Gongcheng Youcha Oil Tea Culture in Guilin: Cultural Heritage of Yao Ethnic Group of Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This article explores Gongcheng Youcha (恭城油茶), a traditional oil tea unique to the Yao ethnic group in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. The study employs a document-based research approach through the analysis of academic literature, books, scholarly articles, and relevant government reports. A review of existing studies reveals that prior research has predominantly focused on local cuisine or cultural tourism in isolated contexts, while comprehensive analyses of Youcha as an integrated form of cultural heritage encompassing historical, social, cultural, and health dimensions remain limited.
The results of the analysis showed that Youcha holds significant value across multiple dimensions. It functions as a symbol of hospitality in Yao households, reflects the close relationship between humans and nature, and is regarded for its medicinal properties as a traditional herbal beverage. The original Youcha recipe incorporates local ingredients such as tea leaves, ginger, and garlic, which align with traditional Chinese medicine principles for maintaining bodily balance. Furthermore, the practice of consuming Youcha embodies the Yao philosophy of resilience and harmonious coexistence with nature.
This article concludes that Youcha is not merely a form of nourishment, but a cultural medium through which ethnic identity is expressed and sustained, while also possessing potential for contemporary economic development. Understanding these multifaceted roles is essential for formulating effective cultural preservation strategies that respond to modern societal contexts. Accordingly, the study recommends promoting and safeguarding Youcha cultural heritage through state mechanisms, mass media, and sustainable cultural tourism initiatives that align with broader heritage conservation and community development goals.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
1. All articles undergo a thorough with at least three reviewers evaluating their suitability within the respective field of study, during the double-blind review.
2. The views expressed by individual authors do not represent the official views of the Editorial Boards of RMUJ: The author of each articie is responsible for all its contents.
3. The Editorial Boards do not reserve the copyrights. but proper citations need to be made.
References
Benn, J. A. (2015). Tea in China: A religious and cultural history. University of Hawaii Press.
Cai, J., Liu, S., Li, Y., Liu, Q., Xu, M., Mo, C., Mai, T., Xu, X., Tang, X., Chen, Q., Nong, C., Lu, H., He, H., Tang, J., Zhang, J., Wei, C., Tan, D., Qin, J., & Zhang, Z. (2021). Effects of oil tea on obesity and dyslipidemia: A cross-sectional study in China. Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy, 14, 3173–3185. https://doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S312280
Chen, L., et al. (2023). Social functions of Yao ethnic tea culture. Journal of Ethnic Relations, 15(2), 45–67.
Chen, X. (2020). Health promotion function of Gongcheng Youcha and its modern value. Journal of Ethnic Medicine, 12(3), 25–28.
Chen, X., & Wang, Y. (2022). Nutrient extraction in oil tea processing. Journal of Food Science and Technology.
China Daily HK. (2024, August 23). Brewing up a flavorsome tale: Gongcheng oil tea depends on tradition and technique to produce a tasty and aromatic treat. China Daily Global Edition. https://www.chinadailyhk.com/hk/article/591335
China Highlights. (2024). Guilin Youcha (oil tea). https://www.chinahighlights.com/guilin/food/oil-tea.htm
Guangxi China Daily. (2023, December 25). Guilin succeeds in ecological governance, civilized tourism. https://govt.chinadaily.com.cn/s/202312/25/WS66b18e4d498ed2d7b7eb5f58/guilin-succeeds-in-ecological-governance-civilized-tourism.html
Guangxi China Daily. (2024, August 21). Oil tea: A popular breakfast of the Yao people in Gongcheng. https://guangxi.chinadaily.com.cn/guilin/2024-08/21/c_1014620.htm
Guangxi Ethnic Affairs Commission. (2019). Yao ethnic folklore and legends. Guangxi People’s Publishing House.
Guangxi Ethnic Affairs Commission. (2021). Yao ethnic rituals and customs. Guangxi People’s Publishing House.
Guangxi Institute of Traditional Medicine. (2020). Medicinal components of Yao ethnic oil tea. Guangxi Science Press.
Guangxi Tourism Bureau. (2022). Cultural tourism development report. Official Publication.
Guangxi Tourism Bureau. (2023). Annual report on cultural tourism development in Guangxi. Guangxi People’s Press.
Gupta, V. K., & Kumar, A. (2021). Therapeutic uses of ginger and garlic: A review. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 10(2), 400–405.
Huang, Y. (2019). Ethnic tea culture in southern China. Yunnan Ethnic Publishing House.
KPL News. (2024, May 5). Gongcheng oil tea: Cultural heritage and health benefits. https://kpl.gov.la/en/detail.aspx?id=87280
Li, S. Z. (2021). The grand compendium of materia medica (本草纲目) (H. Chenglong, Ed.; originally published 1596). Traditional Chinese Medicine Press.
Li, W. (2020). Historical narratives of Chinese ethnic cuisine. Journal of Asian Food Studies, 5(2), 112–128.
Li, W., et al. (2021). Ecological adaptation of Yao ethnic group. Mountain Research, 39(3), 112–125.
Li, X., Wang, Y., Zhang, Q., & Liu, Z. (2021). Traditional processing techniques of Gongcheng oil tea. Food Chemistry, 350, 129215.
Liang, W., & Chen, X. (2021). The historical development of Yao ethnic tea culture. Journal of Ethnic Foods, 8(2), 112–125.
Liu, H., Yin, P., Qi, J., & Zhou, M. (2024). Burden of non-communicable diseases in China and its provinces, 1990–2021: Results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Chinese Medical Journal, 137(19), 2325–2333. https://doi.org/10.1097/CM9.0000000000003270
Lu, Y. (2019). A comprehensive history of Chinese tea culture. China Social Sciences Press.
Trip.com. (2025). Guilin independent travel guide (2025): Top things to do, including local specialties like Gongcheng oil tea. https://my.trip.com/travel-guide/destination/guilin-28
Wang, H. (2019). Traditional wisdom in ethnic cuisine. Ethnic Publishing House.
Wang, H., & Li, X. (2023). Urban adaptation of traditional ethnic food culture. Social Sciences Academic Press.
Wang, L. (2018). The evolution of tea drinking customs in Chinese history. Fudan University Press.
Wang, L., Zhang, Q., & Li, H. (2020). Traditional processing techniques of Gongcheng oil tea. Food Science and Technology, 45(3), 78–92.
Wang, Y., & Ho, C. T. (2009). Polyphenolic chemistry of tea and coffee: A century of progress. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 57(18), 8109–8114. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf900717p
Wu, Y. (2024). Tea oil and their role in human health: A meta-analysis. Biological Evidence, 14. https://doi.org/10.5376/be.2024.14.0026
Yang, F. (2024). Gongcheng oil tea depends on tradition and technique to produce a tasty and aromatic treat. China Daily. https://www.chinadailyhk.com/hk/article/591335
Yao, X., & Liang, M. (2021). Proverbs and life philosophy of Yao people. Folklore Studies, 28(4), 78–92.
Zhang, M., & Chen, X. (2020). Regional variations of tea culture in China. Food Culture Studies, 12(3), 112–130.
Zhang, M. (2022). Cultural significance of ethnic tea drinking practices in Guangxi. China Social Sciences Press.
Zhang, Y. (2021). Mythology and food culture of Yao people. Ethnic Culture Press.
Zhang, Y. (2022). The sociology of tea drinking in Guangxi. Yunnan University Press.
Zhang, Y., & Chen, Q. (2022). Man–nature harmony in ethnic food culture. Journal of Cultural Anthropology, 17(1), 33–48.
Zhao, L., & Zhang, S. (2017). Pharmacological effects of tea polyphenols. Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines, 15(4), 241–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1875-5364(17)30033-1
