In the generally arid weather of Yunnan, this year's Lincang tea region, particularly Mengku, was fortunate to be refreshed by spring rains around Qingming Festival. Although it was artificial precipitation, it caused hail in parts of Xiaohusai and Dahusai, fortunately, the damage was not severe.
Compared to other production areas suffering from drought, the Lincang tea region is undoubtedly more fortunate. This is likely due to the effective organic management measures taken by Shuangjiang County in recent years for its ancient tea trees, which seems to have restored the overall climate environment to the Forest ecology of earlier times. Currently, there are over 36,500 mu (approx. 2433 hectares) of cultivated ancient tea trees that are over a hundred years old in the county. A total of 59 patches covering 8,000 mu (approx. 533 hectares) have been designated as municipal-level ancient tea tree resource protection zones, and 13,600 Bingdao ancient tea trees have been protected under the “one tree, one code” system. The county is also applying for another 38 patches covering 28,900 mu (approx. 1927 hectares) to be designated as municipal-level ancient tea tree resource protection zones. The “Shuangjiang Autonomous County Ancient Tea Tree Protection and Management Regulations” has been revised, and the “Shuangjiang Autonomous County Ancient Tea Tree Protection and Management Implementation Rules” has been established.
The teas from the Lincang area have gained popularity among young consumers in recent years, partly due to the promotion of Bingdao tea, but their flavor and quality are the main factors attracting newcomers. Teas like those from Mengku tend to have relatively light bitterness and astringency with good sweetness, easily capturing new Pu'er tea enthusiasts. This year, supply was abundant, making the overall price lower and reducing the cost of trying different teas.
Due to the chaotic market grading of fresh leaves from Xigui ancient tea trees and construction-related difficulties in the Bangdong production area, Mengku tea became the “traffic king” in the Lincang tea region this year. Shuangjiang County is also focusing on the Mengku tea area to guide the industry towards better development.
For example, this year, Shuangjiang County focused on environmental restoration in Dazhong Mountain. The government not only provided guidance but also helped villagers establish a conscious approach to environmental restoration. Entering Dazhong Mountain evokes a refreshing feeling, as if layers of dust from travel are being peeled away. As you delve deeper into the production area, the air feels increasingly moist and fresh, and visibly, the vegetation along the way has significantly recovered.
This is a general overview of the Lincang tea region this year. The restoration of the natural environment has well ensured the production volume, almost on par with previous years. Although prices in less famous areas have dropped significantly this year, it further highlights the advantages of Lincang teas.
The Shuangjiang County government has also established the “Institute for the Integration of Three Teas,” pushing live broadcasts of famous Village teas led by Bingdao to enhance the “Bingdao Effect.” Under the premise of government endorsement, the “Bingdao” brand, fueled by online buzz, is further authenticated. Guided by the government, the teas of the Mengku tea area converge under the regional brand of Bingdao, each establishing its own value.
The leading role of Bingdao tea among the “Bingdao Series” consumer group has become increasingly evident in recent years. This is clearly seen in the local nicknames given to teas, such as Molie tea being called “Little Bingdao” and Xiaohusai claiming to be “Competing with Bingdao.” This unconscious consumption orientation toward Bingdao is very apparent in the Shuangjiang Mengku tea area. At the same time, there is a clear stratification in consumption, with rational and younger consumer groups constantly discovering high-cost-effective alternatives to Bingdao tea in the Mengku tea area. These teas, priced far below Bingdao, have sufficient quality to fill the gap left by Bingdao in the hearts of tea lovers, providing significant development opportunities for other small production areas in Mengku.
Nowadays, most storekeepers in the ancient town of Mengku in Dianpu are second-generation tea merchants born in the 1990s, gradually becoming the backbone of the local Pu'er tea industry. With the rapidly evolving trading platforms and modern community models, they are adept at social e-commerce and community management. Their grasp of ideas and technology is noticeably superior to the previous generation of tea business operators.
The new model of adopting ancient tea trees, previously limited to small-scale, niche players within enterprises, is now being led by the local government. Many tea enthusiasts can now bring their families and friends to experience tea picking on the mountains. The methods and groups involved have become much broader. Additionally, a tourism trend is quietly emerging in Yunnan's tea areas. Each county, city, and town, and each famous mountain range, is enthusiastically hosting rich and diverse tea harvest festivals. Shuangjiang County promotes tourism through events like the Bingdao Tea Gathering and Bingdao Music Festival, which have brought a noticeable increase in visitor numbers during the Spring Tea season.
In Yongde County, the tea mountains are a lush green, and the tea trees are sprouting new buds. Mangfei has recently become a rapidly rising production area in Yongde. During this year's spring tea harvest festival, Li Xinfu, Party Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) branch of Mangfei Village in Mengban Township, Yongde County, said, “The yield of Mangfei tea may be slightly reduced this year due to weather conditions, but thanks to scientific management, the quality of the tea has not declined but rather improved.”
Yongde County has a long history of tea cultivation and abundant ancient tea tree resources. To date, Yongde County has 252,200 mu (approx. 16,813 hectares) of tea garden area, producing 21,000 tons of raw tea annually, with a comprehensive output value of 3.828 billion yuan. In terms of both quality and scale, it is a high-potential, premium production area.
The Lin (Lincang) – Qing (Qingshuihe) expressway currently under construction is expected to open by the end of the year. It will directly connect Lincang and the Bingdao town, meaning that the geographical location of Shuangjiang County will gradually fade from the sight of tea enthusiasts and tourists. However, access to Bingdao, the pinnacle of Pu'er tea taste, will become increasingly swift. While some tea merchants lament that “last year, even when the tea wasn't available, people could still be seen; this year, the tea is out, but people aren't coming,” it appears like a false spring tea season. However, it is evident that from the government to businesses, the tea people and tea enterprises in the Lincang region are making great efforts to boost consumer confidence.
Original article published in the Pu'er Magazine
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