Lancang Guchan Tea Company

Company Overview

Lancang Guchan Tea Company, formerly known as Lancang County Guchashan Jingmai Tea Factory, was established in 1966. Since its inception, the company has relied on the millennium-old tea gardens of Mangjing and Jingmai Mountain, as well as the ancient tea tree clusters of Bangwei, as its raw materials. With over 40 years of tea cultivation and production experience, the company produces authentic Pu-erh tea known for its unique aroma, bright red liquor, and excellent quality. In 2005, the Pu’er Municipal People’s Government recognized Lancang Guchan Tea Company as a leading enterprise in the Pu-erh tea industry.

Since the 21st century, Guchan Tea has been increasingly recognized and accepted for its distinctive flavor, superior quality, and health benefits. To share this heritage of human civilization with friends worldwide and allow them to taste the pure essence accumulated over thousands of years, Chairman Du Chunyi and the entire staff of Lancang Guchan Tea Company are dedicated to offering outstanding products to consumers and tea enthusiasts globally. The company’s products are popular across multiple provinces and cities in China and are also exported to countries and regions such as Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, the United States, Poland, and Singapore.

In 2003, the company obtained EU FLO “Fair Trade” certification.

Tea Base

In 2000, the company’s Jingmai Ancient Tea Garden received organic tea garden certification from the international BCS organization. The company also protects and manages the Bangwei Tea Tree King, a large tea tree measuring 11.8 meters in height, with a canopy width of 8.2×9.0 meters and a trunk diameter of 1.14 meters. This tree represents the first discovery of a transitional type between the ancient wild and cultivated tea trees, making it highly significant for the study of tea tree origins, evolution, quality breeding, and tea culture. The company has established a special expert team, led by Associate Professor Zhou Hongjie from Yunnan Agricultural University, to effectively manage and protect the ancient tea trees.

Cultural Development

Pu-erh tea is renowned both domestically and internationally, with its origin in the Simao region and modern-day Xishuangbanna. Lancang Guchan Tea Company plays a significant role in Chinese tea culture. Since 1993, the Simao region has hosted the China Pu-erh Tea Festival, which has promoted the area’s openness to the outside world, expanded investment opportunities, and showcased the profound culture of Pu-erh tea, contributing positively to local economic and cultural development.

The history of Pu-erh tea cultivation dates back a long time. According to the Qing Dynasty’s “Pu’er Prefecture Gazetteer,” tea cultivation began in the Pu’er region over 1,700 years ago during the Three Kingdoms period. The earliest historical reference to Pu-erh tea cultivation comes from the Tang Dynasty, when official Fan Chuo visited the Nanzhao region of Yunnan in the third year of the Xiantong era (862 AD). In his book “Man Shu,” he recorded: “Tea comes from the mountains around Yinshi City, collected and prepared without specific methods. The Mongshe people cook it with pepper, ginger, and cinnamon to drink.” Yinshi City refers to present-day Jingdong County in the Simao region, which was part of the Yinshi military governor’s jurisdiction during the Tang Dynasty and included the current Simao and Xishuangbanna regions.

Historical Background

Historical records indicate that tea production in the Simao region, within the boundaries of the Nanzhao “Yinshi City” area, dates back over 1,100 years. The term “Pu-erh tea” was first mentioned by scholar Xie Zhaozhi in the Ming Dynasty during the Wanli period in his book “Dian Lue,” where he described it as: “Tea used by scholars and commoners alike, steamed into cakes.” The Qing Dynasty’s “Dianhai Yuheng Zhi” noted that: “Pu-erh tea is renowned throughout the world, originating from the six tea mountains of Pu-erh… with tens of thousands of people producing tea in the mountains.”

These six tea mountains were all located within the Simao Hall area of Pu’er Prefecture. During the Qing Dynasty’s Yongzheng period, Pu’er tea presented to the emperor was managed by the local officials in Simao. After 1897, France and Britain established customs offices in Simao, boosting the export of Pu’er tea and revitalizing the Pu’er Tea Horse Road. Historical remnants of this trade include the Pu’er Tea An Tang Tea Horse Road, which still has a 12.5-kilometer segment, and the Nan Ke Li Tea Horse Road, which stretches for about 30 kilometers with stone hoofprints recording the history of tea transport.

Pu-erh tea is made from the large-leaf variety of tea plants native to Yunnan. Its characteristics include long, robust buds, abundant silver hairs, large, soft leaves, and a thick stem with a long internode. The new shoots have a prolonged growth period and good tender-holding properties. Scientific analysis reveals high levels of alkaloids, tea polyphenols, vitamins, amino acids, and aromatic substances. Notable national oncology expert Professor Liang Mingda has scientifically endorsed Pu-erh tea as a “21st-century anticancer health beverage,” presenting his findings at the 1993 China Pu-erh Tea International Academic Symposium, which garnered significant attention from attendees.

Research Value

The ancient tea tree of Bangwei, discovered in 1991 and validated through studies and international conferences in 1992-1993, is a transitional type of ancient tea tree. Standing 11.8 meters tall with a trunk diameter of 1.14 meters, it is over a thousand years old. It has been reported by various media outlets including “China Science News,” “China Tea,” “China Cultural Relics News,” “People’s Daily,” “Agricultural Archaeology,” and international publications such as “Taiwan Hu Zhong Tian Di,” “Hong Kong Wen Wei Po,” “Thailand Xin Zhong Yuan Bao,” “Philippines World Daily,” “Japan Tea Ceremony Magazine,” “India Assam Review,” and “USA Naxi Communication.” The extensive media coverage highlights its global significance.

The Jingmai ancient tea forest, covering thousands of acres, is one of the largest and oldest preserved cultivated tea forests in China. During the Second China Pu-erh Tea International Academic Symposium in February 1997, attendees confirmed that the Blang ethnic group—ancestors of the ancient Pula people—were the earliest to cultivate tea. The term “tea” in Blang language is “la,” which was later borrowed by the Dai and Jino ethnic groups. The Jingmai ancient tea forest is known as a “natural tea museum” and holds high historical and scientific value for studying the development of tea industry in China, ancient tea tree agronomy, the relationship between tea and ethnic groups, ancient large-scale tea cultivation, and ancient tea trade.

Pu-erh tea culture is rich and diverse. Since ancient times, the ethnic groups residing in the Simao region and the surrounding Lancang River basin have discovered the uses of wild tea trees and begun cultivating and utilizing them, initiating a new chapter in tea culture. Various ethnic groups have their unique tea-drinking customs, such as the Hani’s roasted tea, the Yi’s fire pot tea, the Dai’s roasted bamboo tea, the Lahu’s roasted tea and large pot tea, the Wa’s iron plate tea, and the Blang’s boiled bamboo green tea and sour tea. Tea has become a symbol of social progress and friendly relations, used for hospitality, marriage, gifts, rituals, tribute, trade, entertainment, art, medicine, and poetry. Today, tea promotes trade, agriculture, culture, prosperity, and international exchange, strengthening ethnic unity and international connections.

The ancient saying “Pu-erh tea is renowned throughout the world” is indeed accurate. Throughout history and across the globe, many scholars and poets have celebrated Pu-erh tea. Qing Dynasty writer Cao Xueqin included Pu-erh tea in “Dream of the Red Chamber,” Russian novelist Tolstoy mentioned it in “War and Peace,” and Qing scholar Ruan Fu wrote “Record of Pu-erh Tea.” In the Simao region, there are many ancient poems and folk songs related to Pu-erh tea, covering aspects such as tea planting, picking, processing, drinking, and rituals, forming a rich “tea culture phenomenon.”

The published “Collection of Pu-erh Tea Poetry and Couplets” includes 419 poems, 52 couplets, and 8 folk songs from ancient and modern times. Notable works include the Qing Dynasty’s “Pu Tea Hymn,” “Tea Picking Song,” and “Tea Temple Bird Path” poems, as well as contemporary poetry and couplets on tea planting, processing, drinking, and trade. In April 1997, the State Postal and Telecommunications Bureau issued a set of four stamps featuring tea, including one with the Lancang Bangwei transitional ancient tea tree, marking the beginning of tea culture in Chinese postage and promoting it internationally.

The Pu-erh tea art performance team from Simao has performed in Simao, Kunming, and Chiang Rai, Thailand. The team, comprising members from the Hani, Yi, Lahu, Dai, and Wa ethnic groups, presents tea ceremonies emphasizing purity and respect. They showcase tea-related customs and arts, enhancing the elegant reputation of Pu-erh tea.

Bruang Culture

The Bruang people are a great, hardworking, wise, and historically significant ethnic group with a population of about 60,000. They are primarily distributed in the Yunnan regions of Baoshan, Lincang, Shuangjiang, Zhenkang, Yongde, Gengma, Lancang, and Menghai. Mangjing and Jingmai are located in the southern part of Lancang County, approximately 70 kilometers from the county seat. To the north, they neighbor Huimin, to the southeast they connect with Menghai County, and to the west, they are linked with Nuofu. The area is home to the Bruang, Dai, and other ethnic groups. Situated in a subtropical region, the climate is mild, rainfall is ample, and the soil is fertile, with nearly 10,000 acres of cultivated ancient tea forests. The author has conducted multiple investigations in the Mangjing and Jingmai areas.

1. The Discovery of Bruang “Là”

According to Bruang ancestral legends, “Là” (tea leaves) was one of the “wild teas” discovered by Bruang ancestors during their hunting and gathering activities. At that time, “Là” was used as a condiment, which the Bruang called “Dézé.” Even today, people might carry some cold rice and pickled vegetables, chili, and salt when going up the mountain for work, and they use “Dézé” as a dipping condiment. In ancient times, the food consumed by Bruang ancestors was mostly raw or roasted wild animal meat, which often left them feeling overheated and prone to illness. Consuming “Dézé” as a condiment made them feel more comfortable, clearer-eyed, and mentally alert.

As the understanding of “Là” deepened and its uses expanded, demand grew. By 859 AD, the cultivation of “Là” had developed rapidly, starting from planting a few trees around houses to extensive clearing and large-scale planting. People began carrying “Là” to chew on when tired, using it to alleviate fatigue and maintain health. Later, processing methods developed, including frying in a pan, hand rubbing, and sun drying. To harness the medicinal properties of “Là,” people began to roast it in a small pot (known as “Guó ò Là” in Bruang) before boiling it into a tea. At this time, “Là” became an essential everyday drink; not drinking it could lead to headaches. There is a saying among the Bruang, “Going up the mountain without food is okay, but not without ‘Là’.” With social development and progress, production increased, and material exchanges between tribes emerged. Consequently, “Là” became a key product for material exchange with other tribes and a major source of economic income, traded for salt, cloth, and production tools. Records show that Yulian Street and Mengyang Street are major markets for the sale of “Là” by the Bruang in Mangjing.

2. The Origins and Ancient Tea Gardens of the Bruang in Mangjing

According to information provided by Su Guowen, in ancient times, the Bruang and Wa people shared a common ancestor and tribe. The Bruang of Mangjing were originally Wa or descended from the Wa, self-referred to as “Awa,” with the highest leader called “Yanleng.” Before the Tang Dynasty, they lived in the “Mengmao Huo Fa” area (now Ruili) and “Shaoying Shaopa” (in Wa state, Myanmar). After several centuries of migration from Mengmao (Ruili) through Wanting, Bangwa, Anding, Mengdui, Yunding, Gengma, Cangyuan, Shaoying Shaopa (Myanmar), Ximeng, Menglian, Mengma, Meng’a, Jingdong (Myanmar), Daluo, Bada, Xiding, they finally settled in Mangjing.

According to the inscriptions in Dai on the wooden pagoda stele in Mangjing Temple, tea cultivation in Mangjing began in the 57th year of the Dai calendar (695 AD), with over 1,290 years of history. Su Guowen introduced three stele inscriptions in Mangjing: the first records the history of tea cultivation; the second documents the introduction of Theravada Buddhism to the area; and the third records the leaders and the Buddha’s legacy. Only the leaders and the Buddha know the locations of these stele. One stele’s current location is unknown, another was damaged during the Cultural Revolution but still retains some date information. Two books specifically recording the history and tea cultivation of the Bruang in Mangjing exist; one has been passed to Myanmar, and the other was burned during the Cultural Revolution. According to legend, these books were managed by the leaders, reviewed once a year, and only the leaders could read them, while elders could listen, but ordinary people could not. Concerning tea cultivation, the initial tea grown there was “wild tea” (actually cultivated Pu’er tea), which was domesticated into “home tea” by cutting down tea trees and applying fire ash fertilizer for three years. The area originally covered over 8,000 acres. According to Bruang elders, two large tea trees (with diameters of 50 cm and 40 cm, respectively) still exist, though not the largest; two even larger trees were cut down, one in 1956 in Mangjing, and the largest in Jingmai village, which was burned in 1976. Field investigations revealed that ancient tea trees typically have diameters between 10-30 cm, heights of 2-4 m, and are aging, covered with “crab legs” and various parasitic plants. The original ancient tea forest covered over 8,000 acres, with continuous planting by local Bruang and Dai people over recent centuries.

3. Tea Processing and Products of the Bruang in Mangjing

Before liberation, the tea processing products of the Bruang in Mangjing included:

1. “Dry Green Tea” – Known as “Là Gào” in Bruang. This tea was made by frying in a pan, hand rubbing, and sun drying, similar to modern sun-dried green tea.
2. “Large Coarse Leaf Tea” – Known as “Là” in Bruang. This tea used older leaves from tea trees, fried in a pan until yellow, then sun-dried.
3. “Sticky Rice Fragrant Tea” – Known as “Là Hè” in Bruang. This tea was made by adding sticky rice leaves to dry green tea, similar to modern floral tea.
4. “Small Bird’s Beak Tea” – Known as “Là Gè Xìn” in Bruang. Made from younger tea leaves, fried in a pan until yellow, and sun-dried. Due to the young leaves and no rolling, the tea has many white tips. This is a high-grade tea, and in 1950, Bruang leader Su Liya presented this tea to Chairman Mao during a visit to Beijing as part of the first Southwest minority delegation after the establishment of New China.
5. “Compressed Tea” – Known as “Là Guǎng” in Bruang. This tea was made by frying the leaves, squeezing out the moisture, packing them into small bags, pressing them into round shapes, steaming, and then sun-drying. This method is somewhat similar to modern steamed and compressed tea (tuo tea).

Du Chunyu’s Story

In the Pu’er tea industry, there is a legendary figure known as Du Chunyu, the chairperson of Lancang Ancient Tea Co., Ltd. Her name is well-known among tea circles, where juniors call her “Aunt Du” and peers refer to her as “Sister Du.” Her leadership has turned her team into a flagship of Pu’er tea production, with their products setting high standards for quality.

Early Experiences

Du Chunyu’s tea journey began in 1966 when she was just 16 years old. She was selected by the “Donglang Commune” to attend a tea training class in Mangjing and Jingmai (the ancient tea mountains), where she learned tea cutting, nursery techniques, and cultivation methods. This training program was organized by County Chief Li Guanghua, with the aim of boosting the economy of Lancang County. Among the trainees, Du Chunyu was the only female. Despite the harsh conditions, she lived with local villagers, staying warm by a fire pit, and persevered through the three-month training. Her father’s encouragement and guidance were crucial to her determination. He wrote to her, advising her to “excel in life and strive for more,” which motivated her to complete the training and stay on to work at the training class.

Growth and Contribution

After the training, the Cultural Revolution swept through Lancang County, and the original long-term plans faced significant challenges. However, Du Chunyu did not let these difficulties deter her. She continued to pursue her passion for tea and eventually became a leader in the tea industry. Her perseverance and dedication have made her a prominent figure in Pu’er tea.

Achievements and Insights

Du Chunyu often describes herself as exceptionally fortunate, attributing her good fortune to her deep connection with tea. She has dedicated her life to tea, embracing the challenges and joys that come with it. She believes that life, like tea, is initially bitter but ultimately sweet. Despite numerous hardships, she has remained committed to her role, working diligently and honestly to repay the tea that has given her so much.

In 1983, her company, Lancang Ancient Tea Co., Ltd., was awarded recognition by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, a rare achievement among established Pu’er tea producers at the time. This accolade reflects her and her team’s outstanding contributions to the industry.

Du Chunyu’s story is a perfect blend of tea culture and personal perseverance. Her journey not only showcases her passion and dedication to tea but also highlights her significant contributions to the development of the tea industry and her profound understanding of life.

CCTV7 Special Report on Lancang Ancient Tea

Introduction: Is this a remarkable tree? Is this a remarkable person? She has turned ancient trees into money-making assets! How did she accumulate her hundreds of millions in assets? “Wealth Creation” presents the story of “The Money Tree of the Sixty-Year-Old Lady.”

In Jingmai Village, Lancang County, Pu’er City, Yunnan Province, the average age of the tea trees is 400 years, making it a major selling point for this ancient tea forest. At the peak of Pu’er tea’s popularity in early 2007, freshly picked leaves from these trees were once sold for as much as 800 yuan per kilogram. A remarkable figure has been active here, transforming these seemingly ordinary tea trees into assets worth hundreds of millions within just ten years.

On the evening of May 27, 2009, CCTV-7’s “Wealth Creation” program aired a special report on Lancang Ancient Tea Co., Ltd. This feature, produced for the company at no cost following the recommendation of the Yunnan Provincial Government, provided a comprehensive look at the company’s development and the rich tea culture of the region. During the production of the report, the crew worked diligently, visiting the company’s bases, exploring production processes, and interviewing key figures in the company’s history. The broadcast received strong reactions, with tea enthusiasts and traders from across the country and abroad expressing their interest and admiration for Lancang Ancient Tea through phone calls, letters, and online messages.

Honors:

In June 2021, the party branch of Lancang Ancient Tea Co., Ltd. was recognized as an Advanced Grassroots Party Organization in Yunnan Province.

Development History:

1. 1966: Lancang Ancient Tea Co., Ltd. was originally founded as the Jingmai Tea Factory in the ancient tea mountains of Lancang County.
2. 1972: Began manual pressing of border tea (Lancang Brick Tea).
3. 1975: The factory moved from Jingmai to Lancang County town and established the Lancang County Tea Factory.
4. 1978: Started producing Pu’er tea, distributed by the provincial import-export company.
5. 1998: The company was restructured into Lancang County Ancient Tea Co., Ltd.
6. 2006: Renamed to Lancang Ancient Tea Co., Ltd.
7. 2007: On September 8, the Guangzhou branch of Lancang Ancient Tea Co., Ltd. was inaugurated.
8. 2023: On August 22, Lancang Ancient Tea submitted its listing application and updated its prospectus according to Hong Kong Stock Exchange regulations. On December 14, the company announced its application for H-share listing and trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, with a global offering of 21 million shares, priced up to HKD 14.16 per share. The company officially listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on December 22.

Company Honors:

“Survival through quality, development through reputation” is the principle always upheld by Lancang Ancient Tea Co., Ltd.

• December 1983: The Pu’er tea produced by our company, known for its superior quality, was showcased at the Beijing “National Export Product Production Base and Specialized Factory Construction Achievements Exhibition.” It received praise and commendation from the Ministry of Foreign Economic and Trade of the People’s Republic of China, which awarded a certificate in recognition.
• April 2003: At the 6th China Pu’er Tea Festival, our company’s Pu’er tea series, including Grade 4 Pu’er tea, Grade 9 Pu’er tea, Golden Bud Pu’er tea, and Palace Pu’er tea, won quality awards in the National Quality Pu’er Tea Evaluation.
• September 2003: Our Pu’er tea series was awarded “Top Ten Featured Recommended Products” at the 2003 (First) China SME Integrity Brand and Featured Products International Online (Autumn) Expo.
• November 2004: At the First Yunnan International Pu’er Tea Seminar, our “Palace Pu’er” won the Silver Award in the “Kangle Cup” quality evaluation of premium Pu’er tea.
• April 2005: Our aged Pu’er tea and green Pu’er tea won First Prizes at the “World Pu’er Folk Tea Competition” held on April 29, 2005, in Pu’er, Yunnan.
• April 2005: Ms. Du Chunyan, Chairman of Lancang Ancient Tea Co., Ltd., was named a “Top Ten Outstanding Figure in Global Pu’er Tea” by the organizing committee of the 7th China Pu’er Tea Festival and the First Global Pu’er Tea Carnival.
• April 2005: Ms. Du Chunyan was appointed as a member of the Expert Appraisal Committee of the “Yunnan Pu’er Tea Collection and Trading Association.”
• December 2005: Our company’s “Tea” graphic trademark was recognized as a “Famous Trademark of Yunnan Province” by the Yunnan Provincial Administration for Industry and Commerce.
• December 2005: We were honored as a “Trustworthy Unit” by the Pu’er Consumer Association.
• June 2006: At the First Yunnan Rural Entrepreneur Star Exchange Conference, we received the “Entrepreneur Star” title.
• 2007: Chairman Du Chunyan was named one of the “Top Ten Outstanding Figures in Global Pu’er Tea” for the second time.
• 2007: Our company was awarded the title of Yunnan Provincial “Women’s Innovation Demonstration Base” by the Yunnan Provincial Women’s Federation.
• 2008: Du Chunyan was honored as a “Model Worker” by the Yunnan Provincial Federation of Trade Unions and the Yunnan Provincial Women’s Federation.
• 2008: The company was recognized as an excellent enterprise by the Pu’er Municipal Committee and Municipal Government.
• November 2008: Our company won the “Golden Bud Award” for the “Top Ten Most Promising Brands in China Pu’er Tea.”
• 2009: The Lancang Ancient Tea National Marketing Center was established in Guangzhou.

Company Honors (Detailed):

1. 1983: “Pu’er Loose Tea” exported products were praised by the Ministry of Foreign Economic and Trade of the People’s Republic of China and awarded a certificate.
2. 1988-1990: Recognized as a “Yunnan Province Advanced Export Enterprise” for three consecutive years by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Foreign Economic and Trade.
3. 2003: Our Pu’er tea series was awarded “Top Ten Featured Recommended Products” and received quality awards in national evaluations.
4. 2004: “Palace Pu’er Tea” received a Silver Award in the “Kangle Cup” quality evaluation of premium Pu’er tea.
5. 2005: Our Pu’er tea series won First Prizes at the “World Pu’er Folk Tea Competition.”
6. 2005: The dual-green “graphic” trademark was recognized as a “Famous Trademark of Yunnan Province.”
7. 2005: The company was named a “Permanent Member Unit” by the World Tea Culture Exchange Association.
8. 2005: Recognized as a “Trustworthy Unit” by the Pu’er Consumer Association.
9. 2005: Chairman Du Chunyan was nominated as one of the “Top Ten Outstanding Figures in Global Pu’er Tea.”
10. 2006: The dual-green Palace Pu’er tea won the “Tea King” title in the first Pu’er Tea “Tea King” selection, with 100 grams of tea auctioned at 220,000 yuan, setting a new historical value for Pu’er tea.
11. 2006: The company was recognized as an “Advanced Enterprise for Contract Abidance and Creditworthiness.”
12. 2006: Rated as a “Yunnan Province Third-Session Industrial and Commercial Integrity Unit.”
13. 2006: Awarded as an “Excellent Small and Medium Enterprise” by the CPC Pu’er Municipal Committee and Pu’er Municipal Government.
14. January 2007: Our product 0085 tea won the “Top Ten Teas” title at the “2007 First China-ASEAN Green Food Expo and China-ASEAN Tea Culture Expo.”