Hebianzhai Village of Xibanshan Mountain in Mengku Town, Lincang
Chinese Name: 勐库西半山：河边寨
English Name: Hebianzhai Village of Xibanshan Mountain in Mengku Town, Lincang
Location and Environment
Hebianzhai Village (河边寨自然村) is a natural village within the Dahu Sai Village Committee (大户赛村委会) of Mengku Town (勐库镇), Shuangjiang County (双江县), Lincang City (临沧), Yunnan Province. Located in a mountainous area, Hebianzhai Village is 4 km from the village committee and 25 km from the town government. The village covers an area of 4.58 square kilometers, sits at an altitude of 1,800 meters, and experiences an annual average temperature of 17°C with annual precipitation of 1,850 mm. Due to its location in the snowy mountains (大雪山山脉), Hebianzhai Village faces challenges with remote transportation, making tea cultivation and sales a crucial economic activity for its residents.
Tea Production and Reputation
Hebianzhai Village’s tea is part of the Dahusai (大户赛) tea area within the Xibanshan (西半山) mountains. The Dahusai tea area is divided into several villages: Dazhai (大寨), Hebianzhai (河边寨), and Huajiaoshuzhai (花椒树寨). Dazhai Village is primarily Han Chinese, while Hebianzhai and Huajiaoshuzhai are predominantly Lahu ethnic villages.
Hebianzhai Village is renowned in the Xibanshan region of Mengku Town and even across Lincang. Its tea is well-regarded for its exceptional quality, characterized by a balanced flavor, high oiliness, golden and translucent tea soup, prominent golden rice appearance, and a strong floral and fruity aroma. The ancient tree tea from Hebianzhai Village is particularly valued for its rich flavor, distinct layers, lingering aftertaste, and cooling effect on the throat.
Historical Context
Historical studies reveal that the Wa and Lahu people were early inhabitants of the region. The Lahu people have been cultivating tea here for at least 300 years, and the village still has many ancient tea gardens. The tea gardens in the Dahusai tea area were initially established during the Guangxu period, with over 500 acres now in existence, mostly developed by Han people. The tea gardens in Hebianzhai were planted by ancestors, though specific details about the generations responsible for planting are not well-documented.
Translated by Huang Siqi (黄斯琦)
