, resembling “dragon whiskers,” with a dark green color, rich and smooth taste, orange-yellow infusion, and durability when steeped.

In 1717 (the 56th year of Emperor Kangxi's reign), Lu Tingcan, the magistrate of Chong'an County (today's Wuyi Mountain City), recorded in “Continuation of the Classic of Tea” about the origin and varieties of Wuyi tea: “The tea on the mountains of Wuyi is called rock tea, while the tea by the water is called riverbank tea… Among the riverbank teas, there are names such as lotus seed hearts, white tips, purple tips, dragon whiskers, phoenix tails… and so forth. The unopened buds that have just emerged are called lotus seed hearts. Those picked with two inches of stem attached and then baked are called phoenix tails and dragon whiskers.” Every year after the Grain Rain and before the Start of Summer, new shoots about 10 to 13 centimeters long, with one bud and three or four leaves, are harvested as raw material. From this, we can see that Longxu Tea has a history of nearly 300 years.

During the production of Longxu Tea of Bajiaoting, colorful threads are used to bind it into bundles, hence it is also known as “bound tea.” The craftsmanship of Longxu Tea is unique, and the finished product is not only a fine tea but also an elegant and distinctive craft item. Longxu Tea is named for its resemblance to “dragon whiskers.”

Historical Development

Historical Origins

There are written records of Longxu Tea dating back to the early Qing Dynasty.

In 1717 (the 56th year of Emperor Kangxi's reign), Lu Tingcan, the magistrate of Chong'an County, recorded in “Continuation of the Classic of Tea”: “The tea on the mountains of Wuyi is called rock tea, while the tea by the water is called riverbank tea. Among the riverbank teas, there are names such as lotus seed hearts, white tips, purple tips, dragon whiskers, phoenix tails… and so forth.” He further described the method of picking and processing: “The unopened buds that have just emerged are called lotus seed hearts. Those picked with two inches of stem attached and then baked are called phoenix tails and dragon whiskers.”

According to these records, not only did the name “Longxu Tea” exist in the early Qing Dynasty, but there were also descriptions of the method of picking and processing. Therefore, it can