The Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests on Jingmai Mountain in Yunnan Province has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, marking the first global recognition of tea culture through this prestigious designation. Located in Pu'er City, this 1,800-year-old agricultural ecosystem showcases sustainable practices developed by the Blang ethnic group, whose roasted tea tradition embodies both cultural reverence and artisanal mastery.
For the Blang people, preparing roasted tea involves a ceremonial process: tea leaves and charcoal are stirred in a hollow gourd ladle before boiling in clay pots. The first cup is ritually offered to Pa Aileng, their legendary tea ancestor, symbolizing gratitude for ancestral knowledge passed through generations. UNESCO noted the site's 'outstanding universal value' in preserving biodiversity and human-nature harmony.
This recognition is expected to boost cultural tourism in Yunnan, home to over 40% of China's tea production. Analysts suggest it may also elevate global interest in traditional Asian agricultural systems, offering new opportunities for heritage-focused economic development across the region.
