The ancient Tea garden of Tianmen Mountain in Yiwu is located in the Manai Village, Maba Upper Village, bordering Laos. After leaving the Yiwu archway and turning right, travel about 52 kilometers towards Jiangcheng, then turn right again at the Zhusha River checkpoint and continue for another 4 to 5 kilometers to reach Maba Village.
The ancient tea trees of Tianmen Mountain, growing deep within the primary forest and given their advanced age, absorb a wealth of nutrients, making them a prime example of an original and naturally flavorful tea. Tianmen Mountain has a unique geographical location, situated near the border between China and Laos. Its name aptly describes its terrain; with an average altitude of around 1,600 meters, the mountain is steep and rugged. From the summit of Tianmen Mountain, one can see rolling mountains shrouded in mist below, a truly breathtaking scene that feels like paradise on earth.
The ancient tea garden of Tianmen Mountain in Yiwu appears close but is actually quite far from the village. Here, towering ancient trees create a first-rate ecological environment. The ancient tea trees are scattered throughout the mountains at altitudes ranging from 1,400 to 1,600 meters. To reach them, one must first ride a motorcycle and then walk; even the closest ones require over an hour's journey. Although it's referred to as a forest, the tea trees are rarely found in continuous patches but rather in small, scattered groups, and the locals themselves have not counted how many such areas there are.
On Tianmen Mountain, you will find many ancient trees, most of which are over a hundred years old and grow freely to great heights, some reaching up to 30 meters. Standing beneath these towering ancient trees, one cannot help but feel small and insignificant in the face of nature. The visual impact is profound.
Since Tianmen Mountain is located on the fringes of the Yiwu tea region, when standing atop Tianmen Mountain and looking out, you will notice that it shares the same mountain range as other famous tea areas such as Baohe Tang, Wan Gong, Dingjiazhai, and Yishanmo, with relatively short linear distances between them. Even when tasting the tea, one can detect similarities with teas from other production areas. For those who frequently enjoy Yiwu teas, the experience won't feel entirely unfamiliar. It boasts a full-bodied taste with low bitterness and astringency, a mellow sweetness, and a distinct character. The tea of Tianmen Mountain can rival the finest ancient tree teas from Yiwu.
Characteristics of the Ancient Tea Trees of Tianmen Mountain
Upon first trying the new tea from the ancient trees of Tianmen Mountain in Yiwu, you'll notice that the dry leaves are dark and slender, emitting a subtle woody aroma. Once brewed, the tea liquor turns a pale golden color, clear and lustrous. Due to the compact structure and rich content of the leaves, they appear less voluminous compared to other raw teas of the same weight.
The water path is delicate and profound: Upon sipping, one can immediately sense the depth and finesse of the tea, along with its elegant aroma. The tea carries a hint of coolness in its fragrance, imbued with a strong natural essence, something that cannot be matched by shorter, cultivated ancient trees. After a longer infusion, the bitterness is pronounced but the astringency is light, dissipating quickly and giving way to a long-lasting and intense aftertaste and salivation, leaving a lasting impression.
Elegant, Soft, and Honey-Sweet: Tianmen Mountain has won the hearts of many Pu'er enthusiasts with its gentle, sweet, restrained, and refined qualities. The forest is quiet and dim, punctuated by the clear chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects. Fallen giant logs covered in fresh, damp moss and ferns with translucent stems create a harmonious and idyllic scene of the primary forest. In summary, “clear broth, soft and smooth taste, prominent honey aroma, and long-lasting return to sweetness” are the core qualities of the ancient tree teas of Yiwu.