Phoenix Dan Cong Oolong Tea in Wu Dong Mountain

I was at the Phoenix town to purchase Phoenix Dan Cong oolong. I had an opportunity to visit Wu Dong Shan and survey the condition of the tea garden.

Wu Dong Shan is the best place for Phoenix Dan Cong oolong

Generally, it is said that Phoenix Dan Cong oolong is produced from the Phoenix Mountain. However, there is no specific mountain called Phoenix Mountain. The name “Phoenix Mountain” refers to a number of peaks around the Phoenix town. As a matter of fact, more than 80% of the tea is not even produced from high mountains but from ordinary tea gardens at much lower altitudes (sometimes below 500m above sea level). Out of many peaks of the Phoenix Mountain, Wu Dong Shan is known to be the best place for quality Phoenix Dan Cong oolong. The highest peak of Wu Dong Shan is around 1400m, and the tea trees are scattered almost to the top of the peak. Tea from Wu Dong Shan is sold at a higher price than tea from other mountains.

There were many walls and pathways constructed from rocks. The tea bushes are arranged layer by layer and built with rocks. It requires a lot of energy to walk around the tea garden of Phoenix oolong. Due to the many holes and niches between rocks, we also needed to be aware of venomous snakes. It is very dangerous to walk around in the morning, evening, and night when snakes are more active due to lower temperatures.

The harsh growing environment makes the aftertaste of the tea very strong and gives it a complex flavor.

For more on where Phoenix Dan Cong comes from, what Dan Cong and Lao Cong mean, and how it is made and brewed, see What Is Phoenix Dan Cong?.