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In the world of Puer tea, Yiwu holds esteemed titles like "Birthplace of Puer Tea," "Queen of Tea," and "Living History of Tea." These honors are well-earned, as anyone who truly explores Yiwu tea will discover its glorious past and experience its deceptively powerful character - gentle yet commanding, surprisingly intoxicating.

China's First Imperial Tribute Tea Town
Yiwu, meaning "Land of the Beautiful Snake" in the Dai language, sits atop mountain ridges in Mengla County, just 12km from Jinghong. This ancient tea-horse trading town preserves some of Yunnan's richest tea culture heritage.

Records show Yiwu's tea production dates back to the Tang Dynasty, when it fell under the Nanzhao Kingdom's "Silver Born Tea Mountains" jurisdiction. Historical texts note: "Tea comes from the Silver Born Mountains; the Western Regions have used Puer tea since Tang times."

As the "First Imperial Tribute Tea Town," Yiwu became the epicenter of premium Puer production, distribution and cultural exchange. Legendary tea houses like Tongxinghao, Fuyuanchang and Cheshunhao emerged here. Through changing times, Yiwu has continuously refined its tea cultivation and processing techniques, developing the distinctive "Seven Villages, Eight Hamlets" tea regions.

The Largest of Six Ancient Tea Mountains
Spanning approximately 750 square kilometers, Yiwu's tea region is the most extensive among the six ancient tea mountains, so significant that people say "Of the six great tea mountains, Yiwu claims half."

One Yiwu Mountain, Half of Puer History
Local legends trace Yiwu's tea origins to the Han Dynasty, when Zhuge Liang (Kongming) allegedly taught tea harvesting techniques, earning him the title "Tea Ancestor." By the Tang Dynasty, indigenous Pu people were cultivating tea here.

During the Ming-Qing transition, Yiwu gained fame as its teas traveled along the Tea Horse Road to Tibet and Southeast Asia. The Daoguang Emperor's reign saw extensive road networks radiating from Yiwu to transport tribute tea. During peak seasons, thousands of merchants and mule trains crowded its streets in a vibrant commercial spectacle.

As Puer tea gains global recognition as a healthy, sophisticated beverage, Yiwu tea has reclaimed its position at the pinnacle of Puer appreciation. Its profound historical influence makes it the ultimate destination for tea connoisseurs, offering a sense of belonging through its unique flavor profile.

The "Queen" of Puer Tea
While the saying "Banzhang is King, Yiwu is Queen" is common, few realize the queen predates the king. Yiwu tea appeared in Lu Yu's Classic of Tea long before Banzhang gained recognition.

Banzhang teas impress with their bold, kingly character, while Yiwu teas embody graceful femininity - remarkably smooth with minimal bitterness, intense sweetness, and silky texture carrying floral and honey notes. Aged Yiwu teas develop particularly captivating aftertastes.

This distinctive profile stems from Yiwu's exceptional ecosystem. The tea mountains range from 656 to 2,023 meters in elevation, featuring a unique north-tropical humid monsoon climate with frequent clouds, fertile soil, and abundant rainfall. The acidic red and yellow soils rapidly accumulate and release nutrients, while pristine forests maintain ideal growing conditions unmatched by other regions.

The "Transformation King"
Yiwu tea's hallmark is its exquisite aroma and softness. After 5-10 years (or longer) of aging, it undergoes remarkable transformation - developing robust body, thick texture, and powerful qi. This extraordinary aging potential earns it the title "Transformation King," attracting seasoned Puer drinkers who appreciate its evolving complexity.

Seven Villages, Eight Hamlets
While Yiwu is famous for its smooth, fragrant teas, each of its sub-regions offers unique characteristics:

Mahé Village
No discussion of Yiwu tea is complete without Mahé, considered the region's benchmark. As one of Yiwu's oldest tea villages with imperial tribute tea heritage, Mahé produces teas with broad, dark-green leaves forming tight, glossy strands. The liquor is exceptionally clear and bright, perfectly representing Yiwu's signature "fragrant aroma and smooth texture."

Guafengzhai
This remote Yao ethnic village borders Laos, with tea gardens at 1,700 meters elevation preserving ancient trees in 50 square kilometers of pristine forest. The tea offers natural honey sweetness with restrained power, profound throat resonance, and remarkable thickness - truly a premium standard.

Bohetang
The rising star of Yiwu, Bohetang's name comes from wild mint discovered among ancient tea trees. These rare teas feature long stems and thick leaves producing golden liquor with refreshing sweetness, silky texture, and a distinctive cooling sensation - absolute tea treasures.