Gedeng Tea Mountain in Mengla County, Xishuangbanna

Chinese Name: 勐腊革登山茶区
English Name: Gedeng Puer Tea Mountain in Mengla County, XishuangBanna
ADD:西双版纳勐腊县

Gedeng, one of the ancient six major tea mountains, is located in Mengla County, Xishuangbanna, between the Yibang and Mangzhi tea mountains, covering an area of approximately 150 square kilometers. The name “Gedeng” comes from the Blang language, meaning “high place.” Although it is the smallest of the six major tea mountains, it is renowned for a giant tea king tree and has a historical annual tea production of over 500 dan (a traditional measurement). Historical records from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty indicate the presence of a tea king tree near the Bajiao tree village in Gedeng, which is said to have been planted by Kongming (Zhuge Liang). The spring tea harvest from this tree can yield one dan of dried tea per season. It is said that whatever is sung on the ridge of the tea king tree is echoed by the nearby Kongming Mountain.

Gedeng Tea Mountain is situated between the Yibang and Mangzhi tea mountains and covers an area of approximately 150 square kilometers. The name “Gedeng” indicates the presence of the Blang ethnic group in the region. Despite its smaller size, its proximity to Kongming Mountain and the existence of the giant tea king tree give it a unique status among the six major tea mountains.

History
The ethnic minorities of the six major tea mountains have historically revered Kongming as the ancestor of tea, believing he taught them how to cultivate tea trees. They express their gratitude to Kongming by considering Kongming Mountain as his embodiment. From the new wine house and the tea king tree ridge in Gedeng, Kongming Mountain can be seen; its shape resembles that of Kongming wearing a Taoist crown, with the face of Kongming facing Gedeng Old Village and the right ear towards the tea king tree ridge.

The tea king tree in Gedeng is documented in the Records of Simao and Records of Puer: “There is a tea king tree in Gedeng that is much taller than the surrounding tea trees, and the locals offer wine to worship it before harvesting.” While there are many large tea trees in the six major tea mountains, only this particular tree is officially recognized and crowned, indicating its prominence. It is said that the tea king tree can produce five dan of fresh leaves in a year. The tea king tree is situated near Kongming, and the locals believe it was planted by him. Therefore, before the spring tea harvest, tea farmers from various mountains gather to pay homage to the tea king tree and worship Kongming. Thousands gather on the large lawn, bowing, offering wine, singing, dancing, and praying for the prosperity of the tea mountain and peaceful days. It is said that whatever is sung on the ridge of the tea king tree is echoed by Kongming Mountain across the way.

During the Qing Dynasty, the largest village on Gedeng Mountain was Gedeng Old Village, which sits atop a small mountain and is surrounded by deep ravines on three sides, making it a defensible location. Gedeng Old Village once had hundreds of acres of tea gardens, but they have since been destroyed, and tea trees are no longer visible.

Gedeng Old Village
The most prosperous period for Gedeng Old Village was during the Qianlong era, with two to three hundred households. Around the twentieth year of Qianlong’s reign (1755), a large temple was built in the old village, though its purpose is unclear. In the forty-sixth year of Qianlong’s reign (1781), a Guandi Temple was constructed at the intersection of the road from Gedeng to Yibang, half a kilometer from the old village. The temple covers over a thousand square meters and is built on three terraces, with the second terrace still relatively intact. There is a large stone tablet on the second terrace that commemorates the donations made for the temple’s construction. The inscription on the tablet is faded, but upon closer inspection, it can be seen that it includes phrases like “Ten Thousand Goodness” and lists donors from Jiangsu, Hubei, and Yunnan provinces. The content of the inscription suggests that the temple was built beautifully, and the statue of Guandi inside was adorned with gold powder.

Before the Daoguang period, Gedeng Mountain had over ten thousand acres of tea gardens, extending eastward from Gedeng Old Village to the Xikong Mountain near Yibang and westward to the Niuguntang of Mangzhi. Locals claimed that Gedeng people were once wealthy and boasted considerable resources, making them somewhat arrogant.

The decline of Gedeng Mountain is somewhat related to the turmoil in Mangzhi Tea Mountain. During the Xianfeng period, ethnic conflicts in Mangzhi affected Gedeng Mountain, leading to a significant decrease in its population. Most residents of Gedeng Old Village migrated away, and by the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic, the village was deserted.

Characteristics of Gedeng Puer Tea
Gedeng Tea Mountain has red soil, and the tea trees are of medium to small leaf type. Gedeng ancient tree tea has a relatively soft texture, with less bitterness; it has a pronounced floral aroma, high fragrance, and good aroma at the bottom of the cup. The buds produced in Gedeng are robust, covered in silver fluff, and are popularly known as Gedeng “Da Bai Cha,” making them the preferred raw material for processed tribute tea sent to the imperial court.