The Achang people are one of the unique ethnic minorities in China's Yunnan Province. Most are concentrated in Longchuan, Luxi, and other counties within the Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, with the remainder distributed in Yingjiang and Longling counties. The Achang have their own language but no writing system. The Achang language belongs to the Burmese branch of the Tibeto-Burman language family within the Sino-Tibetan language family, divided into three dialects: Lianghe, Longchuan, and Luxi. Due to long-term cohabitation with the Han and Dai ethnic groups, most Achang people are bilingual in Chinese and Dai, and are accustomed to using Chinese and Dai scripts. They possess a rich oral literature. The Achang primarily engage in agriculture, and their handicrafts are also highly developed, particularly famous for their skill in forging long knives.
The Achang people enjoy drinking "Bamboo Tea." This bamboo tea blends mountain spring water, the fresh scent of green bamboo, and the aroma of tea, resulting in a very strong flavor.
The method of making bamboo tea is quite unique. First, a section of fresh bamboo about the width of a bowl is cut, one end sharpened and inserted into the ground. Spring water is then added into the bamboo tube, which serves as the tea brewing vessel. Next, dry branches and leaves are gathered and lit around the bamboo tube as fuel. When the water inside boils, an appropriate amount of tea leaves is added. After three minutes, the brewed tea is poured into a freshly cut bamboo container. This bamboo tea combines the sweetness of spring water, the fragrance of green bamboo, and the richness of tea leaves, offering a distinctive and unforgettable taste experience.