Chaozhou: A city worth visiting for its tea

Author: Xu Jiahua, Nationally Certified Senior Tea Appraiser

If you are a tea lover, you should definitely not miss Chaozhou.This guide will explore why Chaozhou has always been one of the most coveted destinations for true tea enthusiasts.

Introduction to Chaozhou

According to Wikipedia, Chaozhou is a historic city in eastern Guangdong Province, China, and is widely regarded as the birthplace of Gongfu Tea and a core center of Chaoshan culture. 

Its long history of tea cultivation and refined brewing traditions has had a lasting influence on Chinese tea culture, making Chaozhou an essential destination for understanding the art, spirit, and etiquette of Chinese tea.

Why Chaozhou Is a Must-Visit City for Tea Lovers

Let's experience the charm of this tea city.

A City Shaped by Tea Culture

If you love tea, visiting Chaozhou is like stepping into a living tea museum—where every street, teahouse, and home reflects centuries of tea tradition.Visitors to Chaozhou can experience tea culture just like the locals, where it’s woven into daily life and tradition. 

From learning Gongfu tea rituals to tasting Phoenix Dancong, travelers can enjoy hands-on brewing, visit tea houses, and join social tea gatherings, immersing themselves in the city’s rich tea culture.

Home of Phoenix Dancong Oolong

The region’s unique mountains and centuries-old tea trees produce Phoenix Dancong, with rich floral and fruity aromas that reflect the mountain, tree, and artisan—teas you won’t find anywhere else.

Birthplace of Gongfu Tea

Chaozhou is the birthplace of Gongfu tea, an essential part of Chinese tea ceremony. Here, brewing and drinking tea is more than a ritual—it’s a mindful, immersive experience that reflects centuries of tradition and respect for tea.

Phoenix Dancong Tea — The Soul of Chaozhou

What Makes Phoenix Dancong Tea Unique?

Several unique natural and cultural factors come together to make Phoenix Dancong tea truly one of a kind.

Naturally occurring aromas

Phoenix Dancong is prized for its natural fragrance, developed through terroir and craftsmanship rather than added flavoring.

Phoenix Dancong Tastes Complex and Layered

Phoenix Dancong offers a rich combination of floral, fruity, and honeyed notes, with a smooth, mellow texture. Its flavor unfolds over multiple infusions, revealing subtle variations and a lingering sweetness that makes each cup a unique experience.

Single-tree and single-origin character

Many Dancong teas are made from individual tea trees or small plots, preserving distinct personalities.

Strong sense of terroir

Altitude, soil, climate, and surrounding vegetation of Phoenix Mountain directly influence aroma and taste.

Famous Aroma Types of Dancong Tea

Here are some famous fragrance types,each offers a distinct experience while maintaining the tea’s signature clarity and lingering finish.

Explore unique Phoenix Dan Cong tea with Dofo Tea

We offer tea lovers authentic Dan Cong tea – fresh, aromatic, and true to its origins.Significant advantages.

Authentic from the place of origin

Being based in Chaozhou gives Dofo Tea a natural origin advantage. We work closely with local farmers to ensure careful harvesting, traditional processing, and true-to-origin quality—so every cup delivers the authentic taste of Phoenix Dancong tea.

High-Altitude Tea Gardens, Rich Aroma and Sweet Finish

Sourced from the high-altitude tea gardens of Phoenix Mountain, Dofo Tea’s Dancong benefits from cooler temperatures and mineral-rich soil. The result is a strong, lingering aroma and a smooth, naturally sweet aftertaste that lasts through multiple infusions.

Wide Variety of Teas

We offer a variety of traditional Phoenix Dan Cong teas, including Honey Orchid, Duck Shit Aroma, Almond Aroma, Gardenia Aroma, and Woody Aroma.. Each reflects a different aromatic style, from elegant florals to fruity and gently roasted notes.

Come and try Dofo Tea's selected Phoenix Dancong tea series!

Chaozhou Gongfu Tea Tradition

What Is Chaozhou Gongfu Tea?

Gongfu Tea is a traditional Chinese tea brewing method that emphasizes precision, patience, and skill rather than martial arts. The term gongfu refers to the time and effort devoted to extracting the best flavor from tea, making it a core practice in Chinese tea culture.

Chaozhou Gongfu Tea is known for its use of small teapots and tasting cups, precise water temperature, and careful brewing steps. Three cups are often arranged to resemble the character 品 (pǐn), symbolizing tasting and appreciation.

Originally used to enhance the flavor of everyday teas, Gongfu Tea evolved into a refined and influential tradition in the Chaoshan region, shaping how Chinese tea is enjoyed today.

Traditional Chaozhou Tea Set

Local artisans still handcraft tea tools blending function and aesthetics, making Chaozhou a key center for tea ware collectors, including:

Chaozhou Red Clay Teapot

Lightweight and highly responsive to temperature, this teapot is perfect for brewing Dancong oolong. Its porous clay retains heat evenly, enhancing the tea’s aroma and bringing out the subtle flavors in each infusion.

Porcelain Gaiwan

Ideal for testing aroma and flavor clarity, the gaiwan allows tea enthusiasts to fully appreciate the delicate notes of each leaf. Its simple design emphasizes precision and control during the brewing process.

Small Teacups

A signature of Chaoshan tea culture, small teacups highlight the richness, fragrance, and sweetness of the tea in every sip. They encourage mindful tasting, allowing drinkers to savor each layer of flavor slowly and attentively.

Chaozhou tea culture emphasizes heat control, aroma, and brewing skill. Each tea ware piece enhances precision, ensuring every cup balances taste, fragrance, and warmth.

How Gongfu Brewing Brings Out Aroma and Depth

Gongfu tea brewing has several unique characteristics：

• High leaf concentration:
  Uses more tea leaves than Western-style brewing to fully release flavors and essential oils.
• Quick, repeated pours:
  Short infusions prevent bitterness while extracting the tea’s richness.
• Evolving aroma and taste:
  Each infusion reveals subtle changes, letting drinkers experience the tea’s complexity over multiple cups.
• Ritual and mindfulness:
  The brewing process itself becomes a moment of focus and enjoyment, emphasizing the experience as much as the drink.

If you'd like to learn more practical tips for Gong Fu tea, you're also welcome to read our "Gong Fu Tea Guide".

How Tea Lovers Can Fully Experience Chaozhou

To truly understand Chaozhou’s tea culture, the best way is to step into it—through its mountains, teahouses, and everyday tea rituals.

Local Tea Markets and Cultural Streets

Chaozhou’s tea markets and historic streets let visitors browse authentic Phoenix Dancong, watch locals enjoy tea, and discover unique teaware. These lively spots offer a hands-on, sensory experience. They connect flavor with the city’s tea culture in everyday life.

Tea Art and Tea Training Experiences

Many tea houses and cultural spaces in Chaozhou offer tea art demonstrations and tea ceremony training. These experiences allow visitors to:

• Learn proper Gongfu brewing techniques
• Understand tea evaluation and tasting
• Explore the philosophy behind Chinese tea rituals
  
  

For tea professionals and enthusiasts, this hands-on learning adds depth to the travel experience.

Tea Mountain Tourism: Visiting the Source of Great Tea

One of the most rewarding experiences for tea lovers is visiting Chaozhou’s tea mountains, especially Phoenix Mountain, home to ancient tea trees hundreds of years old. Visitors can:

• Walk through high-altitude tea gardens
• Learn about traditional harvesting and processing
• Taste fresh tea at its origin
  
  

Tea mountain tourism connects flavor with geography, helping visitors truly understand why Chaozhou teas are so distinctive.

At Dofo Tea, we offer hands-on tea training and guided tea mountain tours, so you can experience Phoenix Dancong from leaf to cup.Join Dofo tea to learn, taste, and explore the authentic tea culture of Chaozhou.

Best Time to Visit Chaozhou for Tea Lovers

Spring: Fresh Tea Harvest Season

Spring is the most popular time to visit Chaozhou, as it marks the fresh tea harvest. During this season, tea gardens are active, aromas are at their peak, and visitors can experience newly produced Phoenix Dancong with vibrant flavor and freshness.

Autumn: A Calm Season for Tea Exploration

Autumn offers a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere, ideal for slow tea tasting and cultural exploration. The mild weather makes it perfect for visiting tea houses and tea mountains while enjoying aged and roasted Dancong teas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phoenix Dancong tea suitable for beginners?

Yes. While Phoenix Dancong is complex, many varieties are approachable for beginners, especially lighter-roasted or floral styles. Learning basic Gongfu brewing techniques helps unlock its full character.

What makes Phoenix Dancong different from other oolongs?

Its distinct aroma types, natural sweetness, and connection to Chaozhou tea culture, including Gongfu brewing practices, set it apart from other oolong teas.

How should I brew Phoenix Dancong?

It’s best brewed using Gongfu tea method: short, multiple infusions in a small teapot or gaiwan with water around 95°C.

Discover Authentic Phoenix Dancong with Dofo Tea

Phoenix Dancong is more than a tea—it is a living expression of Chaozhou’s land, craftsmanship, and tea culture.

At Dofo Tea, we offer more than tasting authentic Phoenix Dancong. We share the tradition through gongfu tea training, hands-on learning, and immersive tea mountain journeys that connect you directly with the origin of the tea.

Experience the unique Phoenix Dancong oolong at Dofo tea today.