The 11 Best Tea Brands in China

Da Hong Pao is another renowned Chinese tea brand that Mytour is excited to introduce to you. This famous tea is produced on Wuyi Mountain, located in Song’an County, Fujian Province, China. Wuyi Mountain is famous for its variety of teas such as Tie Luo Han, Rou Gui, Shui Jin Gui, and particularly Da Hong Pao. Da Hong Pao is a semi-fermented tea, blended between green and red tea, resulting in a rich, sweet, and full-bodied fragrance.

Da Hong Pao is the leading tea brand of Wuyi Mountain’s teas. The tea plants that create Da Hong Pao grow in the Jiulong Valley, located in the northern part of Wuyi Mountain, at an elevation of 600 meters above sea level. The spring water in the valley flows year-round, and the area is shrouded in mist. Legend has it that the Da Hong Pao tea variety was brought to this region by a magical crane that dropped seeds from the immortal island of Penglai. The seeds grew into the tea plants we know today.

The Da Hong Pao tea plants are over a thousand years old, and only four of these plants remain in the Jiulong Valley. Every year, in mid-May, locals use ladders to harvest the leaves, with only a tiny amount collected—just a few ounces. This is why Da Hong Pao is considered one of the rarest teas in the world. It is also among the most expensive, sometimes costing 30 times more than gold. Today, the cliffside where the crane is said to have dropped the tea seeds still has the three red characters 'Da Hong Pao' engraved on it.

Hui Ming Tea is one of the best-known tea brands in China. Originating from the upper reaches of the Ou River in Zhejiang Province, it is named after the Hui Ming Temple, located on Mount Chi Mu, where the tea plants are cultivated.

The Hui Ming Temple has a rich history in tea production. The legend of Hui Ming Tea is intriguing. During the Da Zhong period of the Tang Dynasty, an elderly man from the Sha tribe named Loi Tai Tzu, fleeing with his four sons from Guangdong to Jiangxi and then to Zhejiang, met a monk along the way.

After parting with the monk, Loi Tai Tzu built a humble hut in the O Li region of Jingning County to clear land for farming. However, local landowners forced the family off the mountain, accusing them of land encroachment. The family continued their wandering until they met the monk again. This monk was the founder of the Hui Ming Temple on Mount Chi Mu. He allowed them to stay at the temple and helped them cultivate the land to plant tea. This is the origin of Hui Ming Tea, according to the legend.

West Lake Longjing Tea is one of the most renowned tea brands in China. As the name suggests, this tea is produced in the area surrounding West Lake in Zhejiang Province. Longjing tea is not only famous in China but is also a well-known green tea around the world.

The characteristics of West Lake Longjing Tea can be summed up in eight words: "Green color, strong fragrance, smooth taste, beautiful shape." Longjing tea, meaning 'dragon well tea,' became famous during the reign of Emperor Qianlong. During a visit to Zhejiang, the emperor stopped by a famous local tea garden and tasted Longjing tea.

At first, Emperor Qianlong did not have a special impression, but later, when the sweet taste lingered in his throat, he ordered that West Lake Longjing Tea be presented to the imperial palace every year. From then on, West Lake Longjing Tea became a famous imperial green tea, capturing the hearts of tea lovers.

Bich La Xuan Tea is one of the finest tea brands in China that Mytour wishes to introduce to its readers. This renowned Bich La Xuan tea is produced in the Dong Ding Mountains, situated in Taihu, Wuxi, Jiangsu. The Chinese say: "Dong Ding Bich La Xuan Tea, its fragrance can travel a hundred miles" to describe its origin and the exceptional fragrance of this tea.

Initially, the tea was named Renxiang, due to the strange, delightful scent that fresh tea leaves emitted after picking. Later, during an imperial visit to Taihu, Emperor Kangxi was presented with this tea. Finding the name unrefined, he decided to rename it to Bich La Xuan. The tea is sourced from the Dong Ding Mountains, where only young leaves are harvested in spring. After processing, the tea results in a spiral shape, with a fine, downy texture, a vivid green color, and an intense fragrance.

When brewed, the tea yields a clear, bright green infusion. Bich La Xuan Tea, made from young spring leaves, undergoes processing that results in a fine, silky texture and a captivating green hue. This premium tea plays a significant role in shaping the cultural identity of Chinese tea ceremonies.

Jiukou Hong Mai is one of the finest tea brands in China that you should not miss. Also known as Jiukou Hong or Jiukou Oolong, this famous tea brand originates from the banks of the Qiantang River in Hangzhou, China.

The poetic name Jiukou Hong Mai comes from an ancient legend. The Chinese tell the story of an elderly, impoverished couple who, after many years, were blessed with a son after praying sincerely to the Buddha. They named the boy A Long, and as he grew, he became quite curious. One day, while playing near water, A Long noticed two shrimps fighting over a small pearl. Intrigued, he took the pearl and ran home with it.

On his way home, A Long accidentally swallowed the pearl, causing his body to become unbearably itchy. He went to bathe, and as soon as he touched the water, his body transformed into a small dragon-like Oolong, with sharp claws and teeth, flying towards the mountains. The Oolong dragon was torn between staying and leaving, constantly looking back at his parents. The place where the Oolong dragon rested became the Jiukou stream. Over time, a tea tree grew by the stream, with leaves resembling the shape of a small dragon, which is why the tea was called Jiukou Oolong. When brewed, the tea leaves shine with a golden hue, and the liquor is a bright pink, earning it the name Jiukou Hong Mai.

The most famous of all Chinese teas is perhaps Oolong Tea. To create this premium Oolong tea, only the finest tea buds are selected, naturally dried under the early morning sunlight to capture the purest essence of heaven and earth.

The most perfect tea leaves are those that are twisted into a spiral shape and possess a subtle fragrance. Oolong tea comes in many varieties, and it is one of the most expensive tea brands in the world due to its exquisite flavors. The origin of Oolong Tea, according to Chinese legend, is attributed to a hunter named Hu Liang, who lived in the deep mountains of Anxi, Fujian.

One hot day, after returning from a hunting trip, Hu Liang feared that the wild game he had caught would spoil. He casually picked a few leaves from the roadside to cover the meat. When he got home, he noticed a fragrant scent emanating from the leaves. After further investigation, he realized that the aroma was coming from the leaves he had picked. Hu Liang brewed the leaves in water and felt a wave of refreshing energy. This was the discovery of Oolong Tea, which happened that very day.

Quan Son Silver Needle is another exceptional tea from China that Mytour would like to introduce. It hails from the Quan Son region in Hunan province. This prestigious tea gained fame during the period of the Five Dynasties. When Emperor Ming of the Tang Dynasty, Li Zitong, ascended the throne, he issued a decree to classify this tea as one of the finest teas to be presented to the imperial court.

The Dongting Lake houses an island dedicated solely to tea cultivation, surrounded by water on all sides. On this island, Quan Son Silver Needle is considered the finest, with its straight, soft, feather-like down on its leaves, and golden hues reflecting the light. People often describe it as 'gold adorned with jade.' When brewed, it releases a rich, fragrant aroma that captivates the senses. Quan Son Silver Needle is listed among China's 'Top Ten Famous Teas.'

This tea exudes the natural fragrance of wild plants, offering a refreshing, full-bodied taste. The subtle sweetness lingers, and the tea's pale, clear infusion delights the eye. The carefully selected tea buds are firm and uniform, wrapped in a fine, white down like feathers, with a bright, light yellow hue, which led to it being called 'Golden Jade' due to its brilliant appearance.

Huangshan Mao Feng is one of the most renowned tea brands in China. It is produced in the Huangshan region of Anhui Province, China. In 1955, Huangshan Mao Feng was selected as one of the “Ten Great Famous Teas” of China.

The name of the tea, Huangshan Mao Feng, originates from the combination of the name of the Huangshan mountain range – where it is produced – and "Mao Feng". The word "Mao" refers to "fur", which signifies the appearance of numerous white hairs on the tea leaves. "Feng" comes from a poetic line "bái hào fēi shēn, yá tiān zì fēng", describing the characteristic emerald green, sharp, sword-like shape of the leaves.

The tea leaves of Huangshan Mao Feng are usually harvested during the Qingming season and only the healthy buds with soft, fine hairs are selected to create this premium tea. The finished Huangshan Mao Feng has a distinct shape with clearly visible white hairs and a color resembling ivory. When brewed, the tea releases a fragrant aroma that lingers, with a clear golden-yellow color and a sweet, mild taste. The leaves unfurl in the water, resembling delicate yellow flowers. Huangshan Mao Feng is a historic Chinese tea brand known for its perfect balance of color, fragrance, taste, and shape.

Dũng Khê Hỏa Thanh is one of the most renowned and exquisite tea brands in China. This special variety originates from Jing County in Anhui Province, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. It is said that during that time, there was a scholar named Liu Jin, who was known as Lao Han Xian Sheng, in the Dũng Khê region.

One spring day, while traveling through the Dũng Khê mountains, Lao Han Xian Sheng stumbled upon a tea plant with unusual characteristics—half of the leaves were white, and the other half was golden. He took a cutting from the plant, rolled it, and roasted it over fire, resulting in a tea with jade-green leaves, covered with fine white fuzz, and a sweet fragrance reminiscent of orange blossom. This tea was named Hỏa Thanh.

The Dũng Khê Hỏa Thanh tea quickly gained fame for its refreshing aroma and sweet taste. Over time, it became a royal tea, reaching its peak during the Qing Dynasty (1851-1861). Today, Dũng Khê Hỏa Thanh is still carefully preserved and remains a highly cherished tea that the Chinese take great pride in.

Tây Sơn Trà is a famous tea brand from China, and its omission would indeed be a great oversight. This precious tea originates from the Tây Sơn region, located in Quế Bình County, Guangxi Province. Like other renowned tea brands from China, Tây Sơn Trà also has a mystical legend associated with it.

The Chinese say that long ago, on the Tây Sơn mountain, there was a stone slab shaped like a chessboard. Around this stone slab grew many tea plants. One day, two celestial beings descended from the heavens and sat down to play chess on the stone. They picked a few tea leaves from the plants nearby, brewed them with water from the Khổng Tuyền spring, and thus created the famous Tây Sơn Trà that endures even today. Tây Sơn Trà is a special tea made from the pure spring water and the tea plants from the Tây Sơn mountains, with a flavor that is unforgettable and distinct from any other tea brand.

The uniqueness of this tea lies in the preparation process and the use of pristine spring water from the Tây Sơn mountains. When brewed, the tea exudes a strong, full-bodied flavor that is balanced and refreshing. The taste of Tây Sơn Trà is typically smooth and sweet, lingering on the palate and easy to drink. Its pale golden color and delicate aroma create a soothing and uplifting experience when sipping the tea.

Thiết Quan Âm is a tea brand from the An Khê region in Fujian, dating back to the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. The origin of Thiết Quan Âm is said to be from a village called Tùng Lâm, where a man named Ngụy Ẩm, a devout Buddhist, found a tea plant emitting a radiant glow while gathering firewood in the mountains. He took the tea plant home, nurtured it, and used its leaves to create a tea with a unique flavor. This tea later came to be known as Thiết Quan Âm.

Thiết Quan Âm is a type of Chinese black tea, as it typically brews a reddish-pink hue when prepared. The tea leaves are twisted into a coiled shape, with a vibrant green color. When brewed, it produces a fragrant, robust, and mildly sweet aroma that lingers. Today, Thiết Quan Âm is regarded as one of the most renowned teas, contributing to the cultural significance of Chinese tea ceremonies.

Thiết Quan Âm is distinguished by its smooth, even, coiled leaves, with a fresh green color. The tea’s liquor has a bright yellow tint, carrying a delicate floral scent of orchids. Its taste is smooth with a subtle bitterness that offers a refreshing feeling. Enjoying Thiết Quan Âm provides a sense of relaxation and is also known to boost the immune system. It is the perfect choice for tea enthusiasts who appreciate a light, bittersweet flavor.