Bulang Tea Mountain in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna

Chinese Name: 布朗山茶山
English Name: Bulang Tea Mountain in Menghai County, XishuangBanna
ADD:云南西双版纳勐海县布朗山布朗族自治乡 (Yunnan, Xishuangbanna, Menghai County, Bulang Autonomous Township)

Overview

Bulang Mountain, located in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna, near the China-Myanmar border, is one of the famous Six Great Tea Mountains. It is renowned for its well-preserved ancient tea gardens, covering over 1,000 square kilometers. The villages in Bulang Mountain include Banzhang, Laoman'e, and Manxinlong, with Laoman'e being the oldest village, boasting a history of 1,400 years. The Bulang people, descendants of the ancient Baipu ethnic group, are among the earliest to cultivate, produce, and consume tea.

Bulang Mountain Tea Region

The Bulang people, along with the Wa and De'ang ethnic groups, have established villages and coexist in the majestic mountains. Bulang Mountain is a significant area for producing Pu'er tea, with notable villages such as Banzhang, Laoman'e, and Manxinlong. Scholars trace tea cultivation in Bulang Mountain back over 4,000 years, affirming that the first tea leaves consumed by humans were picked by local ancestors. The Bulang people are historically linked to the Baipu ethnic group, who migrated south and established civilizations, contrasting with those who remained in Yunnan.

Ecological Tea Cultivation

Bulang Mountain is characterized by ecological tea cultivation, where tea farmers practice minimal management. Each acre may have over 200 tea plants, while some plots contain only 20 to 30 plants. Farmers weed only once or twice a year and avoid pruning, tilling, or fertilizing, allowing tea trees to grow freely. This method results in tall tea trees with low yields. After liberation, the local government initiated the renovation and development of old and new tea gardens. By 1982, household production and management were implemented, making tea a primary income source for Bulang Mountain farmers.

Bulang Mountain tea is grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides, resulting in a green and healthy ecological tea highly favored by tea enthusiasts nationwide. Many Pu'er tea merchants recognize the region's exceptional natural conditions, producing high-quality Pu'er tea that embodies Bulang Mountain's essence.

Geographical Location of the Tea Region

Bulang Tea Mountain is situated in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna, with elevations exceeding 1,600 meters. It belongs to the South Asian tropical highland monsoon climate zone, characterized by mild winters and no extreme summer heat. The region experiences distinct wet and dry seasons, with abundant rainfall and fertile soil, ideal for tea tree growth. The Bulang people, descendants of the ancient Puo people, are considered the ancestors of tea culture. The southern and western parts of Bulang Mountain border Myanmar, making it the only Bulang ethnic township in China.

Local Cultural History

The Bulang people are the earliest tea cultivators in Yunnan, with a history of nearly a thousand years in Bulang Mountain and tea cultivation. Laoman'e is one of the earliest villages established by the Bulang people. Bulang Mountain is the only Bulang ethnic township in China and one of the oldest ancient tea regions, located on the southern border of Yunnan. It features undulating mountains and intersecting valleys, with a total area of 1,016 square kilometers and a forest coverage rate of 67%. The population of 16,000 includes 11,000 Bulang people, along with Hani, Lahu, and Han ethnic groups.

Tea Plantation Area

Bulang Mountain is the only Bulang ethnic township in the country, bordering Myanmar to the southwest. The total cultivated land area is 54,522 mu (about 3,635 hectares), consisting of seven village committees and 48 village groups. The primary economic crops are grains, tea, and sugarcane, with tea cultivation covering an area of 15,289 mu (approximately 1,019 hectares) and a total yield of 226 tons.

Laoman'e Bulang Village has an ancient tea garden area of 3,205 mu, scattered among the surrounding forests at an elevation of around 1,300 meters. The ancient tea gardens in Banzhang and Xinbanzhang villages are the largest and best-preserved ancient tea gardens in Bulang Mountain. Currently, they cover 5,870 mu (including 4,490 mu in Laobanzhang and 1,380 mu in Xinbanzhang), with tea trees over 200 years old.

Tea Tree Varieties

The tea trees in Bulang Mountain are primarily classified into two categories: Pu'er tea and bitter tea varieties. The Pu'er tea trees are typically tall shrubs or small trees, reaching around 1 meter in height. The leaves are elliptical or elongated, with deep green or yellow-green coloration.

The bitter tea variety features taller trees, reaching heights of 5-6 meters, with a maximum circumference of 1.76 meters. Its leaves are deep green with a glossy surface and strong curvature.

The ancient tea gardens are mainly distributed across the villages of Banzhang, Man'ang, and Jiliang, located at elevations of 1,300 to 1,900 meters, containing both Pu'er tea and bitter tea varieties.

Notable Villages

• Laobanzhang Hani Village: 113 households, ancient tea garden area of 4,490 mu, new tea garden of 720 mu.
• Xinbanzhang Hani Village: 79 households, ancient tea garden area of 1,380 mu, new tea garden of 320 mu.
• Laoman'e Bulang Village: 128 households, ancient tea garden area of 3,205 mu, new tea garden of 852 mu.
• Man'nuo Bulang Village: 112 households, ancient tea garden area of 60 mu, new tea garden of 347 mu.

Conclusion

Bulang Mountain is a significant cultural and ecological hub for tea cultivation, offering rich history and diverse tea varieties. The region's unique characteristics and the dedication of the Bulang people contribute to the high quality of Bulang Mountain's Pu'er tea, making it a cherished destination for tea enthusiasts.