Shan Ling Xi is in Jhushan township of Nantou county. Oolong tea has been grown in Shan Ling Xi for the past 50 years ago, but it was only since 1981 that oolong tea production has been stepped up to meet domestic demand.
This oolong tea growing area of Shan Ling Xi is about 1800 meters in altitude. Most of the oolong tea is the Wu-Long variety which is a very popular type of oolong tea in Taiwan. Two other varieties of tea - Jin Shuan and Tsuei Yu - are also grown in the Shan Ling Xi area.
Shan Ling Xi is also a popular tourist destination. There are cedar forests with running brooks in the vicinity that make it an enjoyable hiking area. There are many trails that meander through the forests with breathtaking views of waterfalls and beautiful flowers and plants.
The climate of Shan Ling Xi is temperate with plenty of rainfall and cool temperatures. The area is covered in an almost perpetual fog with short periods of sunshine. In winter frost and even snow are sometimes seen.
The cool climate means that Shan Ling Xi oolong tea grows slowly. There are only 3 harvests per year with each harvest being of high quality. These growing conditions produce an oolong tea leaf with a strong and unique flavour. The oolong tea is low in caffeine with very little bitterness or astringency. These leaves are soft and thick with a lustrous green colour. The smooth taste and elegant fragrance of Shan Ling Xi tea is prized among oolong tea connoisseurs.
Taiwan's Nantou county has a variety of terrains, each producing distinctive teas.
Taiwan's Lu Gu Township has been producing tea commercially since the mid 19th century.