Kunlu Mountain: The Imperial Tea Garden
The name "Kunlu" originates from the Dai language. "Lu" refers to birds and fowls, thus "Kunlu" describes a mountain hollow inhabited by numerous birds—a paradise for flora and fauna—and does not mean "trapped deer." Legend holds that Kunlu Mountain is the birthplace of tea.
Historical records indicate that in the 7th year of Emperor Yongzheng's reign (1729), the Viceroy of Yunnan and Guizhou, Ortai, established the Pu'erh Prefecture in present-day Ning'er County. A tea bureau and a tribute tea workshop were set up within the prefecture. Each spring, at the commencement of the tea harvest, soldiers were dispatched to the mountain to supervise the entire process from plucking to production. The finest spring bud "daughter teas" were meticulously refined into compressed forms (cakes, bricks) and tea paste, exclusively for the imperial court. Consequently, the ancient tea gardens of Kunlu Mountain were designated as the Royal Tribute Tea Garden. Ordinary families could not access this tea; many were not even aware of its production here, which likely explains Kunlu Mountain's relative obscurity in its early days. Among the ancient tea gardens in Yunnan with verifiable historical records as imperial sources are Kunlu Mountain, Jingmai Mountain, and Mansong.
Kunlu Mountain is a branch of the Wuliang Mountain range, located within the Lushan Natural Village, Kuanhong Village Committee, Ning'er County, Pu'erh City. Its elevation ranges between 1,400 and 2,300 meters. Characterized by lofty, rugged peaks often shrouded in clouds and mist, and abundant rainfall, Kunlu Mountain embodies the principle that "high mountains and clouds yield fine tea." It remains one of the last preserved primitive forests within Pu'erh City, hosting towering ancient trees conserved over many years. The soil here is well-aerated and rich in minerals, including iron, allowing tea trees to absorb and transform a greater diversity of minerals, thus receiving optimal nourishment. Despite improved accessibility and its exceptional terroir, compared to other Pu'erh tea regions, Kunlu Mountain has largely remained "a hidden gem, unknown to many."
The dry leaves of Kunlu Mountain Single-Origin Ancient Tree Raw Pu'erh exhibit a fresh, elegant fragrance with fruity notes. The liquor is sweet, mellow, thick, and smooth upon entry. As a young tea, its aroma is pronounced and distinctly fruity, with a long-lasting houyun (throat sensation). The interplay of fragrance, sweetness, and richness on the palate creates a layered experience for the taste buds, leading to a persistent sweet aftertaste and a lingering aroma that clings to the tea cup. Its potential for transformation with aging is highly anticipated.
