Exploring Xishuangbanna, Yunnan: A Pu Erh Tea Lover's Paradise

xishuangbanna tea region

Xishuangbanna, located in the southernmost part of Yunnan, is known for its exceptional pu erh tea. The region borders Myanmar and Laos, and is characterised by a tropical and sub-tropical climate with abundant rainfall, providing the perfect environment for ancient tea trees to thrive.

The high-altitude tea-growing areas, ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 meters above sea level, are home to many famous tea mountains, including Nannuo, Bulang, and Pasha.

Let’s explore the famous tea mountains of Xishuangbanna, its unique teas, and ethnic traditions that make this region a tea lover's paradise.

The History of the Six Great Tea Mountains

The history of tea in Xishuangbanna dates back more than a thousand years, with tea cultivation believed to have started during the Tang and Song dynasties. As tea culture continued to flourish, the so called "Six Famous Tea Mountains," located east of the Lancang river, emerged in the Qing Dynasty.

These mountains, which are Yiwu, Yibang, Manzhuan, Mangzhi, Gedeng, and Youle were major tea production centers during the Qing Dynasty, and considered synonymous with high-quality pu erh tea. Known for their ancient tea trees, some over a century old, these mountains produced teas that were sought after both within China and along the trade routes to Tibet and Southeast Asia. Yiwu, in particular, became an important hub for tea merchants, and its teas were exported as far as Tibet and the Chinese imperial courts, through the ancient tea trade routes.

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, however, Xishuangbanna experienced a decline due to wars, natural disasters, and social unrest. As a result, many tea gardens were abandoned. Despite this, the legacy of the old tea mountains remains alive today, and their teas continue to be highly valued among connoisseurs.

Six Famous Mountain Tea Characteristics

  • Yiwu: Yiwu is considered the most prestigious of the tea mountains. Its tea is known for its mild, smooth flavor with a sweet aftertaste, and it played a key role in the Qing Dynasty tea trade, often used as imperial tribute.
  • Manzhuan: Manzhuan produces well-balanced teas with a smooth, slightly bitter taste that transitions to sweetness. It has been an essential part of pu-erh blends for centuries.
  • Yibang: At higher altitudes, Yibang produces smaller leaf teas with a more delicate, floral flavor. Though less well-known, Yibang’s teas are prized for their complexity and aging potential.
  • Mangzhi: Despite being less famous, Mangzhi has a long history in tea cultivation. Mangzhi offers aromatic, smooth teas with balanced bitterness and sweetness, making them ideal for aging.
  • Gedeng: Gedeng produces rich, full-bodied teas with an initial bitterness that turns to sweetness. Its full-bodied flavor will appeal to those who prefer a stronger tea profile.
  • Youle: Grown for centuries by the local Hani people, Youle tea has floral aromas and a balanced flavor. It offers a softer experience compared to more robust teas from other regions.

The 'New' Six Famous Tea Mountains

In the 20th century, as interest in pu erh tea surged, the focus shifted to newer tea-growing regions located west of the Lancang River.

These new Six Great Tea Mountains (Nannuo, Bulang, Jingmai, Menghai, Hekai, Pasha, and Mengsong) developed a reputation for producing bold, flavourful teas, often with a more robust cha qi (tea energy) than those from the original tea mountains.

Although geographically different, many of these areas are also home to ancient tea trees. As the old and new tea mountains complement each other, together they add diversity to the range of pu erh teas the tea community can enjoy.

Nannuo

nannuoshan xishuangbanna

Located in Menghai County, Nannuo Mountain is famous for its extensive ancient tea plantations. Nannuo's tea is highly regarded for its subtle fragrance and sweet mellow taste, often described as having “gentle energy”. The mountain is also home to ethnic minority groups like the Hani and Dai people, who have been cultivating tea for centuries. The ancient tea gardens, some with trees over 800 years old, are still maintained using traditional methods.

Bulang

bulang xishuangbanna

Situated in Bulang Ethnic Township, Bulang Mountain is often considered the birthplace of pu erh tea. The Bulang people, descendants of the ancient “Pu” tribe, are credited with being among the first to cultivate and consume tea. The region is best known for its robust, powerful teas, particularly from villages like Lao Banzhang and Laoman’e. Lao Banzhang, in particular, has earned the reputation of producing the “King of Tea” due to its intense bitterness, strong tea energy, and long-lasting aftertaste.

Hekai

Located near Menghai, Hekai is one of the largest contiguous ancient tea gardens in Xishuangbanna. This area is known for producing teas with a combination of smoothness and strength, offering a more mellow drinking experience compared to Bulang teas. The tea from Hekai has a pleasant bitterness that quickly turns into sweetness, with a pronounced salivating effect.

Pasha

pasha xishuangbanna

Nestled between Nannuo and Bulang, Pasha is home to ancient tea trees, many over 300 years old. Pasha teas are unique because they seem to carry the characteristics of both neighbouring regions: the sweetness of Nannuo and the depth and strength of Bulang. The tea in this region is known for its distinctive, thick leaves covered in white fuzz, and the brew is marked by its rich texture, strong aroma, and quick transition from bitterness to sweetness.

Menghai Mengsong

Mengsong is an area known for its wild ancient tea trees growing at elevations up to 1,800 metres. The tea from Mengsong is characterised by its smooth texture, light bitterness, and fresh, long-lasting sweetness. The ancient tea trees in the area are often found in remote, hard-to-reach places, adding to the mystique and allure of the tea. In this article we discuss the villages of Mengsong.

Ethnic Groups in Xishuangbanna

Tea is deeply rooted in the local culture. Ethnic groups such as the Bulang, Hani, and Dai, have a long history of tea cultivation. For many of these communities, tea is not just an economic crop but also an essential part of their cultural identity. Traditional tea-making practices, including the production of compressed tea cakes and the use of bamboo cylinders to ferment tea, continue to be passed down through generations.

Bulang Tea Culture

The Bulang people are considered the original cultivators of pu erh tea. For them, tea is a way of life. They have been growing and drinking tea for centuries, often using bamboo cylinders to store and ferment the tea. Lao Banzhang, a village on Bulang Mountain, produces some of the strongest, most robust teas, with intense bitterness that transitions into a lingering sweetness.

Dai Bamboo Tea Tradition

The Dai people also make tea by fermenting fresh tea leaves in bamboo tubes. The leaves are compressed and stored inside the bamboo, giving the tea a natural, woody aroma. This method, passed down through generations, produces a soft, fragrant brew that reflects the Dai’s deep connection to their lush, bamboo-filled environment.

Hani’s Tea Rituals

The Hani people, who live primarily in the high-altitude regions of Nannuo and Hekai, are not only known for their tea cultivation practices, but also incorporate tea into their daily rituals and religious ceremonies. During important events, Hani families offer tea as a symbolic gift to the spirits of their ancestors, asking for blessings of health, prosperity and protection.

The Hani also believe that tea grown from ancient trees contains the essence of the earth, embodying both health and spirituality. Some of tea trees are over 800 years old, and the Hani carefully maintain them, passing down traditional farming and brewing methods through generations. The teas produced from these trees are often regarded as some of the finest, with layers of complex flavours.

Final Words

The Xishuangbanna tea region not only offers a rich, diverse range of pu erh teas, but also stands as a testament to centuries of cultural heritage and ecological abundance. From the ancient trees to the traditions of the ethnic groups who have cultivated tea for many generations, this region remains a living legacy of China’s profound tea culture.

The revival of pu erh tea in the late 20th and 21st century has brought renewed interest in Xishuangbanna. Collectors from around China now seek out pu erh from these famous mountains. Tea tourism has flourished as visitors come to experience the lush tea forests, ancient trees, and rich cultural heritage.

We hope that protecting these ancient tea gardens, preserving ethnic culture, and promoting sustainable farming practices will become key in ensuring Xishuangbanna’s tea legacy.

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