Basic Introduction to Qishet Tea
The cultivation of QiShe tea has a long history and it has been highly regarded throughout history, with mentions in books such as “Xingyi Fu Zhi” and “Travels in Yunnan and Guizhou” (written by Chen Ding during the Qing Dynasty). Over time, QiShe tea has been favored for its unique flavor and exceptional durability when brewed. In recent years, the Xingyi Municipal Party Committee and Government have placed great importance on the development of the tea industry, treating it as an agricultural pillar industry and a project to enrich the people. A series of supportive policies and measures have been introduced, boosting the enthusiasm of tea farmers, leading to a total tea garden area of 79,000 mu. In Qishetown alone, the tea garden covers 24,500 mu. There are two provincial-level leading model enterprises, two model cooperatives, over 30 processing workshops, 13 established farmer professional cooperatives, one town-level association, one special industry joint branch, six newly constructed high-quality tea garden demonstration bases, and two clean tea factories with an annual production capacity of 200 tons. Three enterprises have obtained QS certification.
After Xingyi City's QiShe tea and Qinglong County's Qinglong green tea received geographical indication protection as specialty products, they became brands for fostering the development of our region's characteristic advantageous industries, improving the market share of our region's tea products. Geographical indication protection also facilitates the cultivation of leading enterprises and farmers' cooperatives, extending the value chain of specialty products, providing sustainable impetus for farmers' income growth, and offering solid support for poverty alleviation efforts.
Through adjustments and optimization of agricultural structure, Qishetown in Xingyi City focuses on cultivating industries as a breakthrough point. The “QiShe tea” produced individually by tea farmers is sold far and wide, reaching markets in Zhejiang, Anhui, Beijing, and even being purchased directly by merchants from Jiangsu and Zhejiang for processing and export. The prices for fresh tea leaves and finished tea products have risen year after year. In 2009, spring tea products rose to 300-600 yuan per kilogram, while fresh tea leaves reached 30-50 yuan per kilogram; summer and autumn tea products increased to 300-400 yuan per kilogram, with fresh tea leaves at 20-30 yuan per kilogram.
Geographical Environment
Qishetown is located in the southwest of Xingyi City, Guizhou Province, at 104 degrees east longitude and 25 degrees north latitude. The town covers an area of 116.6 square kilometers, with a forest coverage rate of over 48%. There are more than 30,000 mu of mountains and fallow land suitable for high-quality tea cultivation. The average elevation of the town is 1,880 meters, with a maximum elevation of 2,207.5 meters. The average annual temperature is 14.5 degrees Celsius, and the annual rainfall is 1,600 millimeters. The natural environment is excellent, water and soil resources are abundant, and there are favorable climatic resources and ecological conditions.
Qishetown in Xingyi City is a major transportation hub to Yunnan and Guangxi, with county roads and rural highways crisscrossing and connecting each other, forming a center for logistics and human flow. The main cash crops include tobacco, and it is also a major producer of kiwifruit. The average annual temperature is 12-15°C, making it an ideal place to escape the heat and enjoy snow scenery. Qishetown has a typical subtropical humid climate, with an average annual temperature of 14°C, which is conducive to the growth of various plants, characterized by cool summers and spring-like weather all year round.
Dedicated Mark Usage.
The production area of QiShe tea encompasses the current administrative regions of four towns: Qishetown, Pengzhatown, Jingnantown, and Zhuchangping Township in Xingyi City, Guizhou Province.
Producers within the production area of QiShe tea can apply to the Xingyi City Market Supervision and Administration Bureau of Qiannan Prefecture, Guizhou Province, to use the “Geographical Indication Product Dedicated Mark.” After review by the Guizhou Provincial Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau and approval by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, the application will be announced. The testing institution for QiShe tea will be selected by the Guizhou Provincial Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau from among qualified testing institutions.
Awards and Honors
In the Shanghai International Tea Culture Festival evaluation in 2009, QiShe tea won the Gold Medal title of “China Famous Tea.”
In 2013, QiShe tea won first prize in the “Guizhou Tea Cup” competition for high-quality teas.
In 2016, in the “Guizhou Tea Cup” competition for high-quality teas, QiShe tea was honored again, winning the grand prize.