The No. 1 Tea Tree of Daxueshan, Yunnan: 2,700 Years Old
The No. 1 Tea Tree of Daxueshan (大雪山, “Great Snow Mountain”) in Mengku, Yunnan, is a wild ancient tea tree about 25 meters tall and roughly 2,700 years old. It grows at about 2,700 meters above sea level, in what research describes as the largest and highest wild tea plant community in the world. Standing under it is one of the most amazing things I’ve seen on my tea trips.
Where is the No. 1 Tea Tree of Daxueshan?
The tree stands on Daxueshan in Mengku Town, Shuangjiang County, Lincang, in Yunnan Province, China. On one of my trips to Yunnan, I hiked up to see it, and I still want to share it with everyone who loves tea.
How old and how tall is the tree?
- Height: about 25 meters; it’s hard to even see the top.
- Age: about 2,700 years.
- Elevation: about 2,700 meters above sea level where I stood.
According to textual research, the wild ancient tea plant community on Daxueshan in Mengku is the largest and highest in the world. Yunnan is widely seen as one of the birthplaces of the tea plant; read about Camellia sinensis var. assamica and the first person to plant tea trees.
Can you taste tea from Daxueshan?
Yes. Our Mountain Snowmelt is a rare sun-dried Dian Hong black tea from 300-year-old ancient tea trees at 2,680 meters on Daxueshan. Dried in the sun instead of baked, it has a high honey and orchid aroma and a viscous, sweet, smooth cup. Learn more in sun-dried Dian Hong from Yunnan.
How do you brew Mountain Snowmelt?
Brew Mountain Snowmelt with water at 90°C (195°F). For the Chinese gongfu method, use 4 g of leaf per 100 ml of water: the first infusion is 5 seconds, add 5 seconds for each infusion after that, and enjoy up to 10 infusions. For the western cup method, use 0.6 g per 100 ml: the first infusion is 180 seconds, each infusion after that is 60 seconds longer, for 3 infusions in total. These are the same steps as the Brewing Method tab on the product page.
FAQ
How old is the No. 1 Tea Tree of Daxueshan?
About 2,700 years old.
Can you visit the tree?
Yes, but it’s a mountain hike at high altitude, so go prepared and with a local guide.
Where is Mengku?
Mengku is a town in Shuangjiang County, Lincang, in western Yunnan, famous for its ancient tea trees.