Stepping into the Tea garden in Yanzihead Village, Mengpeng Town, Zhenkang County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province, one is greeted by lush and verdant tea trees. The sight of vibrant greenery fills the eye, evoking a sense of peace and tranquility. Tea farmers, with their baskets on their backs, ascend the tea-covered hills and enter the fields. Before long, their baskets are piled high with fresh and plump buds, emitting an invigorating fragrance.
“The ancient tree tea from Yanzihead boasts a rich aroma and a unique taste. Growing above morning mists and among rocky mountains, the tea gardens have a distinct soil structure. Ancient tea trees over 200 years old are scattered irregularly between rocks, with their roots either embracing or weaving through them, coexisting harmoniously,” said Gao Zhengrong, Vice President of the Yanzihead Village Industry Association.
Yanzihead Village leverages its unique ecological climate environment, focusing on ecology, green practices, and quality to sustainably consolidate and upgrade the tea industry as a pillar of its economy. It continuously extends the industrial chain, expands the scale of fine processing, standardizes tea garden management, and comprehensively enhances the quality of tea to boost product competitiveness in the market. A total of 1,135 households with 4,988 people participate in tea production, accounting for 97.42% of all households in the village. Over 60% of the residents are engaged in tea management, processing, and sales year-round. There are two tea companies, seven specialized tea cooperatives, and 86 preliminary processing facilities of a certain scale. The annual output reaches over 200 tons, generating a comprehensive output value of more than 40 million yuan, which accounts for over 60% of the village's agricultural income.
The tea gardens of Yanzihead, preserved in the depths of the mountains, maintain an intact ecological environment. Tea trees grow abundantly across the hills, and the current price per kilogram for individual plants has reached 180 yuan. The Yanzihead Village tea garden is the most extensive and well-preserved ancient tea garden within Zhenkang County, covering the largest contiguous area. In 2025, the Yanzihead Village tea base was certified as a green food base by the state. In 2025, the first tea association in Zhenkang County, primarily focused on tea, was established in Yanzihead Village. The tea industry is a vital component of modern agriculture in Yanzihead Village and serves as a pillar industry and a distinctive wealth-generating sector for rural revitalization.
(Contributors: Wang Chunmei, Lu Yuanhao)
Source: Zhenkang County Media Fusion Center. Information shared here is valuable; please contact us for removal if there are any copyright issues.