Pu'er, the largest green land left at the Tropic of Cancer, is the world's Proterozoic of tea plants and the birthplace of Chinese Pu'er tea. It abounds with natural resources and has a sound ecological environment; the time-honored Pu'er tea culture enriches this land with profound historical and cultural essence; the ethnic compatriots inhabiting this miraculous land have been stroking the cords of our hearts with their quaint and vigorous culture and brilliant ethnic custom.
Huimin Town, Lancang County, is the home of the well-known thousand-year-old Jingmai and Mengjing tea plantations of 1,647 acres.
The plantations are the foundation for Pu'er tea capital, and Chinese tea Towns, and the essence of the tea culture of Yunnan, of China, and even of the world. According to the local historical records, the naturalization and culturing of the ancient tea fields dates back to as early as 180 AD. Besides, by 1139 AD, there had appeared marketplaces for tea trade - 'Gahong'. Ever since the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), the local tea had been the tribute to the emperor. The well-renowned Pu'er tea has found its way to the market not only in every corner of China, but in Southeast Asian countries.
Once inside Jingmai Mountain, you will find yourself in a fairyland on earth where mountains and villages, ancient tea and houses, forests and habitants, all these things embrace each other, and where man and nature coexist harmoniously. The tea plants scattered amidst the dense primitive forest in the tea mountain, for the weathering of ages, are still bursting with life. It is safe to say that they are the best-preserved cultured ancient tea plantations in the world.
People and Life
The dominating ethnic groups here are Lagu and Bulang and the long deep affection of Bulang people for Pu'er tea was obvious. In ancient times, Bulanglang people in Mengjing were called 'Pu people,' and the most renowned national hero of theirs was the Tea forefather Pa Ailang. For their strength, bravery, fortitude, and tactfulness, King Nanzhao often forced Pu people to battle. According to historical records, Pa Ailang was tall, aggressive, courageous and resourceful. King Dai thought much of him and intended to marry his seventh daughter to him and even to make him the successor to the throne. Still, Pa Ailang insisted going back to his native land Bulang Mountain to lead the local people in building a better homeland. On his death, he left the will to his offspring to the effect that he would not give them any money, jewelry, or grain, but tea plants that would last forever. Since then, the tea fields have been passing from generation to generation, growing ever vigorously. This is the origin of the thousand-year-old 10,000 mu (1.647 acres) ancient tea plantations.
The sacrificial ceremony of Bulang ethnic group to honor their Tea Forefather is held every year. The Solemn ceremony expresses Bulang people's good wish for peace, prosperity through diligent work.
Never miss to taste the regionally flavored Lagu local delicacies: tasty chicken gruel, sweet sticky rice Baba, special mellow roasts, and homemade rice wine of the local villagers. Beautiful girls and sturdy young men were holding wine cups and coming up, singing their folksong 'Happy Lagu'.
Ximen Wa Ethnic Group Autonomous County is regarded as a must-visit destination. The mountains roads were all turns and twists all the way, but they were all smooth tar roads. The County seat of Ximeng, a towering wooden drum came in sight. It turned out to be the Wooden Drum Wa people regard as the holy object to communicate with heaven and Guardian Angel of their mountain castle.
The Wooden-drum Dance, namely ' Keluo' in the words of the local Wa people, is a holy object of Wa ethnic group. About its origin, there are many stories. Anyway, the wood drum has become the center of every event, and on every important religious occasion, people in the castle will hold a sacrificial ceremony to pay tribute to the wooden drum. The bulky shell of the drum is symbolic of strength, and the chiseled drum groove looks like the female productive organ.
Mengsuo Dragon Pond and Muyiji Holy Valley is well-known to all. At dawn, Mengsuo Dragon Pond was serene and misty. The lake, green and clear, mirroring green hills and venerable tress in it, was as dreamy as wisps of mist. The surrounding virgin woods were rush, lying quietly in a shroud of mystery. Clear water and blue sky, swaying tree shadows, swarms of fish sailing along, and birds chirping sweetly.Here, it is a fairyland on earth where 'The town is in woods, the woods are amidst water, and the waters in the town.'
They mysterious and tranquil Muyiji Holy Valley is a holy land where Wa people pray for health and good harvest. According to legend, ever since the ancestors of Wa people came out of Sigang (cliff cave, which Wa people regard as the earliest living space for man), they began a life by picking wild fruits and hunting. Later, the local people found that wounded beasts would come here in the valley to heal their wounds, and their scars would soon disappear miraculously. Then imitating these animals, people would come here to pray for peace and health when they were under the weather or in any distress, and in most cases, their wishes would come true. Later on, the discovery of the holy trees, holy figures, and holy ponds here convinced then that this is the residence of the Almighty Muyiji (Wa people believe in Muyiji as the God that has created all life in the universe).
