Joseph Rock, an Austrian-American explorer, botanist, and anthropologist, is renowned for his extensive explorations in China, particularly in the early 20th century. “The Glories of the Minya Konka” refers to one of his most famous expeditions and writings about the Minya Konka mountain (now known as Gongga Shan), which is located in the Daxue Mountain range of western Sichuan province.
Here are some key points about Joseph Rock and his work on “The Glories of the Minya Konka”:
“The Glories of the Minya Konka” remains a significant part of Joseph Rock’s legacy, highlighting his pioneering spirit, scientific curiosity, and deep appreciation for the natural and cultural wonders of China’s remote mountainous regions. His work continues to be valued for its scientific rigor and its role in promoting cross-cultural understanding and environmental conservation.
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Joseph Rock, an Austrian-American explorer, botanist, and anthropologist, is renowned for his extensive explorations in China, particularly in the early 20th century. He spent several years living among the ethnic minorities of southwest China, documenting their cultures, languages, and the region’s flora and fauna.
One of the areas where Joseph Rock made significant discoveries was in Muli (木里), located in the mountainous region of western Sichuan province. Here are some key points about his explorations and discoveries in Muli:
Joseph Rock’s explorations in Muli exemplify his dedication to scientific inquiry and cultural preservation in remote and challenging environments. His work continues to be celebrated for its contributions to both scientific knowledge and cross-cultural understanding.
Joseph Rock, the noted botanist and explorer, made significant visits to Kunming and Dali during his extensive travels in China. Here’s a brief overview of his visits to these places in 1922 and 1923, as well as some context about his later work:
Joseph Rock’s visits to Kunming and Dali in 1922 marked the beginning of his extensive contributions to botanical science and ethnography in China. His pioneering spirit and meticulous documentation have left an enduring impact on our understanding of China’s natural and cultural landscapes.
JOSEPH ROCK AND CHINA
Joseph Rock first came to China in 1913, on a brief visit when he was almost thirty years old. He was on a world tour after taking extended leave from his position as a botanical researcher at the newly-established University of Hawaii. At a relatively young age, he had already achieved a great deal – in fact his accomplishments at 30 would have been regarded by many other men as sufficient reward for a lifetime’s work.
From humble beginnings as the son of a Viennese servant he had settled in the US and become a respected university academic and the author of several scientific publications that had garnered international acclaim. One of these, The Indigenous Trees of Hawaii is still a classic reference text on the subject.
Joseph Rock’s journey to China in 1913 marked a significant turning point in his already illustrious career as an explorer and botanist. Here’s an overview of his early life and initial experiences in China:
Joseph Francis Charles Rock was born in Vienna, Austria, to humble beginnings as the son of a servant. Despite this, he rose to prominence through his intellect, determination, and passion for botanical research.
Joseph Rock’s life and career exemplify the spirit of exploration and scientific inquiry. His early experiences in China set the stage for a lifetime of adventurous journeys and scholarly pursuits that left a lasting impact on botany and ethnography.
He was born in Vienna, Austria, went to Egypt at the age of 10 with his father, and later wandered about in Europe. But on an impulse, he emigrated to the United States in 1905 (New York) and moved to Honolulu, Hawaii in 1907, where he eventually became an authority on the flora there. He first taught full-time (there were two others) at Mills College (now known as Mid-Pacific Institute), and was placed on leave in Sept. 1908 for health reasons (he needed to be out-of-doors). As the Territory of Hawaii’s first official botanist, he joined the faculty of the College of Hawaii; the name was changed in 1920 to become the University of Hawaii in 1911, established its first herbarium, and served as its first curator from 1911 until 1920, when he left the college to spend the next few decades exploring the botany of Asia.
During the Ngolok rebellions (1917-1949) Rock witnessed repeated battles by the Ma Clique’s Chinese Muslim army against the Ngolok Tibetans in Xiahe County and Labrang Monastery. The Ma Muslim army left Tibetan skeletons scattered over a wide area, and the Labrang monastery was decorated with decapitated Tibetan heads. After the 1929 battle of Xiahe near Labrang, decapitated Tibetan heads were used as ornaments by Chinese Muslim troops in their camp, 154 in total. Rock described “young girls and children”‘s heads staked around the military encampment. Ten to fifteen heads were fastened to the saddle of every Muslim cavalryman. The heads were “strung about the walls of the Moslem garrison like a garland of flowers.”
In March 2009, the University of Hawaii at Manoa named its herbarium after him. Works and collections by and from Rock are held in the Library of Congress.
Joseph Rock, an Austrian-American explorer, botanist, and adventurer, left a significant mark on the exploration and documentation of Yunnan province in China during the early 20th century. Here are some key aspects and places associated with Joseph Rock’s footsteps in Yunnan:
Joseph Rock (1884-1962) arrived in China in 1920 and spent much of the next three decades exploring and studying the flora, fauna, and cultures of the southwestern region of the country, primarily focusing on Yunnan province.
Joseph Rock’s exploration of Yunnan left a lasting legacy in the fields of ethnography, botany, and exploration. His documentation of cultures, landscapes, and flora provided valuable insights into a region that was relatively unknown to the Western world at the time. Today, his works continue to be studied and appreciated both for their scientific contributions and for their role in cultural and geographical history.
Mangjing Ancient Tea Plantation in Lancang County, Puer, is the tea capital of Pu’er and the base of Chinese tea town. It is the essence of Yunnan tea culture, Chinese tea culture and even the world tea culture. It contains the rich connotation of human agricultural civilization and historical process, economic development and social civilization progress of tea culture in the vast area around the ancient tea forest.
Mangjing ancient tea plantation located in Jingmai Village and Mangjing Village, Huimin Township, Lancang County, 72 kilometers from the county center. The highest elevation of the ancient tea plantation is 1662 meters, the lowest elevation is 1100 meters, the average altitude is 1400 meters, and the average annual temperature is 18 ° C. With a total area of 28,000 mu, there are more than 10,000 acres of forests. The annual output is 2 million kg of fresh leaves and 500 tons of dry tea can be produced.
Mangjing ancient tea plantation was domesticated and cultivated by the ancestors of the local bulang nationality and dai nationality, with a history of 1828 years. The ancient tea growing in the jungle relies on natural fertility, without any pollution, and is of high quality. It is a pure natural green product.
Mangjing ancient tea plantation is the world’s best preserved, oldest and largest artificially cultivated ancient tea plantation in the world. It is hailed as a “Tea Museum of Nature” by domestic and foreign experts and scholars. And it is the birthplace of industrialization of world tea culture. Well-preserved tea tree genes are an important germplasm resource bank for the future development of the tea industry. Mangjing ancient tea plantation is the historical witness of the development of Chinese tea culture, the epitome of the harmonious development of man and nature, and the most important physical carrier to inherit the history and cultural traditions of the nation. Gene bank and living fossils are important display windows for tea industry development and tea culture tourism in Lancang and even Pu’er City.
In March 2007, the review activity of the Chinese Folk Cultural Heritage Tourism Demonstration Zone led by UNESCO International Folk Art Organization and the Chinese Folk Artists Association, after more than a year of investigation, 15 famous scenic spots with rich reserves, high taste value and effective protection work were selected as China’s folk cultural heritage tourism demonstration areas. Mangjing ancient tea plantation was rated as the “Demonstration Zone of Chinese Folk Cultural Heritage Tourism”.
This honor has gained a solid foundation for further expanding the publicity that Lancang Lahu Autonomous County has the world’s only millennium acres of ancient tea gardens, pushing out Pu’er tea culture and Pu’er tea products, and fully displaying the unique Lahu cultural charm.
When you step on the beautiful and tranquil land, travelers will see the picturesque landscape, unique natural scenic spots and the colorful ethnic culture, which are the most important elements of Lincang tour. When you come to Lincang, the top attractions in Lincang are must-visit.
Edited by Ziwei Chen/陈紫薇
King of the Wild Ancient Tea Tree in Yuanjiang County, Yuxi
Located in the Ailao Mountains of Yuanjiang County, Yuxi, the King of the Wild Ancient Tea Tree is a remarkable botanical specimen. This ancient tea tree, estimated to be over 1,700 years old according to Yunnan tea experts, has earned a place among the Top 5 Ancient Tea Trees of The King in Yunnan.
Location and Significance
Yuanjiang County, situated in the Ailao Mountains, features a diverse topography with elevations ranging from 327 meters to 2,580 meters. This region is known for its rich biodiversity, making it one of the most concentrated areas of plant and animal diversity in Yunnan. The Ailao Mountains also host a significant number of wild ancient tea trees.
Discovery and Characteristics
During an expedition in the Nanshui Primitive Forest of Manlai Town, Yuanjiang County, experts identified a well-preserved wild ancient tea tree estimated to be around 1,700 years old. The research team conducted an in-depth investigation of the existing tea tree population in the area. They examined various aspects such as altitude, soil, age, variety, flowers, fruit, branches, leaves, and overall shape.
The largest of the two ancient tea trees measured 12.2 meters in height and had a root diameter of 1.2 meters. It was preliminarily assessed as a large-leaf wild ancient tea tree. This specimen is notable for its robust health and impressive size, making it one of the largest and oldest wild tea trees in Yunnan.
Scientific, Cultural, and Economic Value
The research team concluded that these wild ancient tea trees are not only visually stunning but also hold significant scientific, cultural, and economic value. They represent a unique historical record of tea cultivation, from its early domestication to large-scale cultivation. The trees are considered a precious heritage, embodying the profound history of tea and offering valuable insights into tea industry development.
These ancient wild tea trees are a testament to the rich cultural and historical legacy of tea cultivation in Yunnan and are regarded as a treasured legacy from our ancestors.
Qianjiazhai Village No.1 Ancient Tea Tree of Ailao Mountain in Zhenyuan County, Puer (云南镇沅哀牢山千家寨1号古茶树)
The world’s largest ancient tea tree is located in the primeval forest of Ailao Mountain in Qianjiazhai, Zhenyuan County, Yunnan Province, at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. Known as the Qianjiazhai No. 1 Ancient Tea Tree, it stands an impressive 25.6 meters tall. Experts estimate that this tree is over 2,700 years old, dating back to the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period in Chinese history.
Local residents have long been aware of the presence of wild ancient tea trees in the area, but these resources were not seriously developed or utilized until the 1970s. It was during a government-organized survey for a proposed reservoir in Qianjiazhai that the ancient tea forest was officially discovered. However, the specific identification of the Qianjiazhai No. 1 tree did not occur until 1991.
In 2001, this ancient wild tea tree was recognized by the Shanghai Great World Guinness Headquarters as the largest ancient tea tree, receiving the title of “Great World Guinness Record.” However, for researchers studying the origin and survival patterns of tea trees, the significance of Qianjiazhai No. 1 extends far beyond its size.
In the same year, October 2001, a tea company “adopted” this tree. To protect this millennia-old treasure, the company erected an iron fence and built stone walls around the tree. Additionally, they hired personnel to guard the tree in shifts year-round, ensuring its safety and preservation.
The Qianjiazhai No. 1 Ancient Tea Tree is not only a marvel of nature due to its age and size but also a crucial subject for scientific research. Studying this tree provides valuable insights into the history, evolution, and ecological adaptations of tea plants. The protection measures taken demonstrate a commitment to preserving this significant botanical heritage for future generations, underscoring the cultural and historical importance of tea in the region.
The discovery and subsequent safeguarding of the Qianjiazhai No. 1 Ancient Tea Tree highlight the rich biodiversity of Yunnan’s forests and the profound connection between the local communities and their natural environment. This tree stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of tea culture in China and its significance to both historical research and modern tea cultivation practices.
The news was updated on October 30, 2019.
Featured primarily by its rough and slightly tawny surface, Dongba paper is a seemingly humble existence, relative to papers of modern era. But in Lijiang, the historical and cultural hub of northwest Yunnan, artisans of the Naxi are still passionate about learning and inheriting traditional techniques of making Dongba papers – which have been hailed as paper’s “living fossils.”
Dongba paper takes a rather special role in the cultural and spiritual life of Naxi people, the dominant ethnic group of Lijiang. For centuries, local priests have been drawing and writing sacred scriptures of Bön – a pre-Buddhist religion native to Tibet – on these papers with their own pictographic characters. Hence, they are considered an important vehicle to convey and spread the Naxi history and culture. What is more surprising, however, is the fact that Dongba paper can remain intact and usable for thousands of years without the concern of being decomposed. That’s why it is called the “paper with a longevity of millennia.”
Different from white printer papers we now use on a daily basis, Dongba paper looks yellowish (like the papyrus of ancient Egypt), and does not feel smooth and even when you touch it. According to He Huaqiang, Dongba papers are made from canescent wikstroemia, a locally-grown shrub. Having been learning with a few elder masters for years, Mr. He is a famed inheritor of Lijiang’s traditional paper-making techniques. “Stalks and leaves of the plant can still be seen, if you scrutinize the paper under sunlight,” he said.
Manufacturing Dongba paper is a fairly sophisticated process, involving several steps. Paper makers have to remove those black skins of the shrub first. The white plant left inside then needs to be boiled in hot water for a few hours. During this time, He Huaqiang and his peers must sit by the stove to keep the fire stable and constant. “Temperature is the key,” he said. “Heat has to be carefully controlled, because this is the premise for making exquisite Dongba papers.”
After being boiled, fabrics of the plant would turn exceptionally soft. The following processes include hammering, soaking, stirring, drying and eventually rolling. And it’s worth mentioning that all these steps above have to be done by hand.
He Huaqiang has been keen on popularizing the ethnic culture of Naxi people. His products gained much popularity during the 2019 Creative Yunnan Culture Industries Expo between August 8 and 12. “These yellowish papers look very special and they feel like barks when I put my hand on them.” said Zhang Ning, a Kunming citizen who attended the expo.
In terms of the question whether Dongba papers can really keep their shapes for thousands of years, He responded confidently that canescent wikstroemia is a special and sometimes even magical plant, because it contains a toxin which could effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria, and this would not affect people’s health after processing. “That is what I call the secret of Dongba paper”.
Source from http://english.yunnan.cn/html/2019/craft_1030/18084.html
Mengku Daxueshan, located in Mengku Town, Shuangjiang County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province, boasts a main peak that rises over 3,200 meters above sea level. The ancient tea tree communities are distributed along the mountainside at altitudes between 2,200 and 2,750 meters. With an average annual temperature below 11 degrees Celsius and an annual rainfall of approximately 2,000 millimeters, the region’s exceptional natural conditions foster the growth of tea trees.
No. 1 Ancient Tea Tree of Mengku Snow Mountain in Shuangjiang County, Lincang (勐库大雪山1号古茶树 ), estimated to be around 2,700 years old, is located on the western edge of Lincang City and Shuangjiang County, near the border with Gengma County. This area lies along the southern extension of the Hengduan Mountains, known locally as Bangma Mountain, with the main peak named Mengku Daxueshan.
The wild ancient tea tree community in Shuangjiang’s Mengku Daxueshan remained unknown to the world until a drought in 1997 led to its discovery. These wild tea trees represent a more primitive species than the cultivated Pu’er tea varieties, possessing all the morphological characteristics and functional components of tea trees. Mengku’s ancient wild tea trees are considered one of the world’s centers of tea tree origin. Among the discovered ancient tea trees, the 2,700-year-old No. 1 tree stands out as the oldest known ancient tea tree to date. Located at an altitude of 2,720 meters, this remarkable tree stands 16.8 meters tall with a base circumference of 3.25 meters and a chest circumference of 3.1 meters.
Standing beneath the No. 1 Ancient Tea Tree and gazing up at its dense foliage inspires a profound sense of reverence. It is awe-inspiring to realize that a tea tree takes approximately 500 years to reach the height of an average adult. Each year, countless tea enthusiasts make the pilgrimage to this site to witness this magnificent tree. The Mengku Daxueshan ancient tea tree community, and particularly the No. 1 tree, draws numerous visitors who come to pay homage to these natural wonders, underscoring the deep cultural and historical significance of tea in this region.
Yunquan Hot Spring Spa is the only garden-style pure natural mineral hot spring in Chenggong New District of Kunming. The spring water of Yunquan Hot Spring is pure and transparent and is suitable for direct human body soaking. Yunquan Hot Spring has a Tai Chi Pool, a special function pool, a massage hot spring pool and many other hot spring pools with South Asian style and garden style. It is the number one choice for leisure and health.
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Joseph Rock, an Austrian-American explorer, botanist, and anthropologist, is renowned for his extensive explorations in China, particularly in the early 20th century. “The Glories of the Minya Konka” refers...
Joseph Rock, an Austrian-American explorer, botanist, and anthropologist, is renowned for his extensive explorations in China, particularly in the early 20th century. He spent several years living among the...
Joseph Rock, the noted botanist and explorer, made significant visits to Kunming and Dali during his extensive travels in China. Here’s a brief overview of his visits to these...
JOSEPH ROCK AND CHINA Joseph Rock first came to China in 1913, on a brief visit when he was almost thirty years old. He was on a world tour...
He was born in Vienna, Austria, went to Egypt at the age of 10 with his father, and later wandered about in Europe. But on an impulse, he emigrated...
Joseph Rock, an Austrian-American explorer, botanist, and adventurer, left a significant mark on the exploration and documentation of Yunnan province in China during the early 20th century. Here are...
Introduction of Mangjing Ancient Tea Plantation Mangjing Ancient Tea Plantation in Lancang County, Puer, is the tea capital of Pu’er and the base of Chinese tea town. It is the...
King of the Wild Ancient Tea Tree in Yuanjiang County, Yuxi Located in the Ailao Mountains of Yuanjiang County, Yuxi, the King of the Wild Ancient Tea Tree is...
Qianjiazhai Village No.1 Ancient Tea Tree of Ailao Mountain in Zhenyuan County, Puer (云南镇沅哀牢山千家寨1号古茶树) The World’s Largest Ancient Tea Tree The world’s largest ancient tea tree is located in...
The news was updated on October 30, 2019. Featured primarily by its rough and slightly tawny surface, Dongba paper is a seemingly humble existence, relative to papers of modern...
Mengku Daxueshan: Home to Ancient Tea Trees Mengku Daxueshan, located in Mengku Town, Shuangjiang County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province, boasts a main peak that rises over 3,200 meters above...
Yunquan Hot Spring Spa is the only garden-style pure natural mineral hot spring in Chenggong New District of Kunming. The spring water of Yunquan Hot Spring is pure and...
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