Nanpo Laozhai Village of Bingdao Village (Xibanshan) in Mengku Town, Lincang

Chinese Name: 勐库西半山：名寨冰岛南迫
English Name: Nanpo Laozhai Village of Bingdao Village (Xibanshan) in Mengku Town, Lincang
Nanpo Laozhai Village(南迫老寨)
Nanpo old village（南迫老寨） is a Lahu ethnic village. In the past, there were more than 70 families. Because of the high altitude and inconvenient traffic, the Shuangjiang County Government decided in 2000 to move Nanpo old village as a whole to the highway below Bingdao Village. However, some Lahu people could not afford to leave their fields, walnut forests and old tea gardens after moving to the new village, and more than 10 families moved back to the old village. There are many ancient tea plantations in Nanpo, which are widely distributed. One kilometer away from the old village, we can see a series of ancient tea plantations in the forest. There are hundreds of acres old tea plantations in Nanpo old village. The history of this village will not be less than 500 years. Because the processing technology of Lahu people is not good, the dried wool tea processed can not be sold at a price. The Lahu people will carry the fresh leaves picked to the old village in Bingdao for sale.

Location: Nanpo Village is situated in Bingdao Administrative Village, Mengku Town, Shuangjiang Lahu, Wa, Blang, and Dai Autonomous County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province, China. The village is located in a mountainous region.

Scenic and Historical Significance: Nanpo Village is renowned for its ancient tea trees and rich history. It is home to the largest cultivated ancient tea tree in Mengku, which is a significant attraction for visitors interested in traditional tea cultivation. The village is about 5 kilometers from Bingdao Old Village and is located on the opposite side of the mountain. Due to its location, Nanpo Village is not visible from Bingdao Old Village.

Historical Background:

• Original Settlement: Nanpo Old Village, inhabited by the Lahu ethnic group, had over 70 households. Due to its high elevation and poor transportation, in 2000, the Shuangjiang County government decided to relocate the entire village to a new location near the road below Bingdao Village. However, some Lahu people could not bear to leave behind their fields, walnut forests, and old tea gardens, leading to over 10 households moving back to the old village.
• Transportation: There are no roads from Bingdao Village to Nanpo Old Village, and the only way to reach it is by walking along ancient paths, taking about an hour. The path involves crossing over a mountain peak to reach Nanpo Old Village.

Village Features:

• Ancient Tea Trees: Nanpo Old Village is known for its extensive ancient tea gardens, with tea trees distributed widely in the surrounding forests. The ancient tea trees in Nanpo have large trunk diameters and heights, ranking first in Mengku.
• Historical Trees: The village features ancient cypress and big green trees at the village entrance, which are considered sacred by the Lahu people. The presence of such large trees indicates a history of at least 500 years.
• Old Village Conditions: The old village was relocated once, and the current settlement consists of only 20 to 30 wooden and bamboo houses, resembling a primitive settlement. The village has no electricity, and residents use fire pits for cooking and light. The area around the village includes ancient tea gardens and walnut forests.

Tea Cultivation:

• Ancient Tea Trees: Nanpo is renowned for its large, cultivated ancient tea trees, which have a trunk circumference of over 3 meters. The Lahu people do not prune or cut these trees, allowing them to grow naturally.
• Tea Production: Nanpo’s ancient tea gardens span hundreds of acres, with the Lahu people unable to process the tea effectively due to limited technology. They sell fresh tea leaves to tea merchants in Bingdao Village. The Lahu people believe their ancestors brought small tea seedlings from the forests to cultivate.

Nearby Villages:

• Dijie Old Village: Located 5 kilometers from Nanpo Old Village, Dijie Old Village was originally home to over 60 households. Due to its remote location and proximity to primitive forests, the entire village was relocated in 2004. However, over 10 households moved back to the old village by 2007. The village has 50-60 acres of ancient tea gardens, and the Lahu people harvest over 1,000 kilograms of fresh tea leaves annually for sale.

Nanpo Village offers a deep insight into the traditional tea cultivation practices of the Lahu people and serves as a historical and cultural treasure trove for visitors interested in Yunnan’s tea heritage.