Top Ancient Puer Tea Mountains in Yunnan

Puer Tea, one of China’s most renowned teas, is beloved for its unique characteristic of having a distinct flavor from each mountain. The diverse terrain and climate conditions of Yunnan have given rise to numerous tea mountains, each producing different varieties of Puer Tea. Below is a detailed introduction to the 18 famous tea mountains of Puer.

Xishuangbanna Tea Region (西双版纳茶区)

Laobanzhang (老班章)

Located in Menghai County (勐海县), Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Laobanzhang is known as the “King of Tea.” The tea here has thick, robust leaves, with large buds and many fine hairs. The flavor is strong, with a slight bitterness, followed by a sweet aftertaste. The fragrance is a blend of orchid and floral honey, with a pronounced wild mountain aroma. The aftertaste is fast and long-lasting, making it a favorite among experienced tea drinkers.

Bulong (布龙)

Also located in Menghai County (勐海县), Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), the tea from Bulong Mountain (布龙山) is made from wild Yunnan big-leaf tea. It has a slightly stronger, stimulating taste with a mild bitterness in the middle and back of the throat. The flavor is rich and intense, offering a contrast to the refreshing taste of Laobanzhang Tea. It is a must-try for tea lovers who enjoy a robust and full-bodied flavor.

Nannuo Mountain (南糯山)

Situated in Menghai County (勐海县), Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Nannuo Mountain (南糯山) is home to over 1,000 hectares of ancient tea gardens. The tea here has a deep, lingering throat flavor and a distinctive honey-like fragrance. The taste is rich, with a smooth and full-bodied tea soup.

Hekai (贺开)

Found in Menghai County (勐海县), Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), the tea leaves are dark and tightly compressed, yielding a bright yellow tea liquor with a slightly bitter taste. Upon drinking, a fruity aroma is released, with a smooth texture and clear bitterness that dissipates quickly. The tea has high endurance, allowing for multiple infusions.

Nakha (那卡)

Located in Menghai County (勐海县), Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Nakha Tea (那卡茶山) has a strong wild flavor with distinct bitterness, followed by a sweet finish. It has a full-bodied tea soup and a high, powerful aroma. Nakha is famous for its rich fragrance and flavor, making it one of the notable Puer Teas.

Yiwu (易武)

Located in Mengla County (勐腊县), Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Yiwu (易武) is part of the ancient six major tea mountains. The tea has a fragrant aroma with soft water and a lively, floral scent. The flavor is pure and intense, with a lingering aftertaste that is refreshing. Many people consider it to represent the “softness” of Puer Tea.

Mahei (麻黑)

Also located in Mengla County (勐腊县), Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Mahei is known as the “second of Yiwu.” The tea is fragrant, with a smooth, mellow, clear, and elegant taste. The floral and fruity aroma lingers, with a bright tea color and a full, delicate taste.

Guafengzhai (刮风寨)

Situated in Mengla County (勐腊县), Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Guafengzhai Tea (刮风寨茶) has a wild, rustic flavor with a smooth texture. The honey-like sweetness is noticeable, and the tea has a long-lasting aftertaste. The tea undergoes significant transformation during storage, with its flavor changing over time.

Mansa (曼撒)

Located in Mengla County (勐腊县), Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Mansa (曼撒) is another representative of the masculine beauty of Puer Tea. It has a sweet, clean taste with a rich tea body and a gentle floral fragrance. Recently, the tea has become lighter, but it still retains its unique charm.

Yibang (倚邦)

Located in the northern part of Mengla County (勐腊县), Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Yibang (倚邦) is one of the six major tea mountains. It is the highest in altitude among the six. Yibang Tea (倚邦茶) is known for its unique fragrance and flavor, similar to that of Ge Deng (革登), with both a floral honey scent and a delicate aroma.

Gedeng Mountain (革登山)

Located in Mengla County (勐腊县), Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Gedeng (革登) is known for its sweet taste, high, sharp fragrance, and long-lasting aftertaste. The tea has a unique wild mountain aroma, and although its production is relatively small, the quality is exceptional.

Mangzhi (莽枝)

Located in the northern part of Mengla County (勐腊县), Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Mangzhi (莽枝) is part of the ancient six major tea mountains. The tea has a unique fragrance, and the taste is rich and smooth with a long-lasting aftertaste. It shares similar flavors with Yibang and Gedeng Tea, with a distinct aroma and taste.

Youle Mountain (攸乐山)

Located in Jinghong City (景洪市), Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Youle is the only mountain in the six major tea mountains that is not situated in Mengla County (勐腊县). The tea from Youle has a unique fragrance, with low bitterness and a good aftertaste. The tea soup is smooth, with a characteristic local flavor.

Lincang Tea Region (临沧茶区)

Bingdao (冰岛)

Located in Shuangjiang County (双江县), Lincang (临沧), Bingdao (冰岛) is known as the “Queen of Puer Tea.” The tea here has a high fragrance, rich sweetness, and a smooth texture. The flavor is sweet and refreshing, with honey, rock candy, and orchid aromas. It has a very low bitterness, with a long-lasting and significant mouthwatering effect.

Xigui (昔归)

Located in the Lincang region (临沧产区), Xigui (昔归) is often called the “Lincang Ban Zhang.” The tea here has a strong, intense flavor, with a rich, full-bodied mouthfeel. It has a deep fragrance and a smooth, mild taste with a strong aftertaste. The flavor is reminiscent of orchids, with a delicate and intricate water route and rapid aftertaste.

Mengku (勐库)

In Shuangjiang County (双江县), Lincang (临沧), Mengku Tea (勐库) is grown in one of the highest-altitude and densest tea populations in the world. The tea has a thick, rich flavor with a unique fragrance. It is smooth and soft, with a sweet aftertaste and a higher stimulating effect.

Bangdong (邦东)

Located in the Lincang region (临沧产区), Bangdong (邦东) Tea has a strong, long-lasting tea aroma, with a perfect balance of fragrance, flavor, and aftertaste. The tea tastes sweet, like eating olives, with a long-lasting throat sensation. It has a unique rock flavor and floral aroma.

Pu’er (Formerly Simao) Tea Region (普洱（原思茅）茶区)

Jingmai (景迈)

Located in Lancang County (澜沧县), Pu’er City (普洱市), Jingmai (景迈) is home to one of the largest ancient tea gardens in Yunnan, with a cultivation history of over a thousand years. The tea is lightly fermented, with a sweet fragrance and a subtle floral aroma. The tea soup is smooth, slightly thin, and has a long-lasting orchid fragrance.

Bangwei (邦崴)

Also in Lancang County (澜沧县), Pu’er City (普洱市), Bangwei (邦崴) is made from wild Yunnan big-leaf tea. The flavor is sweet and full, with a mild bitterness on the tongue and sweet aftertaste. The tea has a layered aroma, with a distinct wild mountain flavor.

These 18 famous tea mountains each offer unique varieties of Puer Tea. Whether it’s the robust Laobanzhang (老班章) or the sweet Bingdao (冰岛), each mountain showcases the distinct allure of Puer Tea. Through tasting, you can experience the local culture and the magical diversity of flavors found in “one mountain, one flavor.”