Wuyi Rock Tea is a kind of Oolong tea. It got its name from the place where it's produced—Wuyi Mountain in Fujian Province. The tea trees usually grow on rock cracks（缝隙）. The traditional home of Rock Tea is only from a small area in the mountain. Wuyi Rock Tea is famous for its rich smell and good flavour. There are different kinds. The best is Dahongpao.
With its long history, Wuyi Rock Tea dates back to the Shang Dynasty. People used to send it to the emperor as a tribute（贡品）. In 2006, the skills of making Wuyi Rock Tea were added to China's national intangible cultural heritage list.
Zhang Huichun, 65, is a master of making Wuyi Rock Tea. In 1980, he learned to make the tea and opened a tea factory. To his surprise, the skills were very complex. After 10 years of learning, he could finally make the tea by himself. Zhang said there were 13 steps to make it, including drying, shaking and roasting （焙火）. The most challenging for him is shaking. It takes strength and patience to shake the tea leaves by holding the round bamboo trays. "You have to decide when the best time is to stop based on the color, " Zhang said. "Sometimes you stop after shaking dozens of （几+） times, while sometimes it can be hundreds of times. Only years of experience can help you figure it out（弄明白）. "
The last step-roasting-is also important. With three stages, it usually takes more than 20 hours!Each stage needs temperatures from 125℃ to 155℃. Tea makers have to keep a close eye on the process. Every 50 minutes, you have to turn over the leaves, or it might burn, " Zhang said.
Zhang is already a master, but he is still learning. "The most fascinating part is that every step is full of changes-different tea trees, weather and temperatures. Every time is an adventure. "
In recent years, Zhang has often worked with schools to train tea makers. "It's my responsibility to pass on the traditional skills, " he said.
