Bada Tea Mountain in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna

Plan your Yunnan Tea Tour? Bada(巴达) is a place name of Dai language, which means the footprint of the immortal. In the west of Bada, there was a huge stone, on which there was a huge footprint, said to be made by the immortal, so the place was called Bada. Located at the southern end of Menghai County(勐海县), Bada is a mountainous township bordering Myanmar(缅甸). It is where the Bulang and Hani ethnic groups(布朗族和哈尼族) inhabit. Bada Tea Mountain(巴达茶山) is one of the oldest tea mountains. There are abundant and precious tea tree variety resources in the vast tropical forest sea, including wild tea tree community and cultivated ancient tea garden.

Chinese Name: 勐海巴达山普洱茶
English Name: Bada Tea Mountain in Menghai County, XishuangBanna
ADD: Bada Township in Menghai County, XishuangBanna (西双版纳勐海县巴达乡)

In Xiaohei Mountain of the Bada Mountain, there are continuous patches of wild tea trees growing. and there is a wild tea tree, which is known as the “King of Tea Trees”(茶树之王), is more than 1,700 years old. It is the largest wild tea tree ever found. The discovery of Bada wild tea trees and the millennium “King of Tea Trees” makes this place an attractive place. In addition, in the Bada Mountain(巴达山) can also see the rare plants and experience the customs of Hani ethnic group.

Bada Tea Mountain is also a popular place for XishuangBanna Tea Culture Travel, you also can find more information about Yunnan Tea Travel here.

The Natural Gifts of Bada Mountain

Bada Mountain is located in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. With its high mountains and deep valleys, shrouded in clouds and mist, the area boasts exceptional natural conditions that foster a wealth of high-quality tea tree resources. As one of the ancient six tea mountains, Bada Mountain has a long history and is renowned for producing superior large-leaf tea. The soil here is rich in organic matter, and the warm, humid climate, along with abundant rainfall, provides an ideal environment for the growth of tea trees. Bada Mountain connects to the Xiding Mountain to the north, borders Daluo Town to the south, is northeast of Mengzhe Bazi, and southeast of Menggang Mountain, covering an area of 316.21 square kilometers. On the small black mountain of Bada, there are contiguous wild tea trees, including one wild tea tree known as the “King of Tea Trees,” which stands 34 meters tall, has a trunk circumference of 3.8 meters, and a diameter of about 1 meter. This is currently the largest wild tea tree discovered.

Echoes of History

To trace the history of Bada Mountain tea, we must mention the ancient tea tree known as the “King of Tea Trees.” This ancient tea tree, located south of Bada Hesong Village, is over 1,700 years old and is the oldest and largest cultivated large-leaf green tea tree discovered in the world. Its existence not only witnesses the long history of tea culture in Bada Mountain but also proves the limitless potential of this land for tea cultivation. Throughout history, Bada Mountain tea has been a sought-after treasure among tea merchants, its unique quality and flavor winning the hearts of countless tea lovers.

The Unique Charm of Bada Mountain Tea

Regarding fresh tea, the fresh leaves from the ancient tea mountain in Bada have several characteristics: the leaves are oval-shaped, the leaf surface is raised, and the leaf texture is soft and yellow-green. The sun-dried green tea produced from this tea region is characterized by its dark, tightly rolled strands. When brewed, the tea presents a golden color with a strong mountain wild aroma, and the leaf bottom is yellow-green.

Bada Mountain tea is known for its unique mountain wild charm and rich flavor. During the spring tea season, when the first rays of sunlight break through the mist and shine on the tender green tea buds, tea farmers begin their busy picking work. These carefully selected one-bud-one-leaf or one-bud-two-leaf picks undergo traditional hand-processing methods such as killing green, rolling, and drying, ultimately becoming the exquisite tea in our cups.

When brewing Bada Mountain tea, the tea soup appears golden and translucent, resembling enticing amber. A gentle whiff of the tea reveals a fresh yet robust mountain aroma, instantly transporting you to the misty tea mountains. Upon tasting, the tea soup is rich and smooth, with a quick and lasting sweetness, accompanied by subtle notes of honey and floral fragrance that linger on the palate. Notably, Bada Mountain tea has excellent steeping durability; even after multiple brews, the tea soup maintains a stable flavor and aroma, reflecting its exceptional quality.

Bada Mountain Tea and Health

In addition to its unique taste and flavor, Bada Mountain tea is rich in nutritional value and health benefits. The tea leaves contain abundant polyphenols, catechins, and other antioxidants that effectively eliminate free radicals from the body and delay aging. Furthermore, the caffeine and theanine in the tea can invigorate the mind and alleviate fatigue. For modern individuals, regularly drinking Bada Mountain tea allows one to not only savor nature’s gifts but also enjoy the pleasures of health and wellness.