Keemun is produced in the Qimen County of Huangshan Shi, in Anhui (Anhwei) province. ("Keemun" was actually the English spelling for "Qimen" during the colonial era.)

Keemun has a relatively short history. It was first produced in 1875 by a failed civil servant, Yu Quianchen, after he traveled to Fujian province to learn the secrets of black tea production. Prior to that, only green tea was made in Anhui.