The Ancient Tea Plantations of Ailao Mountain in Yuxi and Puer

Two Mountains

Wuliang Mountain and Ailao Mountain are often referred to as “two mountains” in Jingdong County. “Two Mountains” have built two green barriers, which has resulted in two national nature reserves in Jingdong county. There are 87 groups of more than 500 black-crowned gibbons in the reserve, so Jingdong is known as the “hometown of Chinese black-crowned gibbons.”
Chinese: http://www.360doc.com/content/17/0302/09/3257292_633266978.shtml

Ailao Mountain

Ailaoshan Mountain in Jingdong County, Puer

Ailao Mountain, located in the central part of Yunnan, China, is the extension of Yunling to the south. It is the dividing line between the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Hengduan Mountains. It is also the watershed of the Yuanjiang River and the Amo River. The Ailao Mountain is northwest-southeast, with Chuxiong City in the north, and Lvchun County in the south, with a total length of about 500 kilometers. The highest peak of Ailao Mountain is Damoyan Peak in the Shuitang Town of Xinping County, with an elevation of 3166 meters

Ailao Mountain Climate

Ailao Mountain’s main role in the climate is: the cold and weak cold air in winter is blocked by the mountain, and the strong cold air has turned into the spent bullet after turning over the mountain, when the southwest warm and humid air flows eastward, it is blocked by the mountain, forming a mourning that the precipitation in the west and south of the mountain is higher than that in the east, and the temperature is higher than that in the eastern part of the same latitude and the same elevation, and the number of winter cold wave invasion is less than that in the east. Due to the relatively high height difference of the mountain, the vertical distribution of the climate is obvious. From the foothills to the top of the mountain, there are south subtropical, mid-subtropical, northern subtropical, warm temperate, temperate and cold temperate climates. The unique mountain climate gives the vegetation a distinct vertical distribution. The vertical distribution of the southwest slope starts from the Amo River Valley: the altitude of 1100-1800 meters is the Pu’er pine forest and the monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest belt, the 1800-2200 meters is the Yunnan pine forest and the semi-humid evergreen broad-leaved forest belt, and the 2200-2800 meters is the Zhongshan moist evergreen broad-leaved forest belt, above 2800 meters, is the evergreen broad-leaved dwarf forest and shrub zone on the top of the mountain. The vertical series of vegetation on the northeast slope starts from the Yuanjiang River Valley: 500~1000 meters above sea level is the dry-hot valley vegetation belt, 1000~2400 meters is the Yunnan pine forest and semi-humid evergreen broad-leaved forest belt, and 2300~2900 meters is the Zhongshan moist evergreen broad-leaved forest. More than 2,900 meters is the evergreen broad-leaved dwarf forest and shrub zone on the top of the mountain.

Where is the Ailao Mountain Pu’er Tea District

Ailao Mountain Pu’er Tea District is located in the watershed of Yuanjiang and Amo River. The boundary between the two major geomorphic areas of the Yunnan Plateau and the Hengduan Mountains which is also a natural barrier to the climate of the Yunnan. The south branch of Yunling starts from the south of Dali Prefecture and ends in the southern part of Honghe Prefecture. It is nearly 1,000 kilometers long and has an elevation of over 2,000 meters. There are 9 peaks above 3000 meters above sea level and the main peak is 3166 meters. Ailao Mountain was formed during the Yanshan Movement of the Mesozoic. During the Quaternary Himalayan Movement, the ground was lifted on a large scale, and the river was cut down sharply to form a deep-cut mountainous landform. It is mainly composed of sand shale, limestone and various metamorphic rocks. The eastern part of the mountain is steeply cut along the fault zone, and the relative height difference is large, while the west slope is relatively flat. 

What to see in Ailao Mountain

The terrain of Ailao Mountain is steep, with high mountains and valleys, and the altitude varies between 3,000 meters and 600 meters, forming a three-dimensional climate of cold temperate zone, subtropical zone and tropical zone. The mountains are high and deep, the gullies are vertical and horizontal, the mountains are continuous, and the stories of Hani people are hidden in these mountains. The Hani people used their tenacity to create a world-famous and magnificent terrace in this mountain. This land gave the Hani people the material they needed and also gave us a beautiful art sanctuary. Ailao Mountain is the United Nations positioning observation point of “Man and the Biosphere”. The peaks are stacked, the males are living in the mountains, the clouds are steaming, and the weather is majestic and grand, and the original forests are vast. 

The Ancient Tea Plantations in Ailao Mountain, Yunnan

Ailao Mountain is famous in the tea industry. It is similar to the situation in Bangwei Mountain. It is the oldest wild tea tree found in the famous Qianjia Village of Jiujia Township and has a tree age of more than 2,700 years, located at the foot of the slope on the upper side of the dam which is 2,450 meters above sea level. The tree is arbor and erect, the branch is thin, and the tree height is 25.6 meters. On April 10, 2001, all the representatives attending the 3rd China Pu’er Tea International Academic Symposium established the “Tea King in the World, Unparalleled” Monument. The Shanghai World University’s Kenis Headquarters also promulgated the “Zhenyuan Qianjiazhai Wild Ancient Tea Tree – the best of Guinness and they gave the certificate to it.

The artificially cultivated ancient tree tea in Ailao Mountain is mainly distributed in the virgin forest within the range of 2100 to 2500 meters above sea level in Ailao Mountain. Here, the ancient tea tree grows together with more than 1,000 kinds of higher plants such as exotic flowers, nanmu, fir, red peony, Yunnan horse chestnut, camellia, cymbidium, cold blue and pine.

The ancient tree spring tea pure material of Pu’er City in Ailao Mountain is refined by traditional hand-crafting. The shape of the cake is full and round, the knot is tight, the dry tea color is slightly smooth, the soup is clear, the soup is orange-yellow, the fragrance is unique, the glutinous rice smell is fragrant, the fragrance is high and lasting, the taste of the tea is full and rich, the saliva is fast and lasting, and the bottom of the leaf is thick and thick.

Ailao ancient tea tree group

The Ancient Tea Plantations in Ailao Mountain, Yunnan

Ailao Mountain Pu’er tea production area is mainly in the jurisdiction of Jingdong Yi Autonomous County, Puer City, because of the unique terrain of the mountain, and only the western slope is suitable for tea planting. The West Slope Tea Area of ​​Ailao Mountain is mainly distributed in Huashan, Pieluo, Yingpan, Wengang, Dajie Township, Sanying, Taizhong Township Dabaidi, Maidi, Longjie Township Dongshan, and Heshao. This area has an altitude of 1310-2150 meters, 4844 acres of trees aged 50-100 years, and 753 acres of trees over 100 years old. Huashan Dacha Tree is located in the village of Wenshan Village, Huashan Township, on the west slope of Ailao Mountain. At an altitude of 1860 meters, the tree height is 11.5 meters. The local people said that the tree has 11 generations and should be more than 200 years old. It can produce several tens of kilograms of tea every year. The large tea tree of Lingguan Temple in Qili Village, Dajie Township, with an altitude of 1940 meters, a base diameter of 2.12 meters and a tree height of 14.8 meters, is the largest cultivated large tea tree found in Jingdong. Ancient tea tree in the mouth of Dabai Village, Taizhong Township. At an altitude of 1940 meters, the base dry diameter is 2.85 meters, the tree height is 8.9 meters, and the tree heart is empty, which can accommodate an adult and it has been adopted. The Tea Tree in Longjie Township and Sentinel Village, at the altitude of 2,100 meters, the base dry diameter is 190 cm and the tree height is 11.9 meters. There are hundreds of large tea trees around. 

The characteristics of the old tea tea on the west slope of Ailao Mountain

The strips are black and bright, the soup is golden, still bright, the bitterness is obvious, the bitterness turns sweet quickly, the soup is full, and the leaves are yellow-green and uniform.

“Mi Di” ancient tree tea

The Ancient Tea Plantations in Ailao Mountain, Yunnan

“Mi Di” ancient tea is mainly concentrated in Jiepai Village, Xinfu Town. It has an altitude of 1890 meters and an average annual temperature of 16 °C. It is surrounded by clouds all year round. The tea has a long growing season and low yield but good tea quality. The Mi Di Tea Soup is yellowish green and has a little blue scent in the tea. It is very popular among foreign tea merchants. The tea growing in the area of ​​Xinfu Town began in the Ming Dynasty, and it has been 400 years since. Has a long history of tea and a strong tea culture. The Mi Di Tea is a beautiful letter of Xinfu Town. The original tea of ​​the Mi D Tea was originally called “Midi” tea. It was listed as a tribute tea of ​​the Qing Dynasty because of its high quality. After being tribute to the Qing Palace, it was deeply loved by the emperor. Because the “fascination” tea, the emperor was obsessed with it and was called “Attract emperor” tea. This name has been extended to this day.

Xinfu Town “Midi Ancient Tree Tea”, the annual output is only 2 tons, the highest selling 4000 yuan a pound of the Emperor of the ancient tea is mainly concentrated in the territory of Jiepai Village, belonging to the Ailao Mountain. It has an altitude of 1890 meters, an average annual temperature of 16 ° C, a relative humidity of 80%, high mountains and dense forests, surrounded by clouds all year round, good ecological environment, long tea growing period, short picking period, low yield but good tea quality.There are more than 400 tea gardens in the ancient tea tree of the Midi, and there are more than 400 trees with a tree age of more than 200 years. The ancient tea spring tea of ​​this age can be sold for up to 4,000 yuan a kilogram, and there are more than a thousand trees aged 50-60 years. The total annual output of the ancient tea tree is estimated to be 2 tons, with an average of 2,000 yuan/kg, and an output value of more than 4 million yuan. It has become a characteristic industry for Xinfu Town to increase its income.

How to Get to Ailao Mountain

Get To Mojiang

1. By Air

There are no airports in Mojiang County. Visitors can take a plane to Simao District, Puer, then take a long-distance bus to Mojiang County.

2. By Train

Pu’er Railway Station is the middle station of the Yumo Railway under construction and an important station for the Laos section of the Trans-Asian Railway. It is expected to be put into use by 2020.

3. By Long-distance Bus

There is the Passenger Station in Mojiang County for people to get in.

4.Mojiang– Ailao Mountain

Take the taxi or rent a car to go to the Ailao Mountain.

Get in Xinping County

1.By Air

There are no through flights to Xinping. However, there is the general agency of China Airline Company in Xinping. There you can buy air tickets, return air tickets and inquire about anything about air tickets. You can get to Kunming first by air, and then go to Xinping by bus.

2.By Railway

The transportation in Yuxi is very convenient. People can take trains to Yuxi and then take bus to Xinping. It’s the best choice for you to take high-speed rail to Yuxi Station which only takes 30 minutes.

Yuxi Station(玉溪站)

Add:North of 302 County Road, Hongta District, Yuxi City(玉溪市红塔区302县道北)

Yuxi South Station(玉溪南站)

Add:Near 213 County Road, Hongta District, Yuxi City(云南省玉溪市红塔区213国道附近)

3.By Highway

Highways in Xinping area go to all directions. The superhighway, Yuxi-Lincang and the national highways such as No.213 and No. 323 go through the county. The National Highway No. 323 connects the highways from Kunming to Baise.

1.Xinping East Passenger Station (新平城东汽车客运站)

Address: Near Zhenxin Road, Xinping Yi and Dong Autonomous County , Yuxi City, Yunnan Province(云南省玉溪市新平彝族傣族自治县振新路附近)

2.Xinping Yangwu Passenger Station(新平扬武客运站)

Tel: 0877-7080140

Address: Near G213, Xinping Yi and Dong Autonomous County , Yuxi City, Yunnan Province(云南省玉溪市新平彝族傣族自治县G213附近)

3.Xinping Gasa Passenger Station(新平戛洒客运站)

Tel: 13577795787

Address: Near Qidai Avenue, Xinping Yi and Dong Autonomous County , Yuxi City, Yunnan Province(云南省玉溪市新平彝族傣族自治县戛洒大道附近)

4.Xinping Mosha Passenger Station(新平漠沙客运站)

Address: Near Mengqi Road, Xinping Yi and Dong Autonomous County , Yuxi City, Yunnan Province(云南省玉溪市新平彝族傣族自治县孟竜路附近)

5.Xinping Xinhua Passenger Station(新平新化汽车客运站)

Address: 50 meters south of other Gongyu Road , Xinping Yi and Dong Autonomous County , Yuxi City, Yunnan Province(云南省玉溪市新平彝族傣族自治县其他公戛路南50米)

6.Xinping Pingzhang Passenger Station(新平平掌汽车客运站)

address:Near other Pingzhang Township, Xinping Yi and Dong Autonomous County , Yuxi City, Yunnan Province(云南省玉溪市新平彝族傣族自治县其他平掌乡附近)

4.Xinping– Ailao Mountain

Take the taxi or rent a car to go to the Ailao Mountain.

Where to Stay in Mojiang County

Mojiang County is a county under the jurisdiction of Pu’er City, Yunnan Province, China. There are many hotels around Mojiang County. Yunnan Exploration will provide the best hotels for you. The recommended hotels are as follows:

1. Chengwaicheng Inn(城外诚客栈)

Add:  Shuangbao Avenue, Mojiang Hani Autonomous County(墨江哈尼族自治县双胞大道)
Tel: 0879-4234228

2. Huigui Grand Hotel(回归大酒店)

Add: No.69 Xinjian Road, Mojiang Hani Autonomous County(墨江哈尼族自治县新建路69号)
Tel: 0879-4238988

3. Mojiang Suixi Ethnic Inn(墨江随喜民族客栈)

Add: Taiyangcheng, Mojiang Hani Autonomous County(墨江哈尼族自治县太阳城)
Tel: 0879-4337177

4. Beihuiguixian Hotel(北回归线酒店)

Add: North Side of Moon Square, Shuangbao Avenu

5. Shuangbao Hotel(双胞大酒店)

Add: Opposite of Passenger Station, No. 5 Huigui Avenue(回归大道5号客运站对面)
Tel: 0879-4333888

6. Puer Mijing Qiyuan Ethnic Theme Hotel(普洱秘境奇缘民族主题酒店)

Add: Next to Yinghuagu, Shuangbao Xiaozhen, Lianzhu Town, Mojiang County, Puer (普洱墨江联珠镇双胞小镇樱花谷旁)

7. Shuangzixing Hotel (双子星大酒店)

Add: Building 8, No. 1, Phase II, Fenghuang Xincheng, Nanpian District, Mojiang(墨江南片区凤凰新城二期1号8栋)

Where to Stay in Xinping County

3-star

Xinping Shihao Hotel(新平世豪大酒店)
Tel: 0877-7612222 
Add: No.1-2, 2nd building of Shihao Mall, Old Town, Xinping Yi and Dai Autonomous County (新平彝族傣族自治县古城街道世豪大商城2栋1-3号)

Xinping Huitong Hotel(新平惠通酒店) 
Tel: 0877-7010940 
Add: No.5, Xiyuan Road, Guishan Town, Xinping Yi and Dai Autonomous County (新平彝族傣族自治县桂山镇西园路五号)

Xinping Qinhuai Hotel(新平琴淮酒庄) 
Tel: 0877-7019688
Add: Industrial Area, Guishan Town, Xinping Yi and Dai Autonomous County, near Xinping Avenue(新平彝族傣族自治县工业园区桂山片 ,近新平大道)

Others

Yunhe Hotel (云和大酒店) 
Tel: 4008281661; 0877-7776029
Address: No. 1, Xiyuan South Road, Guishan Town , Xinping Yi and Dai Autonomous County (新平彝族傣族自治县桂山镇西园南路1号)

Xinping Ailaoshan Hotel (新平哀牢山酒店)
Tel: 4008281661; 13577774385
Address: Middle Section of Cixi Avenue , Xinping Yi and Dai Autonomous County(新平彝族傣族自治县戛洒大道中段

Best Time to Visit 

Ailaoshan Mountain in Jingdong County, Puer

It is suitable to visit Mojiang County all year round. Like many other cities in Yunnan, Mojiang is a place where the seasons are like spring. There is no cold, no heat, warm and humid, especially suitable for human habitation, so you can go to Mojiang at any time.

Recommended Tour

When you traveling Pu’er, Mojiang County is a good place to be put on your list. It can be joined in whatever your Pu’er tour or Yunnan Tour.

11 Days Yunnan Ancient Tea-Horse Road Tour with Puer and XishuangBanna Tea Culture Exploration

14 Days Southwest Yunnan Tea Culture Tour from Xishuangbanna to Puer and Lincang

Travel Tips 

1.There are many ethnic minorities living here, such as Lahu, Hani, Wa and Yi. Varied customs make it a colorful city. Eating habits, ceremonies, costumes and folk legends can all be a strong attraction for people who are visiting. In addition, the city is the hometown of the well known Puer Tea, and the local people have diversified ways of handling tea, such as bamboo tube tea, cold tea dish, earth-pot tea and baked tea; all of which you should try.

2.Enjoying a plateau monsoon climate at low latitude, the region is affected by the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. Therefore, the main features of its weather are mildness and humidity without strong winds.

3.Special Local Products: Puer Tea, bamboo shoot, edible fungi, purple rice, mango.

e Location Map of The Ancient Tea Plantations in Ailao Mountain, Yunnan