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Tea-oil camellia industry booms in Lishui's Qingtian

chinadaily.com.cn| Updated : Aug 12, 2025 L M S

In Zhangcun township, located in Qingtian county in Lishui, East China's Zhejiang province, villagers are busy these days tending to the tea-oil camellia crops, anticipating a bountiful harvest.

Qingtian county boasts 204.47 square kilometers of tea-oil camellia forests — the largest in the province — earning it the nickname of the "Oil Reservoir of Southern Zhejiang".

Recent revitalization efforts have transformed Qingtian's tea-oil camellia industry — driven by policy support, technological advancements, and the integration of culture and tourism.

In Jizhai township, a new monorail system efficiently transports tea-oil camellia fruit down the mountains, reducing costs and labor.

Apart from promoting mechanized farming, Qingtian has collaborated with the Zhejiang Academy of Forestry, leading to high-yield tea-oil camellia varieties.

Additionally, the county introduced the province's first "tea-oil camellia low-temperature weather index insurance" — covering nearly 60 sq km, providing significant security to growers.

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Exquisite handmade soaps infused with tea-oil camellia seed oil go on display. [Photo/Tide News]

At Xinglin Yinong Supply and Marketing Company, tea-oil camellia fruit is processed into golden camellia oil. Partnering with Shanghai Railways, they offer a popular high-speed rail-exclusive camellia oil.

The Qingtian Zhizao handmade soap series, infused with tea-oil camellia seed oil, also enjoys strong sales, featuring attractive packaging that highlights the artistry of Qingtian's stone carving.

Qingtian has established a 5,000-square-meter shared processing facility, promoting local employment.

Meanwhile, Xiaozhoushan township's tea-oil camellia tourism park attracts visitors to experience traditional oil pressing and gain insight into the tea-oil industry, blending scenic beauty with cultural immersion.