The Da Hong Pao Scenic Area (大红袍景区) is a narrow gorge inside the Wuyi core reserve, about 8 km northwest of the main south gate. Its fame rests on one cliff face: 30 metres above a mossy ravine grow the Six Mother Trees of Da Hong Pao (六株母树大红袍) — the original rock-tea bushes from which every Da Hong Pao clone on the planet traces its lineage.
Tea from the Mother Trees has not been commercially picked since 2006, and a 20 g sample once sold at auction for 208,000 CNY — making it, by weight, among the most expensive tea in the world. The trees are now a permanent state-protected "cultural relic."
The trail: a shaded 90-minute loop follows the ravine past the Mother Trees viewpoint, the Tianxin Yongle Temple (1,000+ years old, half-hidden in rock), and several boutique tea-brand gardens. The gorge holds cool air even in summer — good afternoon escape from Wuyishan heat.
Practical: included in the Wuyishan scenic area ticket. Take the internal shuttle from the south gate to Dahongpao stop. Allow 2–2.5 hours with photo stops. Combine with Nine-Bend Stream (raft ends upstream) in a single afternoon.