Nestled in the misty peaks of Yunnan's Jingmai Mountain, the Blang ethnic group continues its centuries-old tradition of tea worship – a living testament to China's cultural preservation efforts. At the heart of this story stands Su Guowen, the community's respected elder often called the "last prince," who has dedicated his life to protecting ancient tea-growing traditions while navigating modern economic pressures.
This year marks a pivotal moment for Pu'er tea cultivation as global demand reaches new heights. The unique terroir of Jingmai Mountain, where tea trees grow wild alongside diverse ecosystems, produces leaves that now grace teacups from London to Tokyo. Local authorities report a 17% increase in export revenue compared to 2024, fueling both prosperity and new challenges.
"Every tea tree is a ancestor watching over us," Su told KhabarAsia during a recent harvest ceremony. His hands, weathered from decades of cultivation, carefully inspected leaves that have become as valuable as precious metals in international markets. While modern processing facilities now dot the landscape, Su insists on maintaining traditional organic methods passed down through 13 generations.
The Chinese government's green development initiatives have brought infrastructure improvements to the region while implementing strict environmental protections. However, residents balance these changes with cultural preservation – tea-picking songs still echo through valleys where solar-powered drones now monitor forest health.
As night falls over the tea forests, Su walks among 1,300-year-old trees, their gnarled branches bearing witness to both the Blang people's enduring legacy and China's evolving approach to sustainable development. This delicate dance between tradition and progress continues to shape Jingmai Mountain's future in 2025.
