茶路 · Tea Path
Shǎnxī · 陕西省
Growing region · Hanzhong · Ziyang · Qinling

Shǎnxī

陕西省 · Shǎnxī

Beyond the Qinling ridge, tea begins

秦岭茶韵

Shaanxi — the Qinling Mountains (秦岭), a natural boundary between North and South China. On the southern slope — selenium-rich Ziyang tea (the richest in selenium) and Hanzhong green tea. Pingli — the tea of the goddess Nüwa. Shangluo — the northernmost tea. A route from the ancient capital Xi'an (13 dynasties) through Qinling to the Terracotta Army.

Teas of this area

Ханьчжун Сяньхао 汉中仙毫

Green tea from the southern Qinling. Nanzheng — the core, 600–1200 m. Chestnut, sweet.

Цзыян Маоцзянь 紫阳毛尖

The richest selenium tea — up to 6.5 mg/kg in the soil. A powerful mineral profile.

Нюйвача 女娲茶

Tea of the goddess Nüwa from Pingli. Female tea masters. Mountains 800–1500 m.

Route by days

  1. Дни 1–2

    Ханьчжун 汉中市

    Xianhao · Southern Qinling

    Hanzhong — the ancient capital of the Han kingdom. Qinling — a biological boundary and shelter from northern winds. Nanzheng district (南郑) — the core, 600–1200 m. Mian county (勉县), Chenggu (城固), Ningqiang (宁强), Yang (洋县).

    Nanzheng Mountain House

  2. День 3

    Сисян 西乡县

    The Largest County

    Xixiang — the largest tea county in Shaanxi. Wuzi Xianhao (午子仙毫) — 'Morning Immortal', premium green. Canyons and terraces.

    Xixiang Lodge

  3. День 4

    Цзыян 紫阳县

    Selenium No. 1

    The capital of selenium tea. Up to 6.5 mg/kg selenium in the soil — a powerful antioxidant. Renhe river canyons — dramatic scenery. Ziyang Maojian — delicate, with a mineral profile.

    Mountain Lodge — canyon, starry sky

  4. День 5

    Пинли 平利县

    Nüwa Tea

    'The homeland of Nüwa tea' (女娲茶). Female tea masters. Nüwa Mountain (女娲山) 800–1500 m. A comparison: Ziyang (selenium) vs Pingli (organic).

    Pingli Mountain House

  5. День 6

    Шанло 商洛

    The Northernmost

    Qinling tea — the northernmost region. Shangnan (商南), Zhen'an (镇安), Shangyang (山阳). The northern boundary of the tea belt.

    Shangluo Hotel

  6. День 7

    Сиань 西安

    Terracotta · Finale

    The Terracotta Army — 8000 warriors of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. The ancient capital of 13 dynasties. The Ming city wall. Final tasting. Cuisine: biangbiang noodles, roujiamo.

Planning

Transport
Arrival at Xi'an (XIY). High-speed train Xi'an–Hanzhong 1.5 h. Minibus. ~1400 km.
Climate
South: 18–30°C. Mountains: 10–22°C. Contrast: Xi'an (dry) vs Ankang (humid).
What to bring
Layers (contrasting climate), trekking shoes, space for selenium tea.
Buying tea
Xianhao: from 300 ¥/jin. Ziyang: from 200. Nüwa tea: from 400 (rare).