History of Puer City

Puer (anciently called Buridang, Puri, Pure, Simao - 步日赕、普日、普耳、思茅) is located in southwestern Yunnan Province (云南), along the middle reaches of the Lancang River (澜沧江). Known as the birthplace of tea trees, the hometown of Pu’er tea (普洱茶, Pǔ’ěr Chá), the origin of the Ancient Tea Horse Road, and a key node of the China-Laos-Thailand economic corridor, Puer is one of Yunnan’s most ethnically diverse and ecologically rich prefecture-level cities.

Its history reflects the integration of ancient tribes, Central Plains culture, multi-ethnic coexistence, tea civilization, and frontier governance.

I. Prehistoric to Qin-Han: Homeland of Ailao Tribes and Early Central Plains Contact (Prehistory – 220 BC)

1. Prehistoric Inhabitants: Neolithic Multiethnic Civilizations

During the Neolithic Era, settlements were found in Jingdong (景东), Lancang (澜沧), and Ning’er (宁洱). Indigenous ethnic groups including the Hani (哈尼族, Hāní), Yi (彝族, Yízú), Dai (傣族, Dǎizú), Lahu (拉祜族, Lāhù), and Wa (佤族, Wǎ) began cultivating rice, fishing, hunting, and pottery-making, forming tribal alliances and early multiethnic cultural patterns.

Before the Qin Dynasty, Puer belonged to the core region of the Ailao Kingdom (哀牢国, Āiláo Guó), described in the Book of Later Han (后汉书, Hòu Hàn Shū) as “scattered in valleys, in remote wilderness,” with minimal contact with Central China and largely self-governing tribal communities.

2. Qin-Han: Ailao under Han Rule and Establishment of Yongchang Commandery

• 109 BC: Emperor Wu of Han (汉武帝, Hàn Wǔ Dì) established Yizhou Commandery (益州郡, Yìzhōu Jùn), incorporating Puer into the western Ailao region. At this stage, there were affiliations but no formal county system.

• 69 AD: Under Eastern Han (东汉, Dōng Hàn), Ailao King Liu Mao (哀牢王柳貌) submitted to Han rule. Yongchang Commandery (永昌郡, Yǒngchāng Jùn) was established, covering modern Baoshan (保山), and Puer fully integrated into the Central Plains’ political and cultural sphere. Central Chinese farming, iron tools, and governance began influencing the region.

II. Three Kingdoms to Early Tang: Frontier Governance and Tribal Emergence (220–748 AD)

1. Three Kingdoms to Jin Dynasties: Ningzhou and Yongchang Commandery

• 225 AD: Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Zhūgě Liàng) launched his southern campaign; eastern Lancang River belonged to Yunnan Commandery, western to Yongchang Commandery under the supervision of the Biaojiang Governor (庲降都督).

• 270 AD: Western Jin (西晋, Xī Jìn) established Ningzhou (宁州, Níngzhōu), making Puer part of a centrally-administered province.

During the Eastern Jin to Southern and Northern Dynasties (东晋至南北朝, Dōng Jìn–Nánběi Cháo), Puer saw deeper Han-non-Han integration, though local tribes like the Puzi (濮子部), Wang (望部), and Mang (茫部) maintained semi-independent rule.

2. Sui-Tang Dynasties: Pu Tribes under Jian’nan Dao (剑南道, Jiànnán Dào)

• Sui Dynasty (隋代, Suí Dài): Region known as Pu Tribe (濮部), under Nanning Zhou General Office.

• Early Tang (唐初, Táng Chū): Eastern Lancang River controlled by Puzi Tribe (now Jingdong, Zhenyuan 镇沅, Jinggu 景谷, Mojiang 墨江, Ning’er 宁洱, Simao 思茅, Jiangcheng 江城), while western lands held by Wang and Mang Tribes (Lancang 澜沧, Menglian 孟连, Ximeng 西盟). Governance followed the jimi (羁縻) system of semi-autonomy under imperial oversight.

III. Nanzhao & Dali: Yincheng Commission and Tribal Coexistence (748–1253 AD)

1. Nanzhao Period: Yincheng Commission and Administrative Centers

• 794 AD: Nanzhao (南诏, Nánzhào) established the Yincheng Commission (银生节度, Yínshēng Jiédù) in Jingdong, covering Puer’s eastern region. Western Puer initially belonged to Yongchang Commission, later merged into Yincheng.

• 879 AD: Administrative seat set at Buridang (步日赕, “Waterbend Village” in Dai language) in modern Ning’er, marking Puer’s first formal administrative establishment. Key tribal centers included Weiyuan Zhai (威远赕) in Jinggu, Hepingchuan (河普川) in Mojiang, Qianglangchuan (羌浪川) in Jiangcheng, and Mangtianlian (茫天连) in Menglian.

During this era, Yinsheng Tea (银生茶, Yínshēng Chá), predecessor of Pu’er Tea, was first cultivated. The early Tea Horse Road (茶马古道, Chá Mǎ Gǔ Dào) emerged, making Puer a regional tea distribution hub.

2. Dali Kingdom: Tribal Autonomy and Tea Trade

• Eastern Puer: under Weichu Fu (威楚府), comprising Buridang, Sima, Weiyuan Zhai, Malongdian (马龙甸), Talangdian (他郎甸).

• Western Puer: under Yongchang Fu, known as Luohui Tribe lands.

During Dali Kingdom (大理国, Dàlǐ Guó), tea cultivation scaled up, Buridang Tea (步日茶, Bùrì Chá / Pu’er Tea) was traded via the Tea Horse Road to Tibet and Central China, establishing tea as the economic backbone.

IV. Yuan-Ming Dynasties: Tusi System and Naming of Puer (1253–1644 AD)

1. Yuan Dynasty: Tusi Rule and Pu’er Administration

• 1253 AD: Kublai Khan (忽必烈, Hūbìliè) conquered Dali; Puer integrated into the Yuan Dynasty (元朝, Yuán Cháo).

• Yuan governance: Pu’er region administered via Tusi system (土司制度, Tǔsī Zhìdù), where local tribal leaders ruled hereditarily while central officials were appointed (tuliu bingzhi 土流并治).

• Tea Horse Road thrived; Puer became a trade hub for southern Yunnan to Southeast Asia and Tibet.

2. Ming Dynasty: Naming Puer and Tribal Governance

• 1383 AD: Name changed from Puri (普日) to Puer (普耳). During the Wanli period, “Puer” became official and continues to this day.

• Ming administration: Jingdong Fu, Zhenyuan Fu, Yuanjiang Fu; Tusi rule remained dominant.

• Tea cultivation and trade flourished; Puer tea gained nationwide renown.

V. Qing Dynasty: Establishment of Puer Prefecture and Administrative Reforms (1644–1911 AD)

1. Early Qing: Continued Tusi Autonomy

• Puer divided among Jingdong Fu, Zhenyuan Fu, and Yuanjiang Fu; tribal power strong, rebellions frequent.

2. Yongzheng Era: Prefecture Establishment and Central Oversight

• 1729 AD: Governor of Yunnan-Guizhou, Ortai (鄂尔泰), implemented gaitu guiliu (改土归流) reform, ending Tusi hereditary rule and creating Puer Prefecture (普洱府, Pǔ’ěr Fǔ) in modern Ning’er.

• 1735 AD: Ning’er County (宁洱县, Níng’ěr Xiàn) established as prefectural seat.

• Puer tea became a tribute product to Tibet; the prefecture emerged as the tea trade core of China.

3. Mid-Late Qing: Tea Trade and Ethnic Integration

• Simao (思茅) grew into a major commercial town; Tea Horse Road extended to Southeast Asia.

• Multiethnic settlement (Han, Hani, Yi, Dai, Lahu, Wa) flourished, creating rich folk culture.

VI. Republic of China: Puer Dao and Simao Rise (1912–1949)

1. Administrative Changes

• 1913 AD: Puer Prefecture abolished; Puer Dao (普洱道) established with office in Ning’er.

• 1929 AD: Dao system abolished; counties directly governed by Yunnan Province.

• Simao rose as southern Yunnan’s economic and transport center.

2. Modern Development and Red History

• Pu’er tea trade continued, vital for WWII material transport.

• 1926 AD: CCP Puer Special Branch established, one of Yunnan’s earliest party organizations.

• 1948 AD: DKG forces operated guerrilla campaigns; Dec 1949: Puer peacefully liberated.

VII. People’s Republic of China: Simao Prefecture to Puer City (1950–2026)

1. Administrative Adjustments

• 1950 AD: Ning’er Prefecture established.

• 1951 AD: Renamed Puer Prefecture.

• 1955 AD: Office moved to Simao, renamed Simao Prefecture; Ning’er County renamed Puer County.

• 1970 AD: Simao Prefecture became Simao Region.

• 1993 AD: Simao County upgraded to county-level Simao City.

• 2003 AD: Simao Region abolished; prefecture-level Simao City established (Cuiyun District 翠云区).

• 2007 AD: Simao City renamed Puer City (普洱市); Cuiyun District became Simao District (思茅区). Current structure: 1 District + 9 Counties (Simao District, Ning’er Hani & Yi Autonomous County 宁洱哈尼族彝族自治县, Mojiang Hani Autonomous County 墨江哈尼族自治县, Jingdong Yi Autonomous County 景东彝族自治县, Jinggu Dai & Yi Autonomous County 景谷傣族彝族自治县, Zhenyuan Yi, Hani & Lahu Autonomous County 镇沅彝族哈尼族拉祜族自治县, Jiangcheng Hani & Yi Autonomous County 江城哈尼族彝族自治县, Menglian Dai, Lahu & Wa Autonomous County 孟连傣族拉祜族佤族自治县, Lancang Lahu Autonomous County 澜沧拉祜族自治县, Ximeng Wa Autonomous County 西盟佤族自治县).

2. Contemporary Development: Global Tea Source and Green Economy

• Today, Puer is recognized as the world tea source, China’s tea capital, and a key node in the China-Laos-Thailand economic corridor.

• Industries: tea, coffee, rubber, eco-tourism, green energy.

• Tourism highlights: Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Forest (景迈山古茶林, Jǐngmài Shān Gǔ Chá Lín – UNESCO World Cultural Heritage), Tea Horse Road sites, Puer National Park, Mojiang Tropic of Cancer Landmark Park (墨江北回归线标志园), Ximeng Wa Dragon Lord Holy Site (西盟佤族龙摩爷圣地).

VIII. Historical and Cultural Highlights

• Origin of Tea Civilization: Center of original tea trees, home of Pu’er tea, Tea Horse Road source; Jingmai Ancient Tea Forest recognized as world cultural heritage.

• Long History of Administration: First formal administration under Nanzhao, Ming Dynasty naming, Qing Prefecture establishment, 2007 renaming.

• Ethnic Diversity: Home to 26 ethnic groups; minorities make up over 60% of population, including Hani, Yi, Dai, Lahu, Wa. A model city for ethnic unity.

• Frontier Governance: Qing reform of gaitu guiliu established integration of frontier with central authority; modern role as China-Laos-Thailand corridor key node.

• Red Culture: One of the earliest CCP branches in Yunnan; rich revolutionary heritage.

Puer’s history is a living epic of tea civilization, Central Plains influence, multiethnic fusion, frontier governance, and international trade, reflecting Yunnan’s journey from tribal autonomy to modern green economy.

IX. Pu’er Tea Legacy

• Over 1,700 years ago, Pu’er tea (普洱茶, Pǔ’ěr Chá) reached Tibet, becoming an essential supplement to the Tibetan diet.

• The Ancient Tea Horse Road enabled the natural fermentation of Pu’er during transport on horseback, giving birth to its full-bodied flavor and aroma.

• Pu’er tea has played a vital role for centuries: tribute to Chinese emperors, currency in trade with Tibet, Mongolia, Russia, and even known to northern Canadian indigenous traders.

• Today, premium Pu’er tea per ounce can surpass the price of gold at auctions.