Guangdong Phoenix Mountain

China

Phoenix Mountain (Fenghuang Shan) near Chaozhou in Guangdong Province is the exclusive home of Dancong oolong, a tea category famous for its extraordinary natural mimicry of fruit and flower aromas. The ancient tea trees on Wudong Peak, some over 600 years old, produce single-bush (dancong) harvests where each tree yields a distinct aromatic profile. Mi Lan Xiang (Honey Orchid) is the most popular fragrance type, but connoisseurs seek out dozens of named aromatics including Ya Shi Xiang (Duck Shit Aroma) and Zhi Lan Xiang (Orchid). The Chaozhou gongfu brewing tradition, using tiny clay pots and rapid infusions, originated here to showcase these complex aromatics.