Tea Ancestor Hall of China Puer Tea Exhibition Garden in Puer City
Chinese Name:中华普洱茶博览苑-茶祖殿
English Name: Tea Ancestor Hall of China Puer Tea Exhibition Garden in Puer City
Overview:
The Tea Ancestor Hall at the China Puer Tea Exhibition Garden is a significant cultural and historical site that honors the deep-rooted connection between tea culture and the diverse ethnic groups of Yunnan. This hall showcases the integration of local ethnic cultures with tea traditions and highlights the evolution of tea history and cultural heritage in the region.
Highlights:
- Cultural Fusion: The hall offers insights into how various ethnic cultures in Yunnan have merged with tea culture over centuries. It reflects on the essential role of tea in the lives of the region’s people and how it has become integral to their daily existence and traditions.
- Historical Figures:
- Payan Leng (帕岩冷): According to the Bulao ethnic group’s historical records, Payan Leng was a prominent leader who, over a thousand years ago, led his people in large-scale tea cultivation in the Lancang Jingmai and Mangjing areas. The tea he cultivated was named “La,” and today, ancient tea gardens still flourish. Every year on the 7th day of the 6th lunar month, the Bulao people hold ceremonies to honor Payan Leng.
- Lu Yu (陆羽): Known as the “Sage of Tea,” Lu Yu (also known as Lu Yuhongjian) from the Tang Dynasty is famous for authoring the world’s first comprehensive tea book, “The Classic of Tea” (茶经). This work is divided into three volumes, covering various aspects of tea production, preparation, and cultural significance. Although Lu Yu’s book did not include Yunnan as a tea-producing region, his contributions to tea culture are monumental.
- Tea and Ethnic Culture: The hall emphasizes how tea has permeated various ethnic traditions, becoming a symbol of respect, reverence, and essential life element for many communities. The Tea Ancestor Hall serves as a tribute to the figures who played crucial roles in the discovery and cultivation of tea.
Visitor Information:
- Recommended Visit Duration: 20 minutes
- Latitude and Longitude: Longitude 101°6′0.1332″, Latitude 22°38′51.4752″
- Best Photography Location: Front Plaza of the Tea Ancestor Hall
- Best Photography Coordinates: Longitude 101°5′59.5248″, Latitude 22°38′51.4608″
- Photography Tips: The Tea Ancestor Hall is an elegant traditional-style building, and the best photographs are taken from the front plaza. This elevated vantage point offers a good angle for capturing the exterior of the hall. Indoor photography is not permitted, so focusing on the exterior and the surrounding area is ideal.
The Tea Ancestor Hall provides a fascinating glimpse into the history and culture of tea in Yunnan, celebrating the region’s unique contributions to tea heritage and its deep cultural significance.
