The Yunnan Qianwei Tea Trading Market云南前卫茶叶交易市场 was established by Yunnan Fuliang Industrial Co., Ltd. with an investment of 36 million yuan. Construction began in June 2004, and the market was completed by March 2005, officially opening on April 3, 2005.

Key Features

1. Location and Size:
   • Total Area: 26,000 square meters.
   • Ground Floor: Houses over 400 commercial shops, covering approximately 12,000 square meters.
   • Second Floor: Provides elegant spaces for tea enthusiasts to taste and relax.
   • Third Floor: Features a display hall for cultural exchanges related to tea-producing regions across China.
2. Geographical Advantage:
   • Proximity to Key Locations:
     • 2 kilometers north of Kunming city center and Kunming Railway Station.
     • 3 kilometers east of Kunming International Airport.
   • Access:
     • Adjacent to Xingke Road, connecting north to Haigeng Road and Anshi Highway.
     • South connects to Shili Changjie and Guangfu Road.
   • Public Transportation: Directly accessible via city buses 109, 110, and 127.
3. Commercial Hub:
   • Located near large comprehensive wholesale markets.
   • Positioned in the southern district of Kunming, making it an ideal commercial center.
   • Provides significant business opportunities for customers and vendors, thanks to its strategic location and accessibility.

Origin of Qianwei Tea Market

Chen Shuyi was a merchant from Fujian province, who came to Kunming in the 1990s and founded the qianwei tea market. Attracted by Pu’er’s thick mellowness, he changed from a businessman to a temperamental “tea lover”.

As a businessman, Chen Shuyi bluntly stated that when he first arrived in Kunming, he was a commercial real estate developer. Four commercial cities have been built at that time, and the qianwei tea market was one of them. At the beginning of the establishment of the tea city, Chen Shuyi pay attention to the value of Pu’er tea. With the completion of the tea city, he would go to various tea shops to taste tea. Gradually, he fell in love with Pu’er tea.

After experiencing the “economic winter” of Yunnan tea market and the fierce competition of Yuncha, he never hesitated, and continued to adhere to a businessman’s love for Pu’er tea. The original intention of making tea is to make a profit. But now, he is thinking promote the unique tea culture of Pu’er and establish a positive image of Pu’er tea.

Development of Tea Culture Square

From the tea market in 2005 to today’s tea culture square, behind the upgrading of a tea market is a businessman’s love for Pu’er tea. “Make friends with Pu’er tea, gather friends with tea culture”, this is what Chen Shuyi always said. Because of deep love for Pu’er tea, he must insist on doing his best. What Chen Shuyi wants to present to you is a tea culture square with more than 30 Yunnan premium tea brand franchised stores, including nearly 70 mid-range Pu’er tea brands, and the first Puer tea culture promotion and exchange platform. .

Tea Culture Square Today

Today, the original tea market has transformed into a “Yunnan Qianwei Tea Cultural Square” with a display area of more than 30,000 square meters, which not only attracts some well-known tea companies such as Dayi, Zhongcha, Chen Sheng, Tongqing, Yongnian, Longrun, but also attracts Puer Tea Association of Yunnan Province, China Puer Tea Evaluation Committee and China Tea Circulation Association (Kunming) Training Base to settle here.

Regarding the market upgrading, Chen Shuyi said, “The previous tea market was a conventional tea sales platform and business model. After upgrading to a tea culture square, the business model will be more flexible and diversified. Through on-site tea culture exchange and product display and trading, Pu’er tea and tea culture have been effectively promoted to the whole country and even the world, making it a modern international tea trading center with professionalism, multi-function and multiple trading modes. ”

Edited by Ziwei Chen/陈紫薇

Introduction of Guochagang(国茶港) Tea Market

Guochagang（国茶港） tea market is located in Wuhua district, Kunming, covering an area of 50 acres and costing a biliion yuan. Guochagang tea market is an urban complex project, known as China’s chief  yuntea landmark, the largest tea company headquarters base in southwest China, China’s first tea-themed high-end commercial city complex, and China’s first comprehensive Pu’er tea commodity trading venue. Guochagang was jointly established by Pu’er State-owned Assets Management Co., Ltd. （普洱国有资产有限管理公司）and Yunnan Fanpu Real Estate Co., Ltd.（云南凡普房地产有限公司）

Significance of Guochagang（国茶港） Tea Market

With Yuncha as the cornerstone of the industry, Guochagang（国茶港） tea market will present a panoramic business format. With the support of the government, Guochagang（国茶港） tea market will establish the nation’s only Pu’er tea culture and technology exchange center, and establish the first Pu’er tea integrity system that integrates national appraisal, world-class auctions and top-level collections. Only by setting industry benchmarks can the “fidelity and value-added” of tea be guaranteed.

With the tea authority appraisal, you will feel at ease regardless of the price of the tea you buy; with the Tea Auction Center, the tea that was originally appreciated and bid only in a small circle will be advertised to a wider group. Get approval to avoid slump and regulate the market. This is based on the model of some mature industries, such as jewelry, calligraphy, antiques, rare flowers, etc. Moreover, with the collection center, senior buyers no longer need to worry about tea. The lack of a suitable storage environment is also a reference to the safe business of banks, etc. In short, cross-border thinking makes all activities of tea full of vitality.

Guochagang（国茶港）tea market is the future industry leader!

Edited by Ziwei Chen/陈紫薇

The Ancient Tea Horse Road (茶马古道, Chá Mǎ Gǔ Dào) is a historically significant network of caravan paths that linked the regions of Southwest China with Tibet, Southeast Asia, and even South Asia. It played a crucial role in the economic, cultural, and social exchanges between different ethnic groups and regions.

Origins and Development

• Early Beginnings:
  • The origins of the Tea Horse Road can be traced back to the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD) when the Tibetan Empire required horses for its cavalry and sought tea from the Han Chinese to satisfy the growing tea consumption among its people. The road’s importance grew during the Song (960–1279) and Yuan (1271–1368) dynasties, as the demand for horses and tea became even more critical.
• Main Goods Traded:
  • Tea: The road is most famous for the trade of tea, particularly from the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces. The tea was transported in compressed bricks or other forms that were easier to carry over long distances.
  • Horses: In exchange for tea, Tibetans would trade horses, which were essential for the Chinese military and agricultural purposes.
  • Other goods traded included salt, sugar, textiles, spices, herbs, and various local products.

Geography and Routes

• Main Routes:
  • The Tea Horse Road was not a single path but a network of routes that passed through various provinces in China, including Yunnan, Sichuan, and Tibet. These routes extended into Myanmar, India, Nepal, and beyond.
  • Yunnan-Tibet Route: Starting from Pu’er and Lijiang in Yunnan Province, this route was the most famous. It crossed through the Hengduan Mountains, reaching Tibet and further to South Asia.
  • Sichuan-Tibet Route: Originating from Sichuan Province, this route also connected to Lhasa and other parts of Tibet.
• Terrain and Challenges:
  • The routes traversed some of the most challenging terrains in the world, including high mountain passes, deep river gorges, dense forests, and snow-capped peaks. The caravan traders, known as mabang (horsemen), faced extreme weather conditions, bandit attacks, and the risk of falling into ravines.

Cultural and Historical Significance

• Cultural Exchange:
  • The road facilitated significant cultural exchange between the Han Chinese, Tibetans, Bai, Naxi, and other ethnic groups. This interaction led to the exchange of ideas, religious beliefs (especially the spread of Buddhism), art, and language.
• Historical Impact:
  • The Tea Horse Road was instrumental in maintaining the political and economic balance between the Chinese empire and Tibet. The trade of tea and horses was not only a matter of commerce but also of diplomacy and strategy, influencing the relations between the regions.
• Preservation and Decline:
  • The road’s use began to decline with the advent of modern transportation and political changes in the 20th century. However, its historical importance has led to efforts to preserve the remnants of this ancient trade route. In 2013, the Tea Horse Road was listed as part of the national key cultural relic protection units in China.

The ancient Tea Horse Road was a network of caravan paths winding through the mountains of southwest China. It was used as a commercial passage for transporting tea, salt and other commodities. Sometimes Chinese tea would be exchanged for Tibetan ponies. Historically, the ancient Tea Horse Road was almost the same as the western frontier of China.

Early Ancient Times

Chinese tea was originated in Sichuan province(四川省). Tea was traded more than 2,000 years ago during the western han dynasty (206 bc-ad 24). Chinese traders often traded local products, such as tea for yaks, with tibetans living across the dadu river. At that time, the trade road was called yak road, that is, tea horse ancient road. However, the custom of drinking tea has not been widely developed in China. Instead, tea is used as an important part of some medical treatments. As a result, it is not often used by tibetans. Therefore, in early ancient times, tea was only sold in limited quantities in Tibet.

The custom of drinking tea, however, had not yet developed widely in China and instead, tea was used as a valuable component of certain medical treatments. It was therefore not very commonly used by Tibetans. Consequently, tea was sold only in limited quantities to Tibetan areas during early ancient times.

Tang and Song Dynasties

Tang Dynasty

During the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD), the Tibetan Tobo regime thrived in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, absorbing a great deal of the advanced culture around it. When Princess Wencheng married Songtsen Gampo (the 33rd Tibetan emperor, in 641 AD) and later, when Princess Jincheng married Me Agtsom (the 36th Tibetan emperor, in 710 AD), tea-drinking was gradually introduced to the Tobo area (now Tibet). At first, however, tea was only served as a precious medical product used by the royal family, not as an ordinary drink. Slowly, it also became popular with the Tibetan upper classes and with monks.

Tea-drinking  further developed  in the Kaiyuan period (713-741 AD). As the contact between the Tobo and the Tang increased, especially as lots of Zen monks from the inland areas went to Tobo to preach, tea-drinking was introduced to more Tibetans.

In the late Tang dynasty, because the relations between the Tobo and the Tang regimes became stable, friendly and peaceful, the Tang government needed horses and cows from Tibet to carry textiles and tea. Thus, this promoted the trade relation between the two regions. More and more cheap tea flowed into Tibet, making it more convenient for Tibetans to get it.

Song Dynasty

During the Five Dynasty period (907-960AD) and the Song dynasty (960-1279AD), war broke out frequently. The central government needed to buy war horses from Tibet and strengthed the relations with tribes in the Tibetan area through tea trade.

Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties

Yuan Dyanasty

During the Yuan Dynasty(1271-1368AD), the Tobo regime was controlled by the central government. The Yuan government decided to set up many stations in the Tibetan region in order to promote transportation between Tibet and inland areas.

Ming Dynasty

During the Ming Dynasty(1368-1644AD), government attached much importance to the tea supply in the Tibetan region. As a result, a lot of tea-laws was carried out for the region to keep tea trade under government supercision and control.

Qing Dynasty

During the Qing Dynasty(1644-1911AD), Sichuan played a very important role in ruling Tibet. Sichuan and Tibet had  developed a closer relations of tea-for-horse trade.

In the 41st year of the Kangxi Emperor’s reign (1702), the central government set up the Chaguan (Tea Pass) in Kangding, making it a collection and distribution center for tea transportation to Tibet, and an important center on the ancient Tea-Horse Road.

Ancient Tea Horse Road Today

For more than a thousand years, the Tea Horse Road — a thoroughfare of commerce between China and Tibet – was one of the harshest trails in Asia. The ancient passageway stretched almost 2,250km across the tea-growing region of China’s Sichuan Province to Lhasa, the 365m-high capital of Tibet. Beginning in the 10th Century, Chinese porters and pack animals inched up switchbacks to cross Tibet’s Zar Gama Pass to trade Chinese tea for Tibetan horses. Today, most of the original Tea Horse Road is gone and what is left of the old route is now travelled by car or truck.

Keep Reading

• Map of The Ancient Tea Horse Road
• Ancient Tea Culture Tours Routes in Puer
• How to Plan Tea Culture Tour in Yunnan
• Towns and Villages along The Tea Horse Road

Edited by Ziwei Chen/陈紫薇

The news was updated October 3, 2019. 

A new direct flight was launched Monday, connecting Kunming, capital city of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, and Haiphong of Vietnam.

It is the first direct air route that connects Kunming with Haiphong, Vietnam’s third largest city, said the operator of the flight, Ruili Airlines.

Flights are scheduled every day, with a Boeing 737NG aircraft. The outbound flight is DR5027, and the return flight is DR5028, according to the company.

The route is expected to further facilitate the exchanges in the fields of economy, culture, and tourism between the two countries.

Source from http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-10/03/c_138444860.htm

Introduction

Origin 

Fuyuanchang, a century-old brand of pu ‘er tea. Yu Fusheng (late 19th century-1945), founder of the Fuyuanchang, established the brand during the Republic of China. Yu Fusheng is diligent, honest, and well-selected. He makes excellent tea products and has earned a high reputation.”Fuyuanchang” tea house was listed as one of the four famous tea houses of the year. The century-old Fuyuanchang Round Tea also enjoys the reputation of ‘Puer Tea King’. It is the holder of the highest record among the best-quality tea lot currently stored. 

Development 

Fuyuanchang Tea Factory carries the history and glory of Pu’er Tea “Fuyuanchang”, and is determined to pass on the century-old Fuyuanchang tea-making skills and spiritual and cultural essence. Based on the world’s tea source and Pu’er tea’s origin-Xishuangbanna, they have been adhering to ingenuity, adhering to nature and respect for tea, using pure high-quality raw materials, and inheriting the essence of ancient techniques to restore an authentic and spiritual Fuyuanchang round tea.

Today

“An amazing Pu’er tea time-honored brand. A well-known cloth shop. A vocal night city. A piece of wood of great value. A small pot of sprouts. A variety of books. And a group of little beautiful girls … “This is the tea culture scholar Zhou Chonglin’s description of the Fuyuanchang Gaozhuang Experience Museum. In Xishuangbanna, the origin of Pu’er tea, in this old Pu’er tea’s old-fashioned tea space, there is a unique aesthetic of tea life, and a desire to transmit the beauty of tea life. In this space, spreading beauty and goodwill, affecting more people, living with tea party beauty, creating a refined life, and making yourself warmer and better. Here is a collection of Pu’er tea time-honored brands, commoner’s hall, and tea library.

Here, you can learn about Fu Yuanchang Hekai Tea House, which is located in the oldest Lahu village in the Brown Mountains.Here, you can see the ancient tea garden in Xishuangbanna, which is the best preserved, with the largest area and the most ornamental value.

Jingxin Tea House 普洱市思茅区静馨茶舍in the Simao District of Pu’er City is a tea house that specializes in offering high-quality Pu’er tea and other varieties. The tea house focuses on tea culture and the art of tea. It provides a comfortable environment where guests can relax and enjoy tea ceremonies and explanations about tea.

The specific address and contact information may change over time. It’s recommended to check local tourism information or use search engines to find the latest details. You can also contact the Pu’er City Tourism Bureau or relevant tea associations for more information.

Location & Overview

I. Space Features & Cultural Immersion

• Highlight: A “Tea Ceremony Aesthetic Experience Zone” offers performances of Song Dynasty whipped tea and Tang Dynasty boiled tea (advance booking required). The tea master infuses local ingredients into desserts, such as snow tea jelly from Cangshan and rose-honeyed milk fan rolls, reflecting Dali’s culinary heritage.

II. Tea Varieties & Brewing Techniques

1. Gantong Tea: Grown on Cangshan’s Shengying Peak, praised by Xu Xiake in the Ming Dynasty. Brewed using the Bai “Thunderous Tea” method (roasting tea leaves over charcoal before steeping), it yields an amber-colored, pine-smoked broth.
2. Xiaguan Tuocha: Aged over 20 years, this classic tea from the century-old “Yongchangxiang” brand allows guests to experience the full process of prying, waking, and boiling tea.
3. Wild Ancient Cangshan Tea: Seasonal rare selections like 2,800m-altitude wild “Dark Tea” are available by inquiry.

III. Local Cultural Activities

• Bai Three-Course Tea Ceremony: Learn the “first bitter, second sweet, third lingering” ritual from intangible cultural inheritors, complete with traditional attire.
• Jianchuan Black Pottery Workshop: Collaborate with artisans to create and fire your own black pottery tea set.
• Tea Horse Road Storytelling: Hear tales of ancient caravan routes while savoring “Horse Roll” snacks (soybean flour glutinous rice cakes).

IV. Deep Exploration Around Dali

1. Yangrenjie Cultural Walk:
   • “Old Banyan Tree Story Corner”: Listen to Bai elders sing folk songs with three-stringed instruments over roasted tea.
   • Dali Intangible Heritage Museum: Try woodblock printing and embroidery within a 5-minute walk.
2. Cangshan Hiking Routes:
   • “Tea Sage Path”: A 3-hour trek to Zhonghe Temple, passing Ming Dynasty tea gardens and ending with panoramic Erhai views.
   • Jizhao’an Temple: A 20-minute drive to this Zen temple surrounded by succulents, offering vegetarian meals and temple tea.
3. Evening Cultural Scene:
   • Friday Night Poetry & Tea Gatherings: Local poets and guests improvise verses while enjoying tea wine (low-alcohol tea distillate).
   • People’s Road Folk Music: Explore bars like “Da Bing’s Cabin” for Dali’s folk music scene.

V. Practical Updates

• Hours: Winter 9:30-22:00 | Summer 9:00-22:30 (open daily).
• Booking: 1 day in advance, specifying preferences.
• Transport: Park at Yangrenjie Central Square and walk 3 minutes, or take the scenic shuttle to “Huguo Road Station.”
• Nearby Eats:
  • Zaihuishou Cold Chicken Noodles (50m away, try with papaya soup).
  • Shijing Private Kitchen (8-minute walk, famous for sour fish and water mimosa soup).

VI. Tips for Visitors

• Dress Code: Free Hanfu rentals available (deposit required). Light-colored clothing recommended for photography.
• Seasonal Offerings: Limited-edition teas like pre-Qingming “Cangshan Snow Bud” during tea festivals (book 1 week ahead).
• Eco-Friendly: 10% discount for BYO cups; biodegradable tea bags and bamboo plates provided.

Yunnan tea culture tourism offers a unique experience that combines natural beauty and cultural heritage. Visitors can stroll through ancient tea mountains in Pu’er (普洱), Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), and Lincang (临沧), such as Jingmai Mountain (景迈山), Nannuo Mountain (南糯山), and Laobanzhang (老班章), to admire the tea plantations, pick tea leaves, and experience traditional tea-making techniques. At the same time, they can explore ethnic minority villages, savor authentic tea banquets, and immerse themselves in the historical charm of the ancient Tea Horse Road (茶马古道). Here, every tea mountain tells an ancient story, and every cup of tea embodies the essence of Yunnan.

Introduction to Yunnan’s Tea Mountains

Yunnan’s tea mountains are primarily distributed in Pu’er City (普洱市), Xishuangbanna Prefecture (西双版纳州), and Lincang City (临沧市). Among them, the Ancient Six Great Tea Mountains (古六大茶山) and the New Six Great Tea Mountains (新六大茶山) are the most famous.

Ancient Six Great Tea Mountains

1. Youle Tea Mountain (攸乐茶山): Located in Jinghong City (景洪市), it is the most prominent of the ancient tea mountains, known for its large-leaf tea varieties.
2. Gedeng Tea Mountain (革登茶山): Although small in size, it is famous for its “Tea King Tree” and unique tea aroma.
3. Yibang Tea Mountain (倚邦茶山): Known for its medium and small-leaf tea varieties, offering a delicate fragrance.
4. Mangzhi Tea Mountain (莽枝茶山): Renowned for its honey-like floral aroma and high-quality tea.
5. Manzhuan Tea Mountain (蛮砖茶山): Features a rich, mellow flavor and strong aroma.
6. Mansa Tea Mountain (曼撒茶山): Now known as Yiwu (易武), it is a significant Pu’er tea production area.

New Six Great Tea Mountains

1. Nannuo Mountain (南糯山): Located in Menghai County (勐海县), it is known for its thousand-year-old tea trees and Hani ethnic culture.
2. Nanqiao Tea Mountain (南峤茶山): Features medium-leaf tea varieties with a mellow taste.
3. Mengsong Tea Mountain (勐宋茶山): Rich in tea tree resources, offering a balanced bitterness in its tea.
4. Jingmai Mountain (景迈山): Located in Lancang County (澜沧县), Pu’er City, it is the world’s first tea-themed UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its “orchid fragrance.”
5. Bulang Mountain (布朗山): Known for its large-leaf tea varieties, offering a strong bitterness with a sweet aftertaste.
6. Bada Mountain (巴达山): Famous for its wild ancient tea trees and unique tea aroma.

Other Famous Tea Mountains

Laobanzhang (老班章): A top-tier tea mountain in Menghai County, known for its “bold” flavor.

Bingdao (冰岛): A renowned tea mountain in Lincang, famous for its sweet and smooth taste.

Xigui (昔归): A high-quality tea mountain in Lincang, known for its rich aroma.

Hekai (贺开): A continuous ancient tea garden in Menghai County, producing excellent tea.

Pasha (帕沙): A high-quality tea mountain in Menghai County, offering a mellow taste.

Naka (那卡): A well-known tea mountain in Menghai County, famous for its unique aroma.

Banpen (班盆): A neighboring tea mountain of Laobanzhang, producing high-quality tea.

Banpozhai (半坡寨): A high-quality tea mountain in Menghai County, known for its sweet taste.

Additionally, Yunnan has many other significant tea mountains, such as Baiying Mountain (白莺山), Wuliang Mountain (无量山), and Ailao Mountain (哀牢山) in Lincang, as well as Jinggu (景谷), Zhenyuan (镇沅), and Menglian (孟连) in Pu’er, and Menghai (勐海) and Mengla (勐腊) in Xishuangbanna.

Tea Mountain Tourism Activities

Yunnan’s tea mountains are not only the birthplace of Pu’er tea but also charming tourist destinations. Below are some unique tea mountain tourism activities:

1. Tea Plantation Tours and Tea-Picking Experiences

Visitors can stroll through famous tea regions like Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er and Nannuo Mountain in Xishuangbanna, admiring the endless tea plantations and sea of clouds. During the tea-picking season, visitors can participate in tea picking and experience the journey from tea leaves to teacup.

2. Learning Traditional Tea-Making Techniques

In places like Tengchong Tea Expo Garden (腾冲茶博园) in Baoshan (保山) and Shuangbai Baizhu Mountain Tea Garden (双柏白竹山茶园) in Chuxiong (楚雄), visitors can delve into traditional tea-making techniques such as fixation, rolling, and drying. This immersive experience not only teaches the process of making Pu’er tea but also allows visitors to create their own tea.

3. Integration of Tea Culture and Ethnic Customs

Yunnan’s tea mountains are closely tied to ethnic cultures. In Jingmai Mountain, visitors can enjoy the Bulang ethnic group’s (布朗族) unique tea banquets, such as tea-fried beef and tea-fried eggs, experiencing their distinctive culinary culture. In Dehong Mangshi Santai Mountain De’ang Ethnic Township (德宏芒市三台山德昂族乡), visitors can participate in making De’ang sour tea (德昂族酸茶), experiencing ancient tea-making techniques.

4. Exploring Ancient Tea Trees and Villages

Yunnan’s tea mountains are home to thousand-year-old tea trees, such as those in Jingmai Mountain’s ancient tea forests, which have witnessed the development of Pu’er tea. Visitors can also explore ancient villages like Nuogan Ancient Village (糯干古寨) and Wengji Ancient Village (翁基古寨), experiencing the simple folk customs.

5. Tea Mountain Homestays and Camping

In places like Tengchong Tea Expo Garden and Dali Nanjian Wuliang Mountain Cherry Blossom Valley (大理南涧无量山樱花谷), visitors can stay in tea mountain homestays or camp, enjoying the peaceful rural life. At Wuliang Mountain Cherry Blossom Valley, visitors can also experience luxury tent camping and enjoy the sunrise and sunset over the tea plantations.

6. Tea Horse Road Hiking Tours

Yunnan’s Tea Horse Road (茶马古道) was an important trade route for tea in ancient times. Today, it has become a popular tourist route. Visitors can hike along the ancient road, enjoying the natural scenery and historical sites. At the Pu’er Tea Horse Road Heritage Site (普洱茶马古道遗址), visitors can experience the charm of caravan culture.

7. Tea-Themed Culinary Tours

Yunnan’s tea mountains offer not only tea but also a variety of tea-themed cuisine. Visitors can enjoy Pu’er tea banquets and Bulang ethnic meals in tea mountain scenic areas. These dishes perfectly combine tea culture with local ingredients, leaving a lasting impression.

8. Tea Mountain Road Self-Driving Tours

Yunnan’s tea mountain roads are known for their stunning scenery, making them popular routes for self-driving tours. Visitors can drive or cycle along roads like Jingmai Mountain Tea Road (景迈山茶山公路) and Mengku Tea Mountain Road (勐库茶山公路) to enjoy the breathtaking views.

Tea Horse Road Tourism Routes

The Tea Horse Road is an ancient trade route that has now become a popular tourist destination. Below are some common Tea Horse Road tourism routes and activities to help you plan your journey:

1. One-Day Pu’er Tea Horse Road Tour

The Pu’er Tea Horse Road Scenic Area (普洱茶马古道旅游景区) is located in Pu’er City, about 5 kilometers from the city center. It is a well-preserved and culturally rich section of the Tea Horse Road.

Itinerary:

Visitor Center: Take a sightseeing car to Dingbo Lake (定波湖) and enjoy the scenic views.

Rainbow Cable Car: Ride the cable car through the tea mountains, overlooking the tea plantations and subtropical rainforest.

Ancient Road Hiking: Hike along the Tea Horse Road heritage site, experiencing its historical charm.

Zhongyi Post Station (忠义驿站): Visit the Caravan Museum to learn about caravan culture and the history of the Tea Horse Road.

Tang Tea Hall (唐茶殿): Trace the historical origins of the Tea Horse Road.

Huiwang Pavilion (回望亭): Enjoy a panoramic view of the tea mountains and take photos.

Transportation: Take Bus No. 3 to Lameipo Station (腊梅坡站) or drive there.
Admission: Free entry, but additional fees apply for cable cars and sightseeing cars.
Opening Hours: 08:30–17:00.

2. Multi-Day Pu’er Tea Horse Road Tour

For those with more time, combine the Pu’er Tea Horse Road Scenic Area with other attractions like Sun River Forest Park (太阳河森林公园) and Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Garden (景迈山古茶园) for an in-depth tour.

Recommended Itinerary:

Day 1: Explore the Pu’er Tea Horse Road Scenic Area and experience ancient road culture.

Day 2: Visit Sun River Forest Park and connect with nature.

Day 3: Discover Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Garden and immerse yourself in tea culture.

3. Yunnan-Tibet Tea Horse Road Self-Driving Tour

The Yunnan-Tibet route is a classic Tea Horse Road journey, starting from Pu’er in Yunnan, passing through Dali, Lijiang, Zhongdian (Shangri-La), and Deqin, and ending in Tibet.

Highlights:

Dali: Enjoy the scenery of Erhai Lake (洱海) and experience Bai ethnic culture.

Lijiang: Explore Lijiang Ancient Town (丽江古城) and experience Naxi ethnic culture.

Zhongdian (Shangri-La): Visit Songzanlin Monastery (松赞林寺) and experience Tibetan culture.

Deqin: Admire the sacred Meili Snow Mountain (梅里雪山).

Transportation: Drive or hire a car along National Highway G214.

4. Tea Horse Road Hiking Tour

For hiking enthusiasts, choose sections of the Tea Horse Road for an in-depth trek, such as the hiking trails within the Pu’er Tea Horse Road Heritage Park.

Experiences:

Caravan Life: Experience the caravan lifestyle at Zhongyi Post Station.

Tea Culture: Participate in tea picking, tea making, and tea tasting in the Ancient Tea Tree Area (古树问茶区).

Travel Tips

Sun Protection and Warm Clothing: The Tea Horse Road has strong sunlight, so bring sunscreen. The temperature varies greatly between day and night, so pack warm clothing.

Respect Local Culture: Respect the customs of local ethnic minorities during your visit.

Safety First: Pay attention to safety signs and stay within designated areas during hikes.

Conclusion

Yunnan tea culture tourism combines natural scenery, tea culture, and ethnic customs. Visitors can explore ancient tea mountains in Pu’er, Xishuangbanna, and Lincang, experience tea picking and making, and admire the beauty of tea plantations. At the same time, they can visit thousand-year-old tea trees, feel the historical charm of the Tea Horse Road, and savor tea banquets in ethnic minority villages. Yunnan tea culture tourism is not only a feast for the taste buds but also a spiritual journey.

The news was updated on Octobueur 15, 2019. 

A new direct flight linking Mangshi, a border city in southwest China’s Yunnan Province, with Yangon, capital of Myanmar, will be launched at the end of October.

Starting on Oct. 27, the DR5039/DR5040 flight will be operated by Ruili Airlines with a Boeing 737NG aircraft every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The flight departs Mangshi at 9:25 a.m. (local time) and returns from Yangon at 10:30 a.m. (local time).

The route is expected to facilitate exchanges in the fields of economy, culture and tourism between the two countries.

Ruili Airlines operates 61 domestic routes and 10 international routes and serves 108 flights a day, covering 39 cities in China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar.

Source from http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-10/15/c_138473455.htm

Lu Zhuxun普洱茶专家卢铸勋 was born in 1927 in the turbulent times of Guangdong, China. Due to financial constraints, he started learning about business in Macau at the age of 11 and explored various industries.

Later, he moved to Hong Kong, where tea began to play a significant role in his life. However, fate was not particularly kind to him; wars and natural disasters led to a life of hardship. It wasn’t until 1943, with the help of his brother Lu Bingqian, that he was able to return to the stability of Macau.

Lu Zhuxun: Apprentice at Ying Kee Tea House in Macau

At the Ying Kee Tea House in Macau, Lu Zhuxun started from scratch, learning every aspect of tea processing—from picking leaves to transforming them into semi-finished products through numerous steps before producing a high-quality tea cake.

During this period, he had the opportunity to learn from the skilled tea master Lü Xianfen, which had a significant impact on his career. Lu Zhuxun developed a keen palate for tasting various teas and a unique perspective on tea blending.

In the years following 1946, he was assigned to the factory to study the techniques of grinding and deep roasting aged tea, spending seven years perfecting his skills.

Experimenting with Red Tea

During a boom in black tea sales, Lu Zhuxun pondered whether green tea could be converted into red tea through fermentation. He carefully conducted experiments, fermenting ten pounds of green tea with water and then storing it for around 60 days. The resulting tea had a deeper color and, surprisingly, the flavor was comparable to traditionally processed red tea.

The Birth of “Mark Number” Tea

In 1950, Yuan Shoushan from the Tongxing Tea House in Yunnan visited Macau and complained about the shortage of traditional red tea (raw pu-erh) in the mainland due to centralized purchasing. Yuan asked if there was a way to produce traditional red pu-erh tea in Macau. Lu Zhuxun, drawing from his ancestral knowledge and experience with black tea, successfully developed a method for producing red pu-erh tea in Macau.

In 1954, Lu Zhuxun moved to Hong Kong due to the declining tea industry in Macau and established his brand “Fuhua Songpin Mark.” During the 1950s and early 1960s, he produced high-quality pu-erh tea cakes that gained popularity in Hong Kong’s tea market.

Guangdong Fermented Pu-erh Tea

In 1959, Hong Kong tea merchant Zeng Jian sought Lu Zhuxun’s secrets for tea making. Lu Zhuxun shared his methods, leading to the development of Guangdong’s pu-erh tea fermentation techniques. Zeng Jian’s brother, Zeng Qi, joined the Guangdong branch of China Tea Company, which began producing fermented pu-erh tea in Guangdong. Although the flavor of Guangdong pu-erh was not as refined as that from Yunnan, it was preferred in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao region and Southeast Asia.

Yunnan Fermented Pu-erh Tea

By the 1970s, Yunnan tea factories learned the fermentation techniques from Lu Zhuxun and his successors. Guangdong pu-erh tea could not compete with the pure Yunnan tea, leading to a resurgence of Yunnan tea. Lu Zhuxun also collaborated with Nanshan Company to find solutions for sourcing Yunnan tea leaves, and in 1962, he began teaching pu-erh tea fermentation techniques in Thailand.

Modern Pu-erh Tea

In 1973, Yunnan Tea Company sent representatives to Guangdong to study pu-erh tea fermentation techniques. They found that Guangdong’s methods could not be directly applied in Yunnan due to climatic differences. Yunnan factories adapted the techniques to their conditions, leading to the creation of modern pu-erh tea. By 1975, brands like 7452 and 7572 from Menghai, and 7663 from Xiaguan, became popular exports.

Lu Zhuxun established Yutai Trading Company in 1975 and began producing pu-erh tea cakes. In 1976, his tea cakes were sold in Hong Kong, marking a new chapter in pu-erh tea history.

Legacy

Lu Zhuxun played a crucial role in the evolution of pu-erh tea from traditional red tea to modern pu-erh tea. Although he never personally produced modern ripe tea, he is regarded as the “godfather of ripe tea.”

In 2000, Lu Zhuxun retired and wrote about his experiences. He clarified that pu-erh tea is classified into raw and ripe, not semi-fermented. He emphasized that historical tea should not be judged by current standards.

Summary The evolution of pu-erh tea from traditional red tea to the modern ripe tea reflects Lu Zhuxun’s significant contributions. His work bridged the gap between traditional practices and contemporary tea production methods, making pu-erh tea widely accessible and popular.

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