In the eastern segment of the Himalayan range, Lebu Tea from Cuona City stands out due to its unique geographical environment and exceptional quality, becoming a shining gem in China's highland tea industry.
Lebu tea is produced on the southern slope of the eastern Himalayas, where the terrain rises sharply, with altitudes ranging from 2,400 to 2,900 meters. The air is fresh and the atmospheric pressure is relatively low. Under these unique natural conditions, the evaporation process in tea plants accelerates, secreting more aromatic oils, which results in a pure fragrance and rich flavor of the tea leaves.
Cuona City, as the main production area for Lebu tea, has an average annual temperature of 10.03°C, and is shrouded in mist year-round, featuring a distinct vertical climate. The temperate climate ensures that Lebu tea does not grow excessively due to high temperatures and avoids frost damage from snow accumulation. The humid climate and soil provide the best conditions for the transformation and accumulation of nutrients in the tea, leading to a pure aroma, rich taste, clear color, and excellent mouthfeel. Additionally, the coexistence of mosses, ferns, gymnosperms, angiosperms, and other higher plants in the Lebu tea production area provides a rich biodiversity and clean air, creating a natural barrier for the growth of Lebu tea and ensuring its pristine quality.
The Cuona Municipal Party Committee and the municipal government attach great importance to the development of Lebu tea. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, they included the enhancement of the Lebu tea industry in their poverty alleviation plans, making it a key agricultural sector for the city. Production and output have steadily increased year by year. From 2013 to 2025, the total production of Lebu dark tea reached 163,300 catties, with an annual value of 35,275,200 yuan. Its sales cover regions such as the Tibet Autonomous Region, Sichuan Province, Anhui Province, Hunan Province, Hubei Province, Yunnan Province, and Beijing, gaining wide recognition and popularity for its outstanding quality.
To further strengthen and expand the Lebu tea industry in Cuona City and increase its added value, thus boosting local incomes, in recent years, the city has focused on innovation and novelty. Centering around the unique advantage of high-altitude tea, they have relied on market demand while strengthening organizational guidance, increasing investment, piloting demonstrations, and enhancing services. They have consistently increased support for the development of Lebu tea. Through precise measures in areas like tea variety improvement, tea garden management, equipment upgrades, brand cultivation, and marketing, they have comprehensively assisted the industry's progress towards large-scale cultivation, standardized production, and branded sales. As a result, the core competitiveness of the Lebu tea industry has been further enhanced.
As a representative of plateau specialty agricultural products, Lebu tea is not only a new highlight for income growth among local farmers and herdsmen but also a crucial industry driving rural revitalization in Cuona City. Moving forward, Cuona City will continue to develop its tea economy and enrich its Tea culture, accelerating prosperity through tea and achieving wealth because of it, painting a vibrant picture of a fragrant tea landscape with prosperous villages and enriched citizens.