Xiaogude Tea Garden of Wuliang Mountain in Nanjian County, Dali
Chinese Name: 南涧县无量山镇古德茶园
English Name:XiaoGude Tea Mountain in Nanjian County, Dali
Location:南涧县无量山镇小古德村子
Yunnan Province has two Gude Villages: one is located in Anding Township, Jingdong Yi Autonomous County, and the other in Wuliangshan Town, Nanjiang County, Dali Prefecture. Today, we focus on Gude Village in Dali Prefecture.
1. Geography of Gude Village
Gude Village is an administrative village under Wuliangshan Town, Nanjiang County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Wuliangshan Town is situated in the middle of the Ailao and Wuliang Mountains, southeast of the county seat, between longitudes 100°28′ and 100°41′ and latitudes 24°42′ and 24°56′. It borders Midu County and Nanhua County in Chuxiong Prefecture to the east, Pu’er City’s Jingdong Yi Autonomous County to the south, Gonglang Town to the west, and Baohua Town to the north. The total area is 251.95 square kilometers.
To reach Gude Village Committee from Nanjiang Yi Autonomous County, drive along the Nanning Expressway, then continue on National Road 215, and finally turn onto Rural Road 043, covering about 55 kilometers.
If you plan to visit Pu’er for tea, Wuliangshan Town is on the way. Driving south from Wuliangshan Town will take you to Jingdong Yi Autonomous County.
Gude Village is a picturesque area with over 2,600 residents and more than 2,300 acres of tea gardens.
The name “Gude” is believed to come from Yi or Dai languages, meaning “village under the mountain ridge,” though local villagers have various interpretations of its origin. Some interpret “Gude” as the English word “good,” symbolizing that Gude Village is a good place and Gude tea is excellent.
2. Cultural Aspects of Gude Village
Wuliangshan Town is a major tea-producing area in Nanjiang County, with tea cultivation being the local pillar industry. The Yi, Han, Bai, and Miao ethnic groups living in Wuliangshan all have tea gardens in nearly every household. The total tea garden area in the town is 30,100 acres, with over 10,000 ancient tea trees.
Nanjiang County is situated on the ancient Dian-Tibet Tea Horse Road and has long been known as the “Hometown of Tea.” Tea cultivation in the Wuliangshan and Ailao Mountain regions began during the Tang Dynasty, and Nanjiang has a long history of tea production and sales.
In 2022, Nanjiang produced 6,980 tons of pressed tea, accounting for 82% of the county’s total tea production. Nanjiang’s Fenghuang pressed tea is sold in Guangdong, Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an, Hong Kong, and exported to Korea and Malaysia, gaining a strong market reputation.
Nanjiang County has vigorously developed its tea industry in recent years, benefiting from a good ecological environment. It has become a key tea-producing county and one of China’s top ten ecological tea-producing counties. With policy support and poverty alleviation measures, the county has expanded its tea gardens to 110,000 acres, with 26,000 tea-growing households, 35 tea enterprises, and 35 tea cooperatives.
The thriving tea industry has significantly increased the income of Gude Village’s residents. Many villagers have bought vehicles, built new houses, and even purchased property in the county seat. Tea is not only a primary source of income but also an important offering for guests, reflecting the villagers’ hospitality.
3. Ancient Trees in Gude Village
Gude Village is home to an ancient tea tree known as the “Thousand-Year Tea King,” located at an altitude of about 2,100 meters in the Wuliang Mountains. This tree often becomes a focal point for tea enthusiasts visiting the village.
King of The Tea Tree in XiaoGudee Village in Nanjian County is over 1,200 years old, about 16 meters tall, with a canopy spreading 9.2 meters in diameter. Its trunk has a diameter of 55 centimeters and a circumference of 171 centimeters, belonging to the cultivated Yunnan big leaf tea variety. Despite its age, this ancient tea tree remains vigorous, with lush branches and leaves. It produces nearly 50 kilograms of fresh tea and over 20 kilograms of tea fruits annually.
According to Guo Wenxing, who manages the ancient tree, the exact age is uncertain but can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi period. In 1940, local landlords and post-liberation tea estates cultivated tea here. Today, the ancient tree is surrounded by newer tea trees and remains lush and vibrant, symbolizing Gude Village.
The “Thousand-Year Tea King” attracts many tea enthusiasts and tourists who come to taste its tea and enjoy the scenery. The tea produced from this ancient tree is known for its excellent aftertaste, unique aroma, and durability, making it highly sought after.
The Wuliangshan tea area primarily consists of cultivated wild ancient tea tree clusters, with some ancient tea trees honored as “Tea Kings.” Villages with ancient tea resources categorize and name their tea to aid in protection and management. While this approach may be somewhat informal, it plays a positive role in preserving ancient tea tree resources.
