走进红旗茶厂，在一杯英德红茶里遇见春天｜马年新春·来粤叹茶④

Core Viewpoint - The Hongqi Tea Factory, established in 1958, is recognized as the birthplace of Yingde black tea and has transformed from a traditional tea processing facility into a cultural and tourism landmark, attracting significant visitor interest and contributing to the local economy [8][30][35]. Group 1: Historical Significance - The Hongqi Tea Factory is the largest and earliest large-leaf black tea factory in China, producing tea that has been favored by the British royal family [8][9]. - The factory pioneered a standardized process for black tea production in the 1960s, which facilitated its entry into international markets [14][15]. - At its peak, the factory employed over 400 workers and exported between 40,000 to 50,000 dan (approximately 1,333 to 1,667 tons) of tea annually, generating nearly $50 million in foreign exchange [17][18]. Group 2: Technological and Agricultural Innovation - The factory has played a crucial role in the technological advancement and innovation within the tea industry, contributing to the transition from traditional agriculture to modern agricultural practices [27][28]. - It has been involved in training tea-making technicians and participating in the breeding of new tea varieties and process improvements [21][22]. Group 3: Cultural and Tourism Development - The factory has undergone protective development and was recognized as a national industrial heritage site, becoming a model for industrial heritage preservation in Guangdong Province [30][33]. - In 2025, during the "National Day" holiday, the factory received over 60,000 visitors in just eight days, establishing itself as a popular tourist destination in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area [36][37].