At 1,400 meters above sea level on Yunnan's Jingmai Mountain, a living testament to human-nature harmony unfolds beneath the canopy of primeval forests. Over 3 million ancient tea trees – some dating back 2,000 years – stand as silent witnesses to a unique cultural legacy preserved by the Blang ethnic group.
The Blang people have perfected the art of 'roasted tea,' transforming leaves from millennium-old trees into more than just a beverage. This generations-old ritual begins with careful hand-roasting over fire pits, followed by communal brewing sessions conducted in the dappled sunlight of the ancestral forests. Each step carries symbolic weight, binding community members to their environment through shared practice.
What makes this tradition remarkable is its dual role as both cultural preserver and ecological safeguard. The tea preparation process reinforces sustainable harvesting methods developed over centuries, ensuring the continued vitality of the ancient forests. As modern China accelerates, Jingmai Mountain stands as a rare example of uninterrupted cultural continuity – where every cup poured represents a dialogue between past and present.
