Exploring the Heartland of Lapsang Souchong: Guwang Keng (Part 2)

Nestled within Tongmu Guan in Wuyishan National Park, Nanping, Fujian Province, lies the birthplace of Lapsang Souchong—the world's earliest black tea.

Among Tongmu Guan's many core sub-regions, Guwang Keng stands out as the “jewel in the crown” of Lapsang Souchong. This small, valley-shaped terroir, with its unique micro-watershed, represents the most primitive, pure, and exquisite expression of Lapsang Souchong.

This tiny growing area possesses several distinctive features:

• Pristine Ecology: Located deep within the mountains, Guwang Keng remains largely untouched by human activity. Its well-preserved primitive ecosystem—blanketed with bamboo forests, ancient pine trees, and diverse mosses—creates an ideal environment for tea cultivation. Tea trees thrive under diffused sunlight, absorbing the delicate fragrances of countless wildflowers and herbs.

• Tea Plant Resources: The tea plants here are predominantly composed of “Caicha” population varieties—a diverse, native collection of sexually propagated tea bushes. With their varied forms and rich aromatic compounds, these plants serve as the sole raw material for authentic traditional Lapsang Souchong and form the foundation of its distinctive “mountain character.”