
Yunchayuan Tea Plantation Scenic Area in Menghai County, XishuangBanna
Yunchayuan Tea Garden (云茶源茶园) is part of the Daduogang Tea Estate (大渡岗茶场) located in Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Yunnan Province (云南省), China. It is renowned for producing high-quality teas and offering a picturesque natural setting.
Historical and Scientific Significance
Ancient Flora
Research indicates that ancient plant species such as kapok trees and sky trees in Xishuangbanna (西双版纳) suggest the region was largely unaffected by the glacial periods of the Quaternary. This stability provided an ideal environment for tea trees to thrive.
Discovery of Ancient Tea Trees
In the 1950s, researchers discovered ancient tea trees in Nannuo Mountain (南糯山) of Menghai County (勐海县), aged over 800 years. Later, wild tea trees over 1,700 years old were found on Dake Mountain (大棵山) in Bada (巴达), affirming Xishuangbanna’s role as a primary tea origin.
Academic Research
Professor Zhang Hongda (张宏达) from Sun Yat-sen University (中山大学) confirmed the global significance of Xishuangbanna’s large-leaf tea (Pu’er tea) by reclassifying the “Assam variety” from India as a type of Pu’er tea. This research solidified the region’s historical importance.
Cultural Recognition
Zhao Puchu (赵朴初), Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (全国政协副主席), highlighted the cultural importance of Xishuangbanna in Pu’er tea history through his poetry and inscriptions.
Historical Documentation
Qing Dynasty (清代) records mention the Six Famous Tea Mountains of Pu’er (普洱六大茶山), all located in what is now Xishuangbanna, further validating the traditional origins of Pu’er tea.
Key Features
- Premium Tea Production – Specializes in cultivating and processing premium Yunnan teas, celebrated for their distinctive flavors and quality.
- Scenic Beauty – Surrounded by the lush, tropical landscapes of Xishuangbanna, offering visitors tranquil and scenic views.
- Cultural Significance – As part of the historic Daduogang Tea Estate, it preserves traditional tea-growing practices and contributes to Yunnan’s rich tea heritage.
Visitor Information
- Location – Daduogang (大渡岗), Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Yunnan Province (云南省), China.
- Activities – Visitors can tour the tea gardens, learn about tea cultivation and processing, and enjoy the region’s natural beauty.