Xinzhai Coffee Manor in Baoshan

Xinzhai Coffee Manor is located in Bawan Village (坝湾村), Lujiang Town (潞江镇), Longyang District (隆阳区), Baoshan City (保山市), Yunnan Province. The manor, originally a former village government building, was renovated in 2018. With a total area of 2,000 square meters, it is constructed using 760,000 bricks, featuring a colonnade and vaulted structure that blends industrial retro style with both modern and traditional architectural elements. The manor was shortlisted for ArchDaily’s 2020 “China Architecture Annual Award” (中国建筑年度大奖). The manor integrates coffee planting, processing, tasting, and accommodation, and was recognized as one of Yunnan’s Boutique Coffee Plantations in 2022. Its flagship product, Tiepika coffee (铁皮卡咖啡), has won international gold awards in coffee tasting competitions. Leveraging the “Baoshan small coffee” (保山小粒咖啡) geographical indication, the manor promotes the development of diversified models such as “coffee + educational research” (咖啡+研学) and “coffee + cultural creativity” (咖啡+文创), with over 100,000 annual visitors.

Location and Landscape

The manor is situated in the Nujiang Dry Hot Valley (怒江干热河谷) at the foot of Gaoligong Mountain (高黎贡山) at an altitude of 1,000 to 1,500 meters. The climate here is similar to that of Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee. The manor overlooks Nujiang Gorge (怒江峡谷) and Lujiangba (潞江坝), surrounded by volcanic ash soil coffee planting areas, covering approximately 7,600 acres. In 2024, Lujiangba was recognized as the “northern end of the coffee planting golden belt” (咖啡种植黄金带北端), with an average annual temperature of 21°C and a unique valley microclimate that creates ideal conditions for coffee cultivation.

Architectural Features and Design

The manor was redesigned by architect Hua Li (华黎) and transformed from the old village government office and a cinema. The renovation included three courtyards connected by concrete corridors. The architectural structure uses cross-vaulted brickwork, and 760,000 local red bricks were used to build the manor over a period of three and a half years. The design retains native plants, such as 100-year-old banyan trees (百年小叶榕). The manor has three functional areas:

• Ground floor: Coffee bean storage area (with a constant-temperature warehouse capable of storing 500 tons annually) and a small coffee museum.

• Second floor: Coffee processing workshop and a scenic coffee lounge.

• Third floor: 5 guest rooms and a glass sunroom.

Coffee Industry and Cultural Experience

The manor integrates the full coffee production chain from planting to processing and tasting. The main experience activities include:

• Coffee planting: Visitors can participate in coffee cherry picking at an altitude of 1,400 meters.

• Processing demonstration: Learn about traditional processing techniques, such as sun-drying and water-washing, as well as the roasting process.

• Tasting courses: Offering free tasting experiences of 6 types of hand-brewed coffee, with an average cost of 57 RMB per person.

• Signature cuisine: The manor offers unique coffee-infused dishes, such as coffee fish (咖啡鱼) and coffee braised pork (咖啡红烧肉).

In 2024, the manor hosted over 20 coffee cultural and tourism events, including a coffee brewing competition and a cultural festival. This has helped form a cluster of four boutique coffee plantations in the surrounding area.

Recognition and Honors

• 1958: Tiepika coffee (铁皮卡咖啡) won the “First-Class” award at the London International Coffee Tasting (伦敦国际咖啡品鉴会).

• 1984: Recognized as the “National Coffee Champion” (全国咖啡之冠).

• 1993: Awarded the “Eureka Gold Award” (尤里卡金奖) at the Brussels Coffee Expo.

• 2018: The architectural design was highly praised at the Venice Biennale (威尼斯双年展).

• 2020: Shortlisted for the ArchDaily China Architecture Annual Award.

• 2022: Selected as one of the first “Yunnan Province’s Boutique Coffee Plantations” (云南省精品咖啡庄园).

Coffee Culture and Visitor Services

Coffee Culture Exhibition

• Qiteng Coffee Manor (奇腾咖啡庄园): Offers brewing experiences and SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) certified master courses, featuring sun-dried and washed Arabica beans.

• Coffee Art Library: Renovated from an old primary school, this space serves as both a cultural display and a resting area.

Cultural and Tourism Integration

• Accommodation: The manor offers unique guest rooms with prices starting at approximately 450 RMB per night. Guests enjoy free hand-brewed coffee and breakfast with a view of Nujiang Gorge (怒江峡谷).

• Bonfire Night: Evening performances featuring Dai ethnic dances (傣族舞蹈) and BBQ activities provide an interactive experience for visitors.

Controversy and Suggestions

• Ticket Price Debate: Some visitors have expressed concerns about the 40 RMB entrance fee, feeling it does not offer sufficient value. The main revenue points are the sale of coffee beans.

• Visitor Tips: It is recommended to visit in the afternoon for photo opportunities and combine it with a tour of nearby boutique coffee plantations in the area.

Transportation and Surroundings

• Self-Drive: The manor is approximately a 1-hour drive from Baoshan City (保山市), and can be easily reached by navigation through “Xinzhai Coffee Manor” (新寨咖啡庄园).

• Nearby Attractions: Explore Lujiangba (潞江坝) and the natural landscapes of Gaoligong Mountain (高黎贡山), which can be added to your travel itinerary.

Xinzhai Coffee Manor serves as a model destination for integrating coffee tourism (咖旅融合), combining Yunnan’s boutique coffee culture with ecological tourism, making it an iconic place for visitors seeking both culture and adventure.