In prosperous times, all things grow with the arrival of spring! As the curtain rises on spring, ancient Tea trees that have lain dormant through the winter sprout new buds, heralding the season's arrival in the vast and tranquil Wuliang Mountains.
The Fengguan Mountain, part of the Wuliang range, resembles a feather shape, like a phoenix's crown overlooking all living things in the mountains. There are many stories about Fengguan Mountain, but most are enveloped in the aroma of tea, leaving much unexplored flavor after countless turns through the ages.
The tea trees have their own tales to tell. The “Tea Trees Encircling Field Borders” totem of Fengguan Mountain recounts the most complete Nanzhao tea cultivation model from over a hundred years ago: According to legend, more than a thousand years ago, the descendants of the ancient Pu people, the Nali people, lived in the area around Fengguan Mountain (Fengguan Mountain Group, Chahexi Village, Jingfu Town). During the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdom periods, the Nali people belonged to the Wuman ethnic group and were later classified as a branch of the Yi ethnic group. They revered and loved tea, living side by side with it. Tea trees were planted around houses, in fields, and along field borders, demarcating different plots with their varying heights. As crops changed with the seasons, a beautiful tapestry of colors formed naturally. Despite the passage of time and changes in dynasties, this intercropping of grains and tea has been preserved to this day, leaving over 2,000 mu of ancient tea trees and tens of thousands of century-old specimens, which is known as the most complete and valuable “Nanzhao tea cultivation model.”
The ancient paths from the Nanzhao period can still be faintly discerned, with various ancient tea trees standing proudly every few steps. Under the spring sun, light glints off the tender leaves, while the tea fragrance floats in the breeze. It permeates the simple homes with their blue stone walls and tile eaves, as well as the daily hard work of the people. Before the tea's aroma even reaches your throat, the tranquility of a half-day's respite blends harmoniously with the Landscape, culture, and tea ambiance, soothing your restless soul.
Contributors | Zhou Yun, Zhou Jie, Yang Chaohu