Qianlong and Longjing: Two Legends of Imperial Tea

His birth name was Hongli. Qianlong is the motto of his reign, meaning "steadfast and glorious." He ruled from 1735 to 1796. This is one of the longest periods of rule in Chinese history. His main achievements are considered to be:

• Expansion of the Empire: Under Qianlong, the Qing Empire reached its greatest territorial extent, conquering Dzungaria, Xinjiang, and other regions.
• Economic growth: The period of his reign was characterized by economic prosperity, development of trade and crafts.
• Cultural Flourishing: Qianlong was a patron of the arts and sciences. Painting, calligraphy, literature and theatre flourished at his court.
• Construction: Many palaces, pagodas and other architectural structures were built that have survived to this day.

Qianlong was an educated and talented man. He wrote poetry, did calligraphy and painting. However, like many rulers of the time, he was known for his authoritarian style of rule.

Why Qianlong is so important:

• Long and stable reign: His 61-year reign brought China a long period of peace and prosperity.
• Cultural Heritage: Many of the cultural achievements of the Qing Dynasty are associated with the name of Qianlong.
• Impact on Chinese history: His reign became one of the key periods in Chinese history, determining the further development of the country.

• Qianlong was not only an emperor, but also a talented poet and calligrapher.
• He was a great lover of art and amassed a huge collection of works of art, which became the basis for the Beijing Palace Museum.
• Qianlong loved to travel around his empire and often inspected various regions.

Some of the most famous stories in the world of Chinese tea, these legends are closely tied to the history of the Qing Dynasty and shed light on why Longjing tea is considered one of the most revered teas in China.

The Legend of the Meeting with the Emperor

According to the first legend, during one of his travels through the southern provinces of China, Emperor Qianlong visited the region of Lake Xihu. Local residents, wanting to please the emperor, offered him to try the local Longjing tea. The emperor was so impressed by its taste and aroma that he ordered this tea to be included in the list of imperial gifts, and the tea plantations located around Lake Xihu were declared imperial. This meant that tea from these plantations was intended exclusively for the imperial court. This status significantly increased the prestige of Longjing tea and contributed to its wide popularity.

The Legend of the Emperor's Mother

According to the second legend, when Emperor Qianlong was on an inspection tour of southern China, he arrived in Hangzhou and visited Mount Shifeng, where Longjing tea was grown. Wanting to show concern for his subjects, he decided to pick some tea leaves himself. But suddenly a messenger arrived with bad news: the empress had fallen ill. The emperor hurried back to the palace, throwing the tea leaves he had picked into his bag.

It turned out that the empress had simply overeaten delicious food, which had caused her headache and swollen eyes. When she saw her son, she smelled a delicate aroma and asked what he had brought. The emperor was surprised, because he had not brought anything special. Feeling the bag, he found dried tea leaves from Hangzhou. The empress tried the tea, and to her surprise, her discomfort immediately passed. She was so delighted with Longjing tea that she ordered that the tea bushes on Mount Shifeng be declared imperial and that a new harvest be sent to the palace every year. To this day, these very same tea bushes have been preserved in the village of Longjing.

The Legends of Emperor Qianlong and Longjing Tea plays an important role in the history of Chinese tea for several reasons:

• Raising the prestige of tea: Thanks to this legend, Longjing tea became a symbol of luxury and high status.
• Development of tea culture: The legend contributed to the development of tea culture in China and the popularization of tea drinking among the nobility.
• Tourist attraction: The place where, according to legend, the emperor met Longjing tea has become a popular tourist spot.

Emperor Qianlong was an outstanding figure in Chinese history. His reign left a deep mark on the country's culture, economy, and politics. Studying his life and work helps us better understand China's history and its rich traditions.