High-Mountain Tea in Alishan: Envisioning a Cultural Economy for a Sustainable Future

Written by Hong Jiang. Taiwan’s renowned Alishan high-mountain tea sector faces critical environmental and market challenges after nearly five decades of growth. This article explores how local farmers are actively cultivating a sustainable future. By embracing nature-based farming, prioritizing quality over quantity, and integrating tea art with tourism, these producers are building a vibrant “cultural economy” of nature, culture, and care to safeguard their livelihoods and heritage.