Yuanling Jietan Tea

Yuanling County in Huaihua boasts a long history of tea planting. Its Jietan tea has been designated as an imperial tribute starting in the Tang Dynasty (618–907), hence the title of "Thousand-year-old Imperial Tribute Tea." Jietan tea has received the "Gold Prize of China Famous Tea for Century Expo Milan – Italy," and was served as a designated green tea brand for two sessions of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo. It is reputed as an "outstanding representative of China's high-end green tea" and has been collected by the National Museum of China as a sample of modern green tea. 

 
Entering Jietan Village, with the Yuanjiang River flowing at the foot of the mountain, visitors may try their hand at picking tea leaves in an ecological tea garden, listen to the story of this "Thousand-year-old Imperial Tribute Tea," and taste a unique tea feast. 

Recommended tea plantations: Jietan Village, Beirong Township. 

 
Best harvest period: Late March – Mid-April.

Hands-on activities: Picking tea leaves and experiencing traditional tea culture.

Nearby attractions: Jiemuxi National Nature Reserve and Eryou Mountain.

Local delicacies: Yuanling sun-dried meat, Jiemuxi wild vegetables, and Jietan tea-scented duck.

Chinese source: hunantoday