The King of Trees
A regal tree that has remained rooted to the Earth for over half a millennium stands in the heart of Laobanzhang (老班章) district along the Bulang Mountains in Yunnan. In the wake of increasing tourism and a resulting decline in the overall environment, this Emperor has lost some of its former luster and productivity. Nonetheless, prices for Spring tea made from its leaves went for RMB170,000/kg or USD26,150/kg, assuming a forex rate of 1:6.5. So, less expensive than the famed Da Hong Pao* and panda dung tea but more expensive than aged Wuyi oolongs.
The market price for spring tea coming from the general Laobanzhang area sold for RMB18,000-20,000/kg (USD2760-3070/kg). Ten years ago, it fetched RMB80-105/kg (USD12-16/kg), but I'm not convinced that prices will drop in the future in part due to China's oft-cited middle class expansion and the tendency of those at the top of the economic pyramid to aggressively seek and possess expensive goods of cultural relevance. Naturally, a few kilos of Laobanzhang tea doesn't make one cultured, but it brings already inflated egos deep satisfaction.
Mind you, just because you're paying that exorbitant price does not mean you are getting true Laobanzhang. Authenticity is a major concern. Unless, you yourself are on the mountain overseeing the entire process from picking to packaging, there is no guarantee... simply too much money to be made with the mere presence of those three characters.
*legit Da Hong Pao comes from but six trees, producing just 8 liang (300g) per annum. When Nixon visited China in 1972 and was received by then Premier of the PRC, Zhou Enlai (周恩来), he was gifted 4 liang. I will let you do the math of the probability of us ordinary mortals getting our hands on true Da Hong Pao. And FYI, in 2005 the trees weren't even able to be harvested due to a decline in health of the trees.