Alishan is referred to as Taiwan’s “Tea Country” and is home to the national treasure oolong tea. The island has a long history of tea with local farmers using natural farming techniques that preserve the rich culture.

The community of Alishan has worked together to protect sustainable farms where the land has already been used to grow tea for decades, rather than land that has been cleared for the purpose of growing tea. The Taiwanese government has demolished all commercial farming of oolong at high-altitude due to its environmental impacts and restore them to their pre-agriculture state.

Grown on mountain slopes oolong is harvested by hand since it’s not possible to use machines to harvest leaves. These ethical agriculture practices are passed down through generations with each farm producing their own variations as a sign of respect to the land.

Original: 8.5” x 11” inch. Paper Collage Made with Copyright Free Photography of Alishan.