As a traditional Chinese beverage, tea comes in a wide variety. Among them, Xigu Gu Shu Tea (Ancient Tree Tea) is highly praised for its unique quality and taste. However, the price of this tea keeps many tea lovers at bay. This article will delve into the price factors of Xigu Gu Shu Tea and explore its inherent value.
The Price of Xigu Gu Shu Tea
Due to its unique quality and scarcity, Xigu Gu Shu Tea commands a high price in the Pu’er tea market. Below is a summary of the main price information for spring tea from the Xigu production area in 2025:
| Category | 2025 Price Range (CNY/kg) |
| Xigu Gu Shu Tea (Ancient Tree Tea) | 7,000 – 11,000 |
| Xigu Xiao Shu Tea (Small Tree Tea) | Approximately 800 – 1,000 |
| Xigu Hun Cai / Da Shu Tea (Mixed Picked / Large Tree Tea) | Approximately 4,500 – 5,000 |
Note: The above prices are reference prices for unprocessed spring tea materials. The actual transaction price may fluctuate based on specific circumstances. When purchasing, if you encounter products claiming to be “Xigu Gu Shu Tea” but priced far below this range, you need to be cautious.
Reasons for the High Price of Xigu Gu Shu Tea
The high price of Xigu Gu Shu Tea is mainly attributed to its scarcity, unique quality, complex production process, and profound collection and cultural value.
- Scarce Output
The scarcity of Xigu Gu Shu Tea primarily stems from the long growth cycle of ancient tea trees, which take several decades or even a hundred years to become harvestable. Meanwhile, Xigu Gu Shu Tea has strict requirements for its growing environment. The ancient tea gardens of Xigu are located in Xigu Village, Bangdong Township, Lincang City, Yunnan Province, along the Lancang River, with an altitude of approximately 700 to 800 meters. It is a relatively rare low-altitude tea garden in Yunnan.
The unique climate of “high mountain mists and low-altitude river valleys” creates large temperature differences between day and night, with lingering mists. The soil is fertile and rich in minerals, laying the foundation for the formation of Xigu Tea’s unique quality. Additionally, the picking standard for ancient tree tea is high, usually only picking the young leaves from the upper part of the tree (such as one bud with one leaf or one bud with two leaves), which further limits the output.
- Unique Taste
The dried leaves of Xigu Gu Shu Tea are dark green or black, in the shape of willow leaves. Its tea soup is golden and translucent. When tasted, Xigu Gu Shu Tea may have a slight bitterness at first, but this bitterness dissipates quickly, turning into a long-lasting sweet aftertaste and a refreshing sensation in the mouth, with a full-bodied texture.
It has a rich layering of aromas, typically featuring orchid fragrance, fruit fragrance, and the unique mushroom fragrance (such as the fragrance of dried shiitake mushrooms) that is characteristic of Xigu Tea. Xigu Gu Shu Tea is also known for its strong tea aroma and a profound aftertaste in the throat.
- Fine Production Process
From picking to the final product, Xigu Gu Shu Tea goes through multiple processes, including picking, airing, fixing (kill-green), rolling, and roasting. These processes require meticulous operation and advanced skills, and take a long time.
The traditional production process of Xigu Gu Shu Tea also requires the use of traditional manual methods, without the assistance of mechanized equipment, which further increases the production cost. For Xigu ripe tea, its unique fermentation process significantly increases the difficulty of production.
- Collection and Market Factors
Xigu Gu Shu Tea holds a certain position in the tea collection circle. As time passes, the collection value of ancient tree tea may continue to increase. Some tea enthusiasts and collectors purchase ancient tree tea for investment and collection purposes, which further drives up the price of ancient tree tea.
In recent years, with the growing attention to healthy diets and tea culture, Xigu Tea, as one of the iconic premium tea-producing areas in the Lincang tea region, has seen a continuous increase in market demand.
Suggestions for Purchasing and Inquiring About Prices
When you are ready to purchase, here are some practical suggestions:
- Pay Attention to the Source and Channel: Choose reputable merchants or channels. Before purchasing, try to understand information such as the tea’s origin, tree age, and picking season.
- Understand the Price Composition: The price of finished tea products (such as tea cakes and tea bricks) on the market will include processing, packaging, storage, transportation, brand operation, and profit costs in addition to the cost of raw materials. Therefore, for a 357-gram cake of Xigu Gu Shu Tea, if the raw material price is 8,500 CNY/kg, the raw material cost alone is approximately 3,000 CNY, so the selling price of the finished product will naturally be higher.
- Choose According to Your Needs: For experienced tea lovers or collectors who pursue a top-tier experience and have sufficient budgets, pure ancient tree tea is a suitable choice. For daily drinking and to experience the style of Xigu Tea, you can consider high-quality large tree tea or small tree tea.