The country's famous sorghum-based liquor is one of the most expensive spirits in China. The price of a bottle of the better brands is around $120.
The first bottle to go under the hammer was produced in 1957 and was bought by a local businessman for $184,000. An unnamed Chinese company bought the second 40-year-old bottle for $108,000. And another local company paid $34,000 for the third bottle of liquor, produced in 1997.
The money from the sale will go to charity, the auction house said.
Maotai, which is once the world's three best known liquors, was first produced over 300 years ago and won international recognition after winning a gold medal at the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco.
As history goes the bottles were displayed at the exhibition, but failed to attract any interest among visitors until one of the bottles accidently smashed onto the floor. The spilt liquor released a distinctive odor, which attracted visitors and judges alike, and ever since it has been served at national celebrations and official events, including Richard Nixon's visit to China in 1972.
