Introduction to China’s Oldest Tea Mountains
Daxue Mountain: Cradle of Yunnan Large-Leaf Tea
Located in Mengku Town, Shuangjiang County, Lincang, Daxue Mountain is the birthplace of Yunnan large-leaf tea, a premium variety for Pu’er.
Its primitive forests (2200-2750m above sea level) host the highest and densest wild ancient tea tree communities (over 1,000 years old), identified as one of the tea origin centers. Tea made from these trees, ideal for long-term collection, has a rich mountain aroma that a teapot can best release. Due to difficult picking, its output is extremely limited.
Youle Mountain: The Former Top of Six Famous Tea Mountains
Formerly the leader of Yunnan’s six famous tea mountains, Youle Mountain (now called Jinuo Mountain) has a 1,700-year tea planting history. Inhabited by the Jinuo people, it produces high-quality large-leaf tea with yellowish-green buds and abundant fuzz.
Both its sun-dried tea (strong flavor, sweet aftertaste) and ripe Pu’er (mellow, smooth) shine when brewed in a teapot. Unfortunately, ancient tea gardens here are severely damaged, making high-quality tea hard to collect.
Laobanzhang Mountain: The "King of Pu’er"
Nestled deep in Bulang Mountain (Xishuangbanna), Laobanzhang is renowned for its Pu’er, hailed as the "king of Pu’er".
Inhabited by the Blang people (the earliest tea-cultivating ethnic group), its ancient tea trees produce tea with a thick, bold taste and soft aftertaste. A teapot unlocks its unique charm, and its spring tea cakes (obvious white fuzz, plump buds) are rare, highly collectible and hard to obtain.
Summary: Treasures of Ancient Tea Mountains
These three oldest tea mountains in China carry profound tea culture and unique qualities—from Daxue Mountain’s wild origin to Youle Mountain’s historical glory and Laobanzhang’s premium status.
A proper teapot helps tea lovers savor the essence of centuries-old tea trees, making these mountains precious gems in Chinese tea culture.