Ben Shan is one of the four renowned teas of Anxi, alongside Tie Guan Yin, Huang Jin Gui, and Mao Xie. The cultivar originated in Xiping Town, Anxi County. According to the Anxi Tea Industry Survey written by Zhuang Canzhang in 1937, “This tea variety was discovered 60 years ago (around 1870) by a man named Yuan Xing. Today, the cultivar is referred to as the Yuan Xing variety.” Such Yuan Xing variety is now known as Ben Shan, literally “Local Mountain,” since the tea tree was found on the slopes of a mountain in the local area.
 
Ben Shan is genetically close to Tie Guan Yin. It features an intense aroma and rich taste, and also shares the typical characteristic of enduring multiple infusions like Tie Guan Yin, yet it exhibits stronger growth and greater adaptability. Although its fragrance differs from that of Tie Guan Yin, during the peak popularity of the latter before 2016, much of the fake Tie Guan Yin on the market was actually made from Ben Shan, due to its equally outstanding quality.The new National Standard, set to take effect in September 2025, mandates that Tie Guan Yin tea must be made exclusively from the Tie Guan Yin cultivar, completely putting an end to counterfeiting.
 
This tea is included in the value offers of Southern Fujian Oolong Tasting Set.