Banshan – An Imperial Tribute Tea Region Since the Ming Dynasty
Banshan, a historical tribute tea-producing area since the Ming Dynasty, is traditionally inhabited by the Hani ethnic group. Located at elevations ranging from 1,600 to 1,800 meters, Banshan is believed to have been the site of imperial tribute tea gardens as early as the Ming era.
In the 7th year of Emperor Yongzheng’s reign during the Qing Dynasty (1729), Governor-General Ortai of Yunnan and Guizhou established a tribute tea factory dedicated to producing Pu-erh tea for the imperial court. This sparked a widespread craze for Pu’erh tea in the capital. At the same time, the Pu Family tea shop, based in the town of Pu’erh, developed its own tea gardens in Banshan. Due to its exceptional quality, tea from this region was selected by the Pu’erh Prefecture as tribute tea for the royal court.
Legend has it that the popularity of Banshan tea led to soaring demand, which in turn caused harsh exploitation by officials. The local tea farmers, unable to bear the pressure, eventually revolted. The Ching government suppressed the uprising, and the indigenous tea farmers were forced to flee. Many tea trees were destroyed in the turmoil. It wasn’t until modern times that people rediscovered the ancient tea gardens of Banshan—including a legendary tree known as the “King of Tea Trees.”
On April 23, 1977, a survey team from Pu’erh County discovered a large, ancient cultivated tea tree in Banshan. The tree stands 8 meters tall, with a trunk circumference of 215 cm and a diameter of 68.5 cm. Experts estimate the tree to be over 1,000 years old.
The Song Dynasty scholar Li Shi noted in his work Continued Record of Bochang:
“It is said that in the primeval forests of Banshan, where the regions of Liming, Puyi, and Mengxian meet in Pu’erh, there is a sacred tea tree with a trunk so large that it takes three people to encircle it. Nearby, a stone altar had been built for offerings. Though its origin and the ethnicity of those who worshipped it are unknown, local ethnic minorities have continued to venerate the tea tree through generations.”
Tasting Notes – Banshan Raw Pu’erh Tea
Banshan raw Pu’erh tea is known for its honey-yellow, clear liquor. The aroma is pure and long-lasting, while the taste is smooth, balanced, and mellow. It offers a lingering sweetness and sustained salivation, with a delicate fragrance that clings to the teeth and lingers in the mouth.
This tea is particularly suitable for drinkers accustomed to Taiwanese high-mountain teas, and is an excellent entry point for those new to raw Pu’erh.
Upon brewing, the leaf base is fresh green, even, and resilient. Banshan raw Pu’erh can withstand over 15 infusions. Even with extended steeping using boiling water, or simmering in a teapot, the resulting tea soup remains sweet and flavorful.
