In short: Shangba Tea Farm is a tea estate in Zunyi City, China, operated by Zhengan Tianci at an elevation of 1,189 metres and certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Shangba Tea Farm is a tea estate situated in Zunyi City, in the northern part of Guizhou province, China. The estate operates at an elevation of 1,189 metres and is managed by Zhengan Tianci. It is certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership and produces green, oolong, and black teas, though no buyers are currently recorded in industry supply-chain data.
Terroir & Climate
At 1,189 metres above sea level and positioned at latitude 28.56°N, Shangba occupies a mid-elevation zone in a region where altitude and moisture typically combine to moderate daytime temperatures and extend the growing window for tea. Estates at this elevation in Guizhou generally experience a climate shaped by the province's position on the Yunnan-Guizhou plateau, where mist, cloud cover, and reliable rainfall are common during the spring and summer flush periods. These conditions tend to slow leaf maturation, which can favour the accumulation of amino acids and polyphenols.
The terroir of Zunyi City is closely associated with China's historical tea culture—this is the region that includes parts of the famous Meitan and Fenggang tea zones—and estates here often benefit from red and yellow soils that are slightly acidic and rich in trace minerals. The interplay of elevation, latitude, and the area's microclimate generally supports the production of teas with clarity and a moderate astringency, though specific soil composition and cultivar choices will vary from farm to farm.
Tea Produced
Shangba Tea Farm produces green, oolong, and black teas. Green teas from estates at this elevation in Zunyi City typically exhibit a clean, vegetal character with a gentle sweetness and minimal bitterness, reflecting the slower leaf growth common to higher-altitude gardens. Oolongs from this region tend to show floral and sometimes fruity notes, with oxidation levels that can range from light to moderate. Black teas produced at mid-elevations in Guizhou often present a rounded body with malty or slightly honeyed notes, though the intensity and profile will depend on processing choices and the timing of the harvest.
Operator
The estate is operated by Zhengan Tianci. No other estates operated by this company are currently recorded in our directory.
Certifications & Ethics
Shangba Tea Farm is certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership, an independent membership organisation that works to improve social and environmental conditions on tea estates. ETP certification signals that the estate has committed to ongoing audits and improvement plans covering labour rights, health and safety, and environmental stewardship. For buyers, it offers third-party assurance of responsible sourcing; for workers, it is intended to support fair treatment, safe working conditions, and channels for grievance.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Shangba Tea Farm lies at 28.5602, 107.6136 in Zunyi City, China. Its 1189 m elevation is the 9th highest of 60 estates we map in China. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- James Finlay (Guizhou) Tea Co.Ltd. — 90 km away · Guizhou province
- Fengxiangyuan Tea Industry Co., Ltd. — 107 km away · Guizhou Province
- ZTG Jinsha Tea Base — 189 km away · Guizhou Province
- Lichuan Qijing Farm — 214 km away · Hubei Province
- Guzhang Organic Tea Co., Ltd. — 228 km away · Guzhang County
Estates at a Similar Altitude to Shangba Tea Farm
Elevation shapes how slowly leaf matures, so we match Shangba Tea Farm (1,189 m) with estates within 150 m of its height that are not its neighbours. Each is shown with its own 2025 climate. Shangba Tea Farm recorded 1,714 mm in 2025, 31% less than the 2,482 mm average across these estates: at the same height, local weather and exposure matter as much as elevation.
| Estate | Where | Elevation | Rain 2025 | Mean high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maskeliya Plantations, Laxapana | Central Province, Sri Lanka | 1,191 m | 4,839 mm | 22.6 °C |
| Malwatte Valley Plantations, Sarina Group, Neluwa | Uva Province, Sri Lanka | 1,191 m | 2,319 mm | 24.7 °C |
| BUHWEJU | Opposite Redcross Offices, Uganda | 1,196 m | 1,265 mm | 26.4 °C |
| MUGOMA | Kampala, Uganda | 1,174 m | 1,208 mm | 26.8 °C |
| Phuguri Tea Estate | Saurinibasti, India | 1,169 m | 2,778 mm | 21.5 °C |
Shangba Tea Farm Compared with China
In China, Shangba Tea Farm is wetter than 86% of the others by 2025 rainfall; higher than 86% of the others by elevation; the coolest of the 60 estates by daytime temperature. The table sets Shangba Tea Farm against the 59 other estates we map in China, so you can see whether it is typical for its country or an outlier.
| Measure | Shangba Tea Farm | Country median | Country range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,189 m | 137 m | 7 to 2,002 m |
| Annual rainfall (2025) | 1,714 mm | 1,470 mm | 1,030 to 2,779 mm |
| Mean daily high | 18.2 °C | 24.2 °C | 19.4 to 27.6 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 10.6 °C | 14.9 °C | 10.7 to 17.9 °C |
Observed Climate at Shangba Tea Farm (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Shangba Tea Farm’s coordinates recorded 1,714 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was June (314 mm) and the driest was February (33 mm). Daytime highs averaged 18.2 °C and overnight lows 10.6 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and February the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 1,714 mm |
| Wettest month | June (314 mm) |
| Driest month | February (33 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 18.2 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 10.6 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Shangba Tea Farm located?
Shangba Tea Farm is in Zunyi City, China, at coordinates 28.5602, 107.6136, at an elevation of about 1189 metres.
Who operates Shangba Tea Farm?
Shangba Tea Farm is operated by Zhengan Tianci, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Shangba Tea Farm produce?
Shangba Tea Farm is recorded as producing green, oolong and black tea.
What certifications does Shangba Tea Farm hold?
Shangba Tea Farm is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Shangba Tea Farm receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 1,714 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in June (314 mm).
How does Shangba Tea Farm compare with estates at a similar elevation?
Shangba Tea Farm recorded 1,714 mm in 2025, 31% less rain than the 2,482 mm average of estates at a similar elevation.
Data sources: public supply-chain disclosures (Ethical Tea Partnership member lists, Rainforest Alliance certificate holders and retailer supplier disclosures); climate figures are ERA5 reanalysis modelled for the estate’s coordinates via Open-Meteo (calendar year 2025); coordinates and elevations from geocoded records. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
