Mengku Tea Mountains in Shuangjiang County, Lincang
Located in the northern part of Shuangjiang Lahu, Wa, Bulang, and Dai Autonomous County in Yunnan Province, Mengku Town is known as the birthplace of Mengku large-leaf tea and is famously referred to as the “Tea Town.” Mengku Town administers 16 villages, which are further divided into 18 renowned tea-producing areas due to the varying reputations of each village’s tea.
Mengku Tea Mountain, located in Shuangjiang County, Lincang, Yunnan Province, is renowned for its tea plantations and is considered one of the major tea-producing regions in China. The area boasts a rich history of tea cultivation and is famous for its large-leaf tea varieties. The tea gardens in Mengku are known for their high altitude, fertile soil, and ideal climate, which contribute to the distinctive flavor and quality of the tea produced there. This region has become a significant hub for tea enthusiasts and researchers alike, drawn by its unique tea culture and the exceptional quality of its tea leaves.
Origins of Dongbanshan and Xibanshan Mountains in Mengku:
Mengku’s terrain is characterized by two mountains flanking a river and a plain. The two mountains are Bangma Mountain and Ma’an Mountain, the river is the Nanmeng River, and the plain is Mengku Plain. Bangma Mountain stands to the west and Ma’an Mountain to the east, with the Nanmeng River flowing between them. Locally, the region east of the Nanmeng River is called East Half-Mountain, while the area to the west is known as West Half-Mountain. This geographic delineation gives rise to the terms “East Half-Mountain” and “West Half-Mountain.”
Distribution of Ancient Tea Trees in Mengku:
Approximately 80% of Shuangjiang County’s ancient tea gardens, with tea trees over 120 years old, are located in Mengku’s East and West Half-Mountains. Each village in these regions with over 200 years of history has its own ancient cultivated tea gardens. Tea is the traditional backbone industry of Mengku Town, playing a crucial role in the local economy and farmer income. With a suitable climate and soil conditions for tea cultivation, Mengku has developed a superior population of Mengku large-leaf tea trees.
Mengku Tea Varieties: The Mengku tea variety mainly consists of large-leaf tea tree populations such as “Large Black Leaf” and “Large Green Leaf.” These tea plants are vigorous, have distinct trunks, and produce numerous and robust buds and leaves with a high content of substances, leading to high tea yields and making them widely recognized as excellent varieties. The wild ancient tea tree communities of Mengku are found in the mid-altitudes of Daxue Mountain, between 2200 and 2750 meters, covering an area of approximately 12,700 acres. This region is known as the “tea tree gene pool” due to its large area, high altitude, and dense population of wild ancient tea trees.
Dongbanshan:
Comprising the villages of Mangbang, Banuo, Najiao, Bangdu, Nasai (including Zhengqitang and Xiaocun), Donglai, Mangna, and Chengzi. The East Half-Mountain tea region, with an average altitude of 1815 meters and an annual average temperature of 15.58°C, is enveloped in clouds and mist year-round. The area has lush vegetation, ample sunlight, and strong earth energy, making it ideal for tea tree growth. The tea trees here are tall with expansive canopies and dense, hairy leaves. The tea from East Half-Mountain is known for its strong, refreshing character with pronounced bitterness and light astringency, rich and mellow texture, and robust aroma.
Xibanshan Mountain:
Including the villages of Bingdao (encompassing five villages within the Bingdao area), Baka, Dongguo, Dahusai, Gongnong, Banggai, Bingshan, Hudong, Daxue Mountain, and Xiaohusai. Compared to East Half-Mountain, West Half-Mountain receives more sunset light. The tea from West Half-Mountain is noted for its gentle and refined characteristics, with a balanced bitterness and astringency. It features a clear fragrance, well-defined strips, plump and hairy buds, and strong, intact leaves. The tea’s flavor is smooth, rich, and mellow with a quick returning sweetness and salivation effect, leaving a pleasant throat sensation and lingering aftertaste. It is known for its resilience to multiple infusions, often retaining its fragrant, sweet, and smooth qualities even after twenty brews. The thick, smooth tea soup is a hallmark of Mengku tea, especially after a period of aging.
