Jingmai Village of Huimin Hani Ethnic Town in Lancang County, Puer

Jingmai Mountain (景迈山) is located in the southwestern part of Yunnan Province (云南省), within the boundaries of Lancang Lahu Autonomous County (澜沧拉祜族自治县), specifically in Huimin Township (惠民乡). The mountain lies at the intersection of Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Puer (普洱), and Myanmar, making it a historically and geographically significant area. To the east, it borders Xishuangbanna’s Menghai County (勐海县), and to the west, it adjoins Myanmar.

Jingmai Mountain is famed for its tea culture, particularly for producing high-quality Puer tea. The region is home to 14 traditional villages, which are divided into two administrative villages: Jingmai Village (景迈村) and Mangjing Village (芒景村). Jingmai Village contains several traditional settlements, including Jingmai Dazhai (景迈大寨), Nuogang (糯岗), Banga (班改), Mengben (勐本), Mangeng (芒埂), Laojiufang (老酒房), Nanzuo (南座), and Longbang (笼蚌). Mangjing Village consists of traditional villages like Wengji (翁基), Wengwa (翁洼), Mangjing Shangzai (芒景上寨), Mangjing Xiazai (芒景下寨), Manghong (芒洪), and Nanai (那乃). These 14 villages together form the Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Garden, which spans 28,000 acres. The tea leaves from these villages are collectively marketed under the name "Jingmai Mountain Puer Tea" (景迈山普洱茶).

In September 2023, Jingmai Mountain’s Ancient Tea Forest Cultural Landscape (景迈山古茶林文化景观) was officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, becoming China’s 57th World Heritage listing.

Key Information:

Location: Huimin Township (惠民乡), Lancang County (澜沧县), Puer (普洱市), Yunnan (云南省)

Altitude: 1,255 meters

Annual Temperature: 18.4°C

Annual Rainfall: 1,201.9 mm

Area: 0.81 km²

Population: 3,092 residents

Main Ethnic Groups: Dai (傣族), Blang (布朗族)

Village Overview

Jingmai Village (景迈村) is situated in a subtropical climate zone, with its fertile lands suitable for growing rice, sugarcane, and tea. The village’s total land area is 0.81 square kilometers, with a population of 3,092 people. As part of the Jingmai Mountain (景迈山) UNESCO World Heritage site, the village contains more than 4,000 acres of ancient tea forests and traditional wooden houses built in the "long-hut" style (干栏式民居).

The village has a rich tea culture and is famous for its ancient tea trees, some of which are over 1,000 years old. It is also recognized as a model for the preservation of both natural and cultural heritage, earning accolades for its eco-tourism efforts and community-based development.

Natural Resources and Agricultural Economy

Jingmai Village (景迈村) is a primarily agricultural community, with the main crops being rice, sugarcane, and, most notably, tea. In 2009, the village’s total agricultural revenue amounted to 3.24 million yuan, with the largest share coming from agriculture (59.25%), followed by livestock farming (17.9%) and fishery (3.7%).

The village has a well-developed irrigation system, covering over 2,200 acres of farmland. The local tea plantations, along with livestock and fishing activities, are key contributors to the region’s economy.

?️ Overview & Setting

Administrative Status:
Jingmai Village falls under Huimin Township, Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, in Pu'er City, Yunnan Province. It encompasses 8 traditional hamlets, including Manggen, Mengben, Bangai, and Nanzuo.

Geographic Coordinates:
? Latitude: 22.2°N | Longitude: 100.0°E
Situated at the heart of Jingmai Mountain, elevation ranges between 1,120–1,500 meters. The area covers 66.88 km², enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate, with an annual average temperature of 19.4°C and 1,800 mm of rainfall.

Population & Ethnic Composition:
Home to 6,495 residents, predominantly of the Dai and Blang (Bulang) ethnic groups, alongside Hani, Wa, and others, Jingmai is a vibrant mosaic of multi-ethnic coexistence.

?️ Cultural & Natural Significance

? World Heritage Recognition

In September 2023, the Cultural Landscape of Ancient Tea Forests of Jingmai Mountain was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List—the world’s first tea-themed cultural heritage site.

Highlights include:

Over 28,000 mu (≈1,867 hectares) of ancient tea groves

A “Forest–Tea–Village” triadic ecosystem

Renowned as a "Living Museum of Tea Trees"

? Ethnic Traditions & Rituals

Festivals: Dai New Year (Water Splashing Festival), Gate Closing & Opening Festivals

Rituals: Bulang Tea Ancestor Worship, Dai temple offerings

Intangible Heritage: Lahu lusheng dance, Dai silk weaving

Religious Landmarks:

Jingmai Dazhai Temple

Mengben Golden Pagoda

Nuogan Myan Temple

? Economy & Industry

? Core Industry: Ancient Pu'er Tea

Tea accounts for over 90% of total village income

Unified branding under “Jingmai Mountain Pu'er Tea”

2023 tourism figures: 400,000+ visitors

Full-chain quality management: “from tea gardens to teacups”

? Supplementary Sectors

Eco-agriculture: Rotational farming of rice, corn; trials of under-forest herbal medicine

Cultural Tourism: Ethnic handcraft workshops, tea-making experiences, rural homestays

? What to See & Do

? Must-Visit Hamlets

? Immersive Experiences

? Tea Forest Trekking: Guide-led walks through ancient tea groves

? Tea Workshop: From leaf picking to hand-rolling and stone pressing; personalized tea cake engraving

? Ethnic Homestay: Stay in Dai bamboo houses or Bulang wood cottages, enjoy firepit songs and traditional long-table banquets

Cultural Heritage and Ethnic Diversity

Jingmai Village (景迈村) is home to both the Dai (傣族) and Blang (布朗族) ethnic groups, each contributing unique cultural traditions. The village maintains the architectural styles, customs, and festivals of these two communities, which are intertwined with the tea culture that the region is so famous for.

Key Cultural Experiences:

Blang (布朗族) Traditional Village: Visit the 600-year-old Wengji (翁基) Village, known for its fire pit tea ceremony (火塘茶宴) and the Bee Drum Dance (蜂桶鼓舞).

Dai (傣族) Culture: Explore the traditional stilted houses (吊脚楼) of the Dai people, and enjoy their food and hospitality.

Top Attractions and Unique Experiences

1. Ancient Tea Forest Cultural Landscape

Dapingzhang Ancient Tea Forest (大平掌古茶林): This ancient tea forest is over a thousand years old, and visitors can hike for about 2 hours through the lush tea trees, experiencing the "Tea Tree Natural Museum" (茶树自然博物馆). It is a UNESCO-recognized cultural landscape.

Wengji Ancient Village (翁基古寨): A traditional Blang (布朗族) village with a history of over 600 years, Wengji offers visitors the chance to enjoy local tea ceremonies, such as the fire pit tea ceremony (30 RMB per person) and the Bee Drum Dance (free).

Nuogan Ancient Village (糯干古寨): Known for its well-preserved Dai stilted houses, this village is perfect for photography, especially during sunset at the Wind and Rain Bridge (风雨桥), an iconic "National Geographic" level photo spot.

2. Tea Culture Experiences

Tea Picking (采茶): Join a local tea picking experience for 50 RMB per person, where you can learn the process of harvesting the tea leaves.

Tea Production (铁锅杀青): Participate in a traditional tea-making session for 80 RMB per person, and take home your own hand-made tea leaves.

Ancient Tree Adoption: Starting in 2025, visitors will be able to adopt an ancient tea tree for 500 RMB per year, a unique way to contribute to the preservation of the region’s heritage.

3. Scenic Views

Cloud Sea Sunrise (云海日出): The best places to view the cloud sea are at the Manghong Eight-Lagged Pagoda (芒洪八角塔) or the Jingmai Grand Golden Pagoda (景迈大金塔). The cloud coverage in winter is over 90%, making it a perfect time for sunrise viewing.

Suggested Itinerary

Classic 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

Day 1:

• Depart from Puer (普洱) to Huimin Township (惠民镇).

• Explore Wengji (翁基) Ancient Village, participate in the Fire Pit Tea Feast (火塘茶宴) and learn about Blang culture.

• Overnight at Blang Family Guesthouse (布朗人家民宿) (150 RMB per night).

Day 2:

• Hike through Dapingzhang Ancient Tea Forest (大平掌古茶林).

• Visit Nuogan (糯干) Ancient Village, enjoy Dai-style hand-pulled rice (傣家手抓饭).

• Sunset at Jingmai Grand Golden Pagoda (景迈大金塔).

• Overnight at Jingmai Dazhai (景迈大寨).

Day 3:

• Sunrise at Manghong Eight-Lagged Pagoda (芒洪八角塔).

• Visit the Tea Temple (茶神庙) in Mangjing Village (芒景村).

• Return journey.

Practical Information

Ticket and Transportation

Tickets: There is no general entry ticket to the Jingmai Tea Cultural Landscape. Experience activities such as visiting the ancient villages or participating in tea ceremonies range from 30 to 80 RMB per person.

Transportation:

• By Plane: Fly into Lancang Jingmai Airport (澜沧景迈机场) and take a 1-hour drive to Huimin Township (惠民镇).

• By Car: From Puer (普洱), it takes about 3 hours to reach Huimin Township (惠民镇). The last 24 kilometers are on gravel roads with a speed limit of 40 km/h.

Accommodation Options

Luxury: Bai Lian Manor (柏联庄园), starting from 800 RMB per night, including a tea bath SPA experience.

Unique Stay: Wengji “Blang Family” Guesthouse (布朗人家民宿), 150 RMB per night, featuring a fire pit tea ceremony and cultural experiences.

Budget: Jingmai Dazhai Rural Guesthouse (景迈大寨农家乐), 80-200 RMB per night.

Food and Souvenirs

Must-Try: Blang (布朗族) sour meat (酸肉), Dai (傣族) bamboo tube rice (竹筒饭

? Travel Tips & Logistics

✈️ How to Get There

By Air:

Lancang Jingmai Airport (71 km away)

Xishuangbanna Gasa Airport (133 km away)

By Land:

From Pu’er City, take coach to Huimin Township (237 km), then transfer to local transport

Note: Mountain roads are stone-paved to protect tea trees; drive slow (20 km/h max)

?️ When to Visit

Best Season: November to March (cloud-sea vistas)

Avoid: Rainy season (June–September)

? Etiquette & Dos/Don’ts

❌ No climbing or carving on ancient tea trees

✅ Always ask permission before picking leaves

? Remove shoes when entering temples

? No photos during sacred rituals

? Nearby Exploration

Walk or bike to adjacent villages like Mengben and Nanzuo

Discover the motto: “One Village, One Ethnicity – One Hamlet, One Tea Heritage”