Najiao Village and Tea Plantation of Dongbanshan Mountain in Mengku Town, Lincang

Chinese Name: 勐库东半山：那蕉村
English Name: Najiao Village of Dongbanshan Mountain in Mengku Town, Lincang

Najiao tea area(那蕉茶区)
There are seven villages of Najiao Villagers Committee (那蕉村委会) along the highway. Each village is over 1700 meters above sea level. In addition to Dazhai, the other six are Lahu villages, each of which has an ancient tea garden.

Beiyin village(背阴寨)
Near the village there is a clear stream with a great flow of water. Tea trees are planted all around the village. New and old tea trees have been mixed up.

Nanbatian(南坝田) and Sanjiacun(三家村)
On the way from Nanba Tian to Sanjiacun Villages, hundreds of old and new tea gardens can’t be finished seeing within in one hour. There is a huge stone in this tea garden, which looks like a cow. So this tea garden is named Shiniu Tea Garden(石牛大茶园). This tea garden used to be a rattan tea garden(藤条茶园). Half of it was transformed and dwarfed more than 10 years ago. However, the shape of rattan tea has gradually emerged in recent years because Lahu people do not like to cut down redundant branches. The area of this ancient tea garden is too large, the labor force of each village is insufficient, so a large number of fresh leaves can not be picked every year. Behind Sanjiacun Village, there is an ancient tea garden called Yanzijiao Ancient Tea Garden(岩子脚古茶园).
There are many ancient tea gardens in Najiao village(那蕉村), but few tea trees are over two or three hundred years old. Before the Han people moved in, the Lahu ethnic people in Najiao Village did not make tea a big industry.

Exploring Najiao Village in Mengku, Yunnan

Najiao Village, nestled in the eastern foothills of Mengku, is renowned for its cultural richness and natural beauty. It falls under the administration of Shuangjiang Lahua Wa Blang Dai Autonomous County, in Mengku Town. The village is predominantly inhabited by the Lahua people, known for their diligence, bravery, and vibrant cultural expressions. They are renowned for their musical prowess and graceful dances, imbued with a distinct ethnic charm and lively spirit.

The Ancient Tea Gardens of Najiao

Located at the highest elevation on the eastern foothills, the ancient tea gardens of Najiao are easily accessible from Mengku Town. The road, though straightforward, reflects the eager anticipation of those heading uphill. Within less than two hours, visitors can reach these expansive gardens, where century-old tea trees of Pu’er variety thrive. These ancient trees yield tea leaves rich in flavor and aroma, characterized by their robust taste and exquisite fragrance.

Characteristics of Najiao Tea

Najiao tea is distinguished by its slightly astringent initial taste, followed by a lingering, mellow finish that few teas from the eastern foothills can match. It is prized not only for its flavor but also for its excellent post-fermentation qualities, making it a high-value choice among ancient tree teas.

The Landscape and Tea Gardens of the East Foothills

The eastern foothills are renowned for their expansive tea gardens, where the landscape of rugged mountains and dense forests creates an ideal environment for tea cultivation. Najiao’s tea gardens, surrounded by misty peaks and lush greenery, benefit from the rich, rocky soil that enhances the growth of tea plants.

Villages and Tea Gardens in the Najiao Tea Region

The Four Villages of Najiao Tea Area

1. Dazhai Village那蕉大寨 Dazhai Village is predominantly inhabited by the Han ethnic group, situated near a large rocky cliff where ancient tea gardens, known as Yanzijiao Ancient Tea Garden, flourish.

2. Shitouzhai Village石头寨 Shitouzhai Village is notable for its spectacular scenery, encompassing vast expanses of ancient and newly planted tea gardens. One of its landmarks is a giant rock formation resembling a bull, hence named Shiniu Ancient Tea Garden.

3. Pianpo Village偏坡寨 Pianpo Village boasts extensive ancient tea gardens that stretch into bamboo forests. It is famously known as Kan Zhushan Ancient Tea Garden, where pigs were historically raised among the bamboo.

4. Beiying Village背阴寨 Beiying Village is distinguished by its abundant water sources and terraced fields surrounding the ancient tea gardens. It features a mix of new and old tea trees, with irrigation channels enhancing the growth of tea plants.

Why Najiao Became the Heartland of the East Foothills

Najiao’s designation as the heartland of the eastern foothills is rooted in several compelling reasons:

Unique Geographic Position

Najiao occupies a strategically unique location within the eastern foothills, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It stands at the geographical center of Mengku’s tea-producing region, celebrated since ancient times for its Pu’er tea’s robust flavor and masculine character.

Cultural Diversity and Rich History

Home to seven natural villages, Najiao hosts a diverse population, including Lahua, Yi, Hani, Lisu, Naxi, and Jinuo ethnic groups. Each village contributes to the rich tapestry of tea culture, with ancient tea gardens dating back centuries. This cultural diversity and historical legacy underscore Najiao’s pivotal role in the tea industry.

Ideal Tea-growing Conditions

Situated at an altitude of approximately 1700 meters, Najiao enjoys optimal conditions for tea cultivation. The combination of elevation, sunlight exposure, and rocky terrain contributes to the unique flavor profile of Najiao tea, characterized by its full-bodied taste and lingering aroma.

Scenic Beauty and Natural Environment

Surrounded by towering cliffs and lush forests, Najiao epitomizes the picturesque beauty of the eastern foothills. Its tea gardens thrive in a natural environment blessed with abundant rainfall and misty mountain breezes, creating the perfect conditions for cultivating premium Pu’er tea.

Conclusion

Najiao Village and its surrounding tea gardens represent a quintessential destination in Mengku’s eastern foothills, renowned for its cultural vibrancy, scenic beauty, and exceptional tea craftsmanship. Whether exploring the ancient tea gardens or savoring the distinctive flavors of Najiao tea, visitors are treated to an enriching experience that captures the essence of Yunnan’s tea culture.

Mengku East Half Mountain: Sanjia Village, Ganlan Mountain, Dashifang

These two mountains, enclosing a valley, have transformed this land into a secluded and independent geographic unit. Most of the ancient tea villages within Mengku’s tea area are situated along an almost continuous altitude line. A winding dirt road, approximately seven kilometers long, twists and turns to connect several ancient villages. This road was constructed on the foundations of ancient paths, weaving through tea forests and village edges. The villages of Mengku are all at altitudes exceeding 1700 meters. Along the winding mountain road, the seven villages of Mengku Village Committee are arranged sequentially: Beiying Village, Dashifang Village, Sanjia Village, Shitouzhai Village, Dazhai Village, Pianpo Village, and Ganlan Mountain Village.

Sanjia Village
Behind Sanjia Village’s ancient tea gardens stretches a vast bamboo forest where the local Lahu people used to graze pigs. Hence, this tea garden is known as Kan Zhuo Shan Da Tea Garden.

Ganlan Mountain
Ganlan Mountain Village belongs to Mengku Administrative Village, Nadao Township, Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Yunnan Province. It is located in the mountainous area east of Mengku Town, 2.00 kilometers from Mengku Village Committee.

Dashifang
Dashifang Village belongs to Mengku Administrative Village, Nadao Township, Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Yunnan Province. It is situated east of Mengku Town, 3.00 kilometers from Mengku Village Committee, and 18.00 kilometers from Mengku Town.

Why has Mengku’s tea area become the hinterland of the eastern half mountain?

The so-called hinterland refers to the central region! Calling Mengku the hinterland of the eastern half mountain certainly refers to the central tea production area of Mengku East Half Mountain; this is quite appropriate! There are several reasons.

Reason One
The renown of Mengku East Half Mountain in the entire Pu’er tea industry is beyond doubt. During the Ming Dynasty, Mengku East Half Mountain’s Pu’er tea was already famous. Tea merchants from all over the world came from afar to admire its reputation. Until today, titles like “Big Leaf Hero” and “Representative of Yunnan Pu’er Tea’s Masculine Beauty” are numerous! East Half Mountain is renowned for its taut vine tea, and Mengku’s vine ancient tea gardens, whether in terms of ecological environment, tea garden scale, or tree age, are extremely rare in East Half Mountain. Hence, it is termed the hinterland of the eastern half mountain; this is reason one.

Reason Two
Mengku’s geographical location is very unique. It is widely known that Mengku’s tea production area is divided into eastern and western half mountains. The eastern half mountain is Maanshan, and the western half mountain is Bangma Mountain. Mengku is located in the middle of the eastern half mountain, adjacent to and dependent on the eastern half mountain, facing the western half mountain. Within Mengku Village, the entire Mengku Basin is in full view; looking up, the snow-capped Bangma Mountain at an altitude of over 3000 meters is close at hand. The landscape of two mountains, one river, and one basin is vividly displayed. Without much thought, the geographical location of Mengku’s tea area is in the heart of the eastern half mountain, hence it is called the hinterland of the eastern half mountain; this is reason two.

Reason Three
Mengku’s tea area comprises seven natural villages with a large population and diverse ethnicities. Apart from Dazhai, there are Lahu villages, Lahu (Hu) people, Yi, Hani, Lisu, Naxi, Jinuo, etc. These ethnic groups have had intricate connections with Pu’er tea from ancient times to the present. The seven natural villages are arranged in order: Beiying Village, Dashifang Village, Sanjia Village, Shitouzhai Village, Dazhai Village, Pianpo Village, and Ganlan Mountain Village. Each village has ancient tea gardens. Ancient trees over 300 years old can be seen everywhere in the tea gardens. Among the many ancient and famous mountains and villages in the eastern half mountain, Mengku’s tea area stands out, hence it is termed the hinterland of the eastern half mountain; this is reason three.

Reason Four
Mengku Village is situated at an altitude of approximately 1700 meters, ideal for tea tree growth. The vine ancient tea trees of the eastern half mountain are known for their tight strands, bright and transparent soup, rich aroma, obvious returning sweetness, full-bodied taste, and rapid returning sweetness. Mengku is no exception. The vine ancient tea trees of Mengku exhibit a dark green color in the strands, golden-yellow and transparent soup, clear aroma, mild bitterness, full-bodied soup quality, and rapid returning sweetness! According to local tea farmers, Mengku’s tea stores well in the later stage and is a relatively cost-effective ancient tree tea. Using Mengku’s ancient tea trees as raw materials can be considered as “a unique showpiece.” Calling it the hinterland of the eastern half mountain; this is reason four.