Malipo County has a long history, with evidence of human habitation dating back over 4,000 years to the Neolithic era, and verifiable agricultural activities spanning over a thousand years. Tea cultivation is an integral part of Malipo's agricultural practices, and a review of historical records reveals that tea has been passed down through generations as a unique cultural symbol.

Malipo County is located between latitudes 23 and 24 degrees north, with a west-high-east-low topography. The mountains generally run from northwest to southeast, and the area features crisscrossing mountains and rivers, with a distinct climate. This unique geographical environment, combined with ample temperature and humidity, provides ideal conditions for tea growth.

According to historical records, China's southwestern region, including Yunnan Province, is considered the origin and center of tea dissemination. In modern tea industry distribution maps, Yunnan stands out as a core area for high-quality tea production. Within Yunnan's map of premium tea regions, Malipo County occupies a central position.

The existing tea trees in Malipo are divided into recently planted cultivars and wild or semi-wild varieties. Recently planted tea trees can be found across four towns and seven townships in Malipo County. Ancient tea trees are mainly distributed in the townships of Xijin Factory, Mengsong, Tianbao, Babu, Daping, Malipo, and Donggan, covering approximately 30,000 mu (around 2,000 hectares) with around 400,000 trees. These trees range in age from a hundred to a thousand years old, with most being 200 to 500 years old, and nearly a thousand being nearly a thousand years old.

Malipo ancient tea trees.

Clustered together, they form extensive gardens. The main clusters of Malipo's ancient tea trees include the Bazi ancient tea tree cluster, Xin Nanping Mountain ancient tea tree cluster, Longzhu ancient tea tree cluster, and Yangjipeng ancient tea tree cluster. The Chaoping Mountain ancient tea garden in the village of Bazi in Mengsong Yao Township is the largest contiguous ancient tea garden in Malipo County, comprising four village groups: Datang, Shangkuatuo, Xiakuatuo, and Laonanping. This tea garden spans over 2,000 mu (approximately 133 hectares) and contains more than 6,000 ancient tea trees over a hundred years old.

Although the largest ancient tea garden is in Mengsong Township, Malipo's “Tea King” is located on Caoguo Slope in the village group of Huanggua Lu in Tianbao Town. At an altitude of over 1,200 meters, amidst the mountains, the “Tea King,” with a circumference of 2.13 meters and a height of 15.7 meters, stands proudly. To the local people, the “Tea King” is not just an ancient tea tree but also a living fossil imbued with a sense of the divine from ancient times.

Thanks to the warm and humid climate, abundant sunlight, and pollution-free environment, whether recently planted or wild or semi-wild ancient tea trees, Malipo tea boasts a transparent color and a soft mouthfeel, with a sweet aftertaste that retains a touch of wildness. It is also rich in organic elements, making it a superior quality tea.

Yao women from Malipo checking the tea leaves.

Old Mountain produces fine tea, yet few people know about it. Due to historical factors, Malipo County started its economic development relatively late, compounded by poor transportation and limited information flow. As a result, Malipo tea remained largely unknown outside the region. In recent years, Malipo County has accelerated its pace, carefully crafting and passionately promoting its tea. Malipo tea is now gaining national recognition and acclaim for its excellent quality. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has even included Malipo's ancient tea in the “National Gift Catalog,” which was presented to representatives of the United Nations Security Council member states, receiving widespread praise.

In recent years, with growing fame, sales of Malipo tea have steadily increased, and the economic benefits of the industry have become increasingly evident. Tens of thousands of people are directly involved in tea cultivation, processing, and sales, with rising output values each year. The tea industry in Malipo has become a significant channel for increasing farmers' income. (Contributor: Xie Lingsha; Photographers: Yu Jiangang, Yang Yusheng)