Taiping Houkui (literally: 'peaceful monkey leader'), one of the Top Ten Teas in China, also a historically reputed tea since Qing Dynasty, is grown at the Hou-keng areas at Huang-shan City of Anhui Province. It won the "King of Tea" award at China Tea Exhibition 2004 and is sometimes listed as a China famous tea.

The Taiping Houkui is renowned for its "two knives and one pole": two straight leaves clasping the enormous bud with white hairs. The oven-made leaves are deep green in color with red veins underneath. The tea shoots can be as long as 15 centimetres (5.9 in) and are plucked from the Shi Da Cha, a large-leaf variety found only in Anhui Province. And surprisingly its size does not affect its delicate orchid fragrance with a mellow taste which lasts up to four brewing. In a glass, the leaf gracefully sways in the water which is described as the “Phoenix dances”.

Unlike most the green teas, Taiping Houkui does not undergo any rolling process. It is dried at once using a series of bamboo baskets heated at various temperatures. Inactivation of enzyme as well as enhancement of flavor takes place during these unique processes. Eventually, Taiping Houkui preserves its most natural shape, and the end product presents an exclusive characteristics. It has been used as one of the gift teas for diplomatic mission in China.

When brewed, Taiping Houkui’s infusion shows good clarity with a brilliant green color. The tea’s gentle floral aroma persists over multiple infusions. The taste is fresh with distinctive with notes of toasted bamboo leaf. A fascinating tea to look at as well as drink.