One spring afternoon, I visited Suowo to explore its Tea.

The sunlight filtered through the branches of tea trees and splashed onto the ground like a dreamy kaleidoscope. As the breeze blew, the unique fragrance of the ancient tea forest filled the air.

Suowo Ancient Tea Mountain

Mojiang is one of the centers of origin and native places for tea trees, with a long history of tea cultivation, processing, and utilization.

Balou Town's Ancient Tea Tree (Mojiang Tea Ancestor)

Niujiadian Mountain Wild Ancient Tea Tree

According to investigations, the cultivated ancient tea tree in Laozhuzhai Village, Balou Town, has seen 56 generations, which, calculated at 20 years per generation, suggests it is about 1,120 years old; the wild ancient tea tree on Niujiadian Mountain in Lianzhu Town's Maolu Village Committee has a trunk circumference of 320.1 cm, a height of 10 meters, a canopy size of 4 by 4.4 meters, and an estimated age of over 2,600 years; the wild ancient tea trees in Yaye Town's Lushan Xingjie, Yangshen Temple Mountain in Yutang Town, Yao Ren Mountain in Wenwu Town, and Hulaoshi Mountain in Longtan Township are all over a thousand years old.

Yaye Town Wild Ancient Tea Tree

Yangshen Temple Mountain Wild Tea Forest in Yutang Town

Wenwu Town Ancient Tea Tree

There are no precise records regarding when, where, and by whom the artificial cultivation of tea began in Mojiang. Nowadays, the artificially planted ancient tea trees and tea gardens are scattered, mainly located in towns such as Balou, Jingxing, Xinfu, Lianzhu, and Guantong.

Tuantian Town Ancient Tea Tree

Jingxing Town Ancient Tea Mountain

Xinfu Town Ancient Tea Mountain

Historical records show that large-scale tea cultivation in Mojiang started in 1726, making it 280 years old. Due to the superior soil, climate, rainfall, and ecological conditions in Mojiang, it is extremely suitable for tea tree growth. The tea produced here is rich and fragrant, of high quality, and highly favored by consumers. Mojiang's “Xuli Tribute Tea” and “Mi Di Tribute Tea” received this honor in 1726 and 1729, respectively.

In the second year of the Xuantong era (1910), 200 acres of contiguous ancient tea gardens were planted in Xin Hua, Dapingzhai, and other areas of Jingxing, Mojiang, and have been well-preserved to this day, marking the beginning of planned and large-scale tea planting and industry development in Mojiang.

In the 26th year of the Republic of China, the Xin Hua Tea Factory in Jingxing, Mojiang, utilized manual labor, wooden machinery, and biotechnology to process and produce Pu'er tea, sun-dried Green Tea, oven-dried green tea, Yulu tea, Black Tea, and other tea brands, which were sold throughout the province and beyond.

In the “Mojiang County Gazetteer Materials of the Republic of China,” compiled in the 29th year of the Republic of China (1940) by Hu Zhonglin, Zhou Yucang, Yin Xiru, and others, there are records about the tea industry in Mojiang: “The best tea comes from Xuli Village and the official hall street. The ant tea produced in Yong'an Township, though coarse and old, has a pleasant taste and is particularly effective in clearing heat and detoxifying. In total, the surplus production is transported for sale in the provincial capital and in Shiping. However, due to farmers' pursuit of short-term profits and unwillingness to invest in expansion, they have missed out on local advantages, which is deeply regrettable.”

In the book “Mojiang County Gazetteer Draft of the Republic of China” compiled in the 31st year of the Republic of China (1942), a section on the tea industry provides details on tea tree varieties, origins, cultivation methods, manufacturing processes, production volume, and value.

In the “Yunnan Mojiang County Gazetteer Materials” compiled during the Republican era, records about the tea industry in Mojiang County include: “Original number of tea trees: 38,000; newly planted tea trees: 520; types of tea trees: black tea, green tea; the place producing the most tea and its current status: the foot of Mount Zhongyue in the east of the city, Xuli Village, and Tunditang (Jingxing Street) produce the most tea, with no increase or decrease. Xuli Village's tea is currently highly praised in the market; number of people engaged in tea cultivation: 17; cultivation method: after tilling the land and fertilizing, select good seeds, soak them for three to four days, then sow them. After sowing, press the soil firmly and cover with straw and dead leaves to protect the new sprouts. When the seedlings grow to about seven or eight inches tall, transplant them to sloping mountains that have been tilled, spacing each tea plant about ten feet apart, typically in spring. After planting, annual weeding and loosening of the soil are required until the plants can be harvested after three to four years; number of people involved in Tea processing and the processing method: the processing method involves the tea growers themselves. First, pick the leaves, steam them in a bamboo steamer or fry them in a pot, then knead them into balls or form them into square shapes, thus completing the tea-making process; types and names of tea: tea is divided into four kinds: Sishui, Yangchun, Baiya, and Maojian; name: Mojiang tea; production volume, value, and distribution places: the annual tea production is approximately 50,300 catties, with an average price of 30 cents per catty, primarily for local consumption. Xuli Village has better climate and soil than other places but lacks expansion due to the lack of human resources, resulting in much of the land being left fallow.” The book also records that the companies Huashengchang and Guangshengxiang were specifically engaged in the tea trade.

According to the “Mojiang County Government Gazetteer,” in the 28th year of the Republic of China (1939), the Mojiang County Finance Bureau raised 5,000 new currency units, with 1,500 allocated for promoting oil tung and 3,500 for promoting tea. This project was implemented by the Mojiang County Construction Bureau. In the 29th year of the Republic of China (1940), seedlings were grown and trans