Exploring Simao/Puer Tea Region, Yunnan: The Origin of Pu Erh Tea Trade

simao puer tea region

Simao (思茅) is one of Yunnan's main tea production regions and holds a prominent place in the history of tea. Today, it remains an important centre of tea cultivation and culture. This area includes some of the world’s most reputable tea mountains, such as Jingmai, Kunlu, and Bada. Each mountain has its unique natural environment, which produces some of the most sought after ancient tree (gushu) tea in the world.

Moreover, Simao also played an important historical role in tea trade. Along the 'Ancient Tea-Horse Road,' pu erh tea was transported from Simao to different regions in China as well as Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, India and other asian countries. In 2007, the city of Simao was renamed Puer to honour the historical significance of the region. As a result Simao tea region is now also called Puer tea region.

Geography of Simao/Puer Tea Region

The Simao tea region is located in the southern part of Puer City, surrounded by mountains on the upper course of Lancang River. With Wuliang Mountain to the east and Ailao Mountain to the west, the region offers a natural environment that is perfect for tea cultivation. Tea plantations here are mostly found at altitudes between 1,000 and 2,200 metres, covered in fog. The average annual temperature ranges from 18 to 22°C, and the abundant rainfall in the subtropical monsoon climate creates optimal conditions for tea growth.

The rugged terrain of the area results in large temperature differences between day and night. During the day, the tea leaves absorb plenty of sunlight, while the sharp drop in temperature at night helps to preserve the rich aromatic compounds and internal substances. In addition, with 70% forest coverage, the tea trees grow freely in a largely untouched natural environment. This unique ecology gives Simao tea its distinctive natural character.

History of Simao Tea Region

Tea culture of Simao region can be traced back over a thousand years. In the Tang (618–907 AD) and Song (960 to 1279 AD) dynasties, tea from Yunnan was already well known. In the Ming (1368 to 1644) and Qing (1644 to 1912) dynasties, pu erh tea was offered as tribute tea to the imperial court, before it became famous nationwide. One of the key factors in the spreading of tea was the Tea-Horse Road.

The Tea-Horse Road

tea horse road

The Tea-Horse Road was a trade route formed during the Tang Dynasty to enable trade between regions in China and bordering Asian countries. Though the term indicates a single route, it actually refers to a network of routes, along which tea and other goods were transported.

The Tea-Horse Road was not only vital for trade but also served as a bridge for cultural exchange between different ethnic groups.

Tea was also important from a nutrition perspective. For instance, due to Tibet’s cold climate and limited food supply, the local diet was mainly diary and meat based. As a result, tea became an essential source of vitamins for the Tibetan people.

Tea was mainly transported by horse caravans along a treacherous network of routes. As a starting point and important stop on the trade route, Simao has long been a commercial hub for pu erh tea. The Tea-Horse Road continued to flourished until the 20th century and started to become less relevant as other transportation methods were invented.

For more information about the history of the Tea-Horse road, you may watch this documentary series.

Simao Tea Mountains

Pu erh tea from the Simao region is famous for its distinctive ‘mountain character’ (shan tou yun/山头韵), a term that refers to the unique flavour and aroma that come from the specific geographical and climatic conditions of the mountain where the tea is grown. Each mountain has its own terroir and produces tea with its own characteristics. The most famous tea mountains in Simao are Jingmai Mountain, Kunlu Mountain and Bada Mountain.

Jingmai Mountain

jingmai tea region

Jingmai (景迈) Mountain is located in the southern part of Simao region, on the border of Xishuangbanna, Pu’er and Myanmar. It is renowned for its ancient tree Pu erh tea. If you're interested in trying tea from this region, you may consider our Jingmai tea balls, this Xiaguan tuocha, or Oripuerlab tea cake

There are 14 traditional villages under the administration of Jingmai Village and Mangjing Village.

  • Jingmai Villages: Jingmai Dazhai, Nuogang, Bangai, Mengben, Manggen, Laojiufang, Nanzuo, and Longbang
  • Mangjing Villages: Wengji, Wengwa, Mangjing Upper Village, Mangjing Lower Village, Manghong, and Nanai.

Together, they form the 4,600-acre ancient tea forest of Jingmai Mountain. The fresh tea leaves from these villages are sold under the name of “Jingmai Mountain Pu erh Tea”. In 2023, the “Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Pu'er” gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status, marking China’s 57th World Heritage site.

Jingmai Mountain’s tea heritage has deep cultural roots. The local Bulang people regard the tea trees as part of their lives, as reflected in the words of their tea ancestor, Pa Ai Leng, who said: “I could leave you cattle and horses, but they might fall ill; I could leave you gold and silver, but you might spend it all; instead, I leave you these tea trees, which will provide for generations to come.” Many of the ancient tea trees on the mountain are hundreds to over a thousand years old, producing pu erh tea with a unique orchid fragrance, sweet and smooth flavour, and a long-lasting aftertaste.

Traditional farming methods are still practiced, allowing tea trees to coexist harmoniously with other plants in a pristine ecological environment, making each cup of Jingmai Mountain tea a true essence of nature.

Bada Mountain

Bada Mountain is a hidden gem in the west of Simao. It has numerous villages known for producing top-tier Pu erh tea. Among these, Zhanglang, Mengmai, and Hesong stand out, each village has its own story to tell.

Zhanglang Village

Zhanglang Village, with its 244 households, is the largest Bulang village in the region, and a time capsule of Bulang history and culture. Hidden away in the mountains, Zhanglang has preserved the traditional architecture, language, dress and customs of the Bulang people for over 1,400 years. A beautiful Burmese-style temple welcomes visitors at the village entrance, while the Bulang Ecological Museum, established in 2004, serves as a cultural hub showcasing the Bulang heritage and the village’s rich history.

zhanglang tea trees

Zhanglang is also famous for its ancient tea trees, some over 500 years old, which grow high on Bada Mountain at 1,600 metres above sea level. The misty forests surrounding the village provide the perfect environment for the cultivation of ancient tree tea, known for its strong yet balanced flavour - a beautiful blend of bitterness and sweetness that reflects the essence of the mountain. The Bulang people, descendants of the Pu, have cultivated these trees for centuries, incorporating tea into their rituals and daily lives, especially at weddings and funerals, where tea strengthens social bonds.

Every April, Bulang women climb the ancient tea trees to pick the first leaves of the season. These dark green leaves carry scents of orchids, honey, wild flowers and the fresh mountain air. The Bulang people’s deep connection to the land, combined with their centuries-old tea expertise, has made Zhanglang a centre for exceptional tea production.

Bamboo tube tea

Bamboo tube tea

Guests in Zhanglang are often treated to bamboo tube tea with honey - a traditional and unforgettable drink. Using freshly cut bamboo as a teapot, the Bulang hosts mix roasted tea leaves with boiling water, then serve the tea in bamboo cups with honey. The result? A blend of rich tea flavour, the sweetness of honey and the purity of mountain water, creating a taste that lingers long after the last sip.

During the hot and humid months of May and June, to prevent internal dampness, Bulang people boil fresh tea leaves and leave them to ferment in a cool place. Once the tea has turned sour, it is packed into bamboo tubes and buried in the ground for a while. The locals are in the habit of chewing this sour tea, which is said to quench thirst and aid digestion.

Manmai Village

Situated at an altitude of 1,560 metres in the Bada Mountains, Manmai Village is known for its well-preserved old tea gardens that stretch across the surrounding hills. The village is mainly inhabited by the Bulang people and is surrounded by lush forests where ancient tea trees grow in harmony with the environment. The natural environment of Manmai, with its pristine ecological conditions and the symbiotic relationship between forest and tea gardens, contributes to the village’s reputation for producing high quality Pu erh tea. The tea trees, mostly of the large leaf variety, grow tall in a largely untouched environment, with some reaching over two metres in height.

Manmai tea is characterised by its fine, dense strands and unique flavour profile. When brewed, the tea offers a striking balance between bitterness and sweetness, with a mild astringency and a sweet aftertaste that gradually unfolds with each sip. One of the most distinctive features of Manmai tea is its “rice soup” aroma, combined with its bittersweet flavour, makes it highly recognisable. The tea liquor is bright and golden, and its layered complexity deepens with each infusion, offering a smooth, lingering sweetness after the initial bitterness fades. This ability of Manmai tea to evolve from bitter to sweet is a defining characteristic that captivates tea lovers and collectors alike, making it one of the most sought after teas in the Bada Mountain region.

Hesong Village

Hesong Village is a remote and largely Hani ethnic village situated at an altitude of 1,600 metres with a population of around 855 people. The village became famous in 1961 when a wild tea tree, over 30 metres tall and around 1,800 years old, was discovered around here.

Known as the “King of Ancient Tea Trees”, this discovery not only transformed Hesong Village, but also confirmed China as the birthplace of tea, ending debates about tea’s origins. The ancient king of tea is surrounded by over 100,000 other wild tea trees, making Hesong a sanctuary for ancient Pu erh tea. The finding of these trees has made Hesong and Bada Mountain a treasured destination in the tea world.

Kunlu Mountain

kunlu mountain yunnan pu erh tea region

Kunlu Mountain is located in the western part of Simao, known for its higher altitude, steep terrain, and overlapping mountains. The mountain's cool, misty climate and rich biodiversity create ideal conditions for producing high-quality Pu erh tea. Kunlu Mountain ancient tea gardens have two main features. First, they blend in with the surrounding villages, creating a picture where tea trees grow alongside the village and the village sits within the tea gardens - people and nature live in harmony. Second, the cultivated ancient tea gardens are connected to wild ancient tea plantations.

kunlu mountain village

Kunlu Mountain Pu erh is characterised by its strong tea energy which gives drinkers an invigorating and uplifting feeling. The tea is thick and smooth, with a satisfying mouthfeel. Kunlu’s tea has a noticeable bitterness that quickly transforms into a sweet aftertaste, with rich layers and a long finish, offering a taste that feels robust yet grounded in nature. Nurtured by the alternation of sunlight and mist, the tea trees here absorb the essence of nature, resulting in a flavour that captures the power and purity of the natural world. This deep, multi-layered experience makes Kunlu Mountain tea the finest Pu erh tea.

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