Exploring Baoshan, Yunnan: a Promising Pu erh Tea Region
The Baoshan tea region is one of the 4 main Yunnan tea regions besides Simao, Lincang and Xishuangbanna. The region shares borders with Dali, Lincang, Nujiang, and Dehong in the north and Myanmar to the south. This area is home to 13 ethnic groups, including the Yi and Hani, with a population of around 2.4 million. Baoshan is located in the southern part of the Hengduan Mountains, enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate characterised by mild, humid seasons, abundant sunlight, and moderate rainfall. These favourable climatic conditions contribute to the unique flavor profile of Baoshan tea.
Baoshan tea history
Tea cultivation in Baoshan dates back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. During the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties tea trade took off and this region's tea was exported along the ancient Tea Horse Road to neighbouring regions such as Tibet and Nepal.
Today, the region primarily produces Dianhong (Yunnan black tea), Dianlu (Yunnan green tea), and pu erh tea. Baoshan is divided into three tea counties. Tengchong, an important mercantile hub along the ancient “Southwest Silk Road”; Changning, famous for its ancient trees; and Longling, with pollution-free gardens and a wide variety of tea production. In the next sections, we'll discuss each county individually.
Tengchong county
Tengchong is located northwest of Baoshan prefecture city. The ancient tea gardens in Tengchong feature valuable large leaf tea trees. The area is also home to Gaoligong Mountain, a national nature reserve known for its unique topography and rich biodiversity. Gaoligong tea is characterised by robust buds, abundant downy hairs, rich quality, a full-bodied taste, and a strong, long-lasting sweetness.
Local tea traditions
In the local ethnic villages, making tea is a cherished tradition where spring water is boiled and poured over roasted tea leaves in a clay pot, filling the air with a wonderful aroma. Family and friends come together to chat and enjoy these relaxing moments, sipping steaming tea served in ceramic bowls on bamboo tables.
History of Tengchong: Southwest Silk Road
During the Spring and Autumn Period (4th century BC), merchants established a trade route from Chengdu in Sichuan Province through Baoshan and Tengchong, eventually reaching Myanmar and India. This route later became known as the “Southwest Silk Road”. As a crucial stop on this trade route, Tengchong was described by the Ming dynasty geographer Xu Xiake as the “First City at the Edge”. During the Qing dynasty, Tengchong’s caravan teams frequently transported goods, including cotton and jade, from Myanmar. They exported tea, iron pots and silk, establishing it as one of western Yunnan's most significant trading hubs.
Caravan tea
Tengchong’s caravan culture is closely associated with tea. The caravans, often made up of merchants and travellers, would traverse challenging terrains and climates, forming vital trade routes that connected various regions. These journeys were arduous and could last for weeks or even months. In addition to tea, caravans carried various goods, including spices, textiles, and precious stones, facilitating cultural exchanges and influencing local economies.
Caravan leaders transported tea and teapots and made tea an indispensable part of their daily lives. At hostels or resting places, they used to prepare a special drink called “caravan tea”. To make it, they roasted rice and tea together in a pot, then added water and a pinch of salt to create a fragrant and delicious brew. This traditional method contributes to Tengchong’s rich tea culture and the prosperity of caravan life.
Gaoligong mountain
Gaoligong Mountain, located in Tengchong, is a national nature reserve celebrated for its stunning geography and diverse climate. It is often called the "World Species Gene Bank" and the "Museum of Nature." With a maximum elevation of 5,128 meters, the mountain experiences distinct seasonal changes that support a rich variety of plant and animal life.
The area is renowned for its ancient tree, organic, and ecological tea, with plantations situated at elevations between 1,600 and 3,800 meters. The high altitude, significant temperature swings, and volcanic ash soil provide ideal conditions for tea cultivation, resulting in a unique flavor and lasting sweetness.
Changning county
Changning is recognised as China’s only certified “Thousand Year Tea Town” with abundant ancient tea tree resources. The total area of tea plantations in Changning reaches 50,000 acres, with 187,500 tea farmers. The ancient tea tree groves are well preserved, with some trees over a thousand years old. Changning black tea is a local speciality known for its thick and soft leaves, rich in amino acids and caffeine.
Mangshui town
Mangshui Town is famous for its intact ancient tree tea groves. Historical records indicate that large-scale tea cultivation began in Changning during the Hongwu period of the Ming dynasty, gradually developing into one of China’s four major tea production bases and being recognised worldwide as a source of large-leaf tea varieties. The tea trees in Mangshui can grow to a height of 5 to 9 metres and have upright growth with a distinctive trunk. The large, elongated leaves are bright green and glossy with a soft texture. The young buds are yellow-green, robust and covered with downy hair, producing a strong, sweet flavour.
As the pu erh tea market expands, prices from well-known areas such as Laobanzhang, Bingdao and Yiwu have skyrocketed. Many tea lovers are now looking for ancient tea gardens with better value. Mangshui tea has not received much market attention in the past. Still, the first Ancient Tree Tea Exploration event in 2017 sparked interest, with a record auction price of 100,500 Yuan for a year’s cultivation of a tree known as “Lanzhuo Beauty” in Mangshui, signalling a bright future for Mangshui tea. Up to now, more than 80% of the ancient tea trees over 100 years old in Mangshui have been sponsored by tea companies, which has directly led to the town's economic growth. You can try the Oripuerlab Mangshui 645 raw pu erh for a better understanding of this beautiful area's flavours.
Huangjia village in Mangshui town
In Huangjia Village, six ancient tea gardens are scattered over an area of 33 acres at an altitude of about 1,860 metres. Some of these tea trees are believed to be over 1,500 years old, with thousands more around 600 years old and over 1,500 trees at least 50 years old. This truly captures the spirit of a thousand-year-old tea town! The area’s favourable climate and acidic soil create perfect growing conditions for large-leaf tea varieties.
Longling county
Longling County is a vital tea-producing area in Baoshan, with ancient tea trees distributed across all ten townships. A survey conducted in 2014 revealed that the region has a large area of ancient tea trees, many of which have a long lifespan, with the oldest estimated to be over 2,000 years old. Zhendong Village is the most concentrated area of ancient tea trees, with many trees, many of which are over a century old, reflecting the deep tea culture of Longling County. Longling County held the first Tea Fighting Competition and Ancient Tree Tea Harvest Meeting in 2022, which achieved good results while expanding the horizons of local tea companies and promoting Longling tea products and brands.
Longling’s rich variety of teas
Longling County offers a rich variety of teas, with a wide range of speciality products. Among them, the classic products are Longtan Xiangjuan, Moshan Green Tea, Shunguo Green Tea, and Menglong Pu Erh Tea.
In addition, rare white teas and various green teas such as Xianggui Silver Needle, Zijuan and Large-Leaf Biluochun showcase the diversity and high quality of Longling tea. The total area of tea gardens in Longling exceeded 16,500 acres, with tea production continuously increasing, indicating strong market potential. Longling’s tea brands are continually evolving with the development of pollution-free tea gardens.
The potential of the baoshan tea region
Amongst the 4 tea regions of Yunnan Baoshan doesn't enjoy the fame of Xishuangbanna or produce as much tea as Lincang. It's the most remote of all Yunnan tea regions, and harder to access due to poor infrastructure. Yet, the region enjoys exceptional natural diversity, perfect climate conditions, and an abundance of ancient tea tree. Therefore, we believe the region has a bright future ahead.