Banpo Old Village 半坡老寨 – the Heart of Nannuo Mountain 南糯山

Banpo Old Village 半坡老寨 – the Heart of Nannuo Mountain 南糯山

Nannuo Mountain 南糯山 is one of Yunnan’s most celebrated ancient tea mountains, famed for its lush, untouched forests and centuries-old tea trees. Among its villages, Banpo Laozhai 半坡老寨 (Banpo Old Village) stands out as a treasure, producing Pu’er teas that have captivated tea lovers for generations. Nannuo Mountain is one of the iconic tea mountains in Menghai County. The continuous ancient tea gardens on Nannuo Mountain account for more than half of the county. It can be said to be one of the production areas of high-quality Pu'er tea raw materials. A cultivated ancient tea tree over 800 years old further proves that Nannuo Mountain is rich in Pu'er tea resources.

Location and Environment

Nestled in Gelanghe Township 格朗和乡 of Menghai County 勐海县, Banpo Laozhai is only 24 km from Menghai town and within reach of Jinghong 景洪. Despite this accessibility, the mountain has miraculously preserved vast stretches of pristine forest.

Nearby villages include Yakou 丫口寨, Guniang 姑娘寨, and Shitou 石头寨, but Banpo Laozhai remains the best known for its ancient tea gardens.

Ideal Climate for Tea

  • Elevation: 1,680 meters

  • Annual Rainfall: 1,500–1,750 mm

  • Average Temperature: 16–18 °C

These natural conditions create a perfect environment for slow-growing tea trees, allowing them to develop exceptional depth of flavor.

Tea Gardens of Nannuo Mountain

Nannuo Mountain has preserved around 12,000 mu (800 hectares) of ancient tea gardens spread across nine natural villages. Among them:

  • Zhulinzhai 竹林寨: 2,900 mu of tea gardens, 1,200 mu ancient

  • Guniangzhai 姑娘寨: 3,500 mu of tea gardens, 1,500 mu ancient

  • Banpo Laozhai 半坡老寨: 4,200 mu of tea gardens, 3,700 mu ancient

Here grows the legendary Tea King Tree 茶王树, more than 800 years old, a living symbol of Nannuo’s long tea heritage.

A Living History of Tea

Nannuo Mountain has been a cradle of tea culture for over a thousand years. As early as the Nanzhao Kingdom 南诏时期 (8th–9th century), the Blang 布朗族 people cultivated tea here. When they later migrated, the Aini 爱伲族 took over the tea gardens. Based on their generational naming traditions, the Aini have lived in Nannuo for 57–58 generations — more than 1,100 years of continuous tea heritage.

The Taste of Banpo Laozhai Tea

Teas from Nannuo’s ancient trees, especially Banpo Laozhai, are highly sought after for their unique character:

  • Full-bodied liquor 汤汁饱满 with rich texture

  • Quick sweetness 回甘快 that lingers in the mouth

  • Wild mountain charm 山野气韵 that reflects its natural origins

  • Fragrant yet balanced 茶香饱满, with just a touch of pleasant bitterness

This balance of strength, sweetness, and aroma makes Banpo Laozhai’s ancient tree Pu’er one of the most prized teas of Nannuo Mountain. A cup of Banpo Laozhai 半坡老寨 ancient tree tea is more than just a drink — it’s a taste of centuries of tradition, a bridge between the mountain’s deep forests and the hands of skilled tea makers.


Many people know that the Lahu people have played an important role in preserving the ancient Pu’er tea trees. Thanks to their relaxed way of life, these tea trees were never overworked or heavily managed, and so they’ve grown tall, strong, and majestic over the centuries.

When you arrive at Banpo Old Village 半坡老寨, you’ll quickly see that things here feel different. The Aini people, a branch of the Hani ethnic group, live here — and their tea groves are truly special. The ancient tea trees are mixed among dense forests, rising with surprisingly tall trunks. They grow together with many other native trees, creating a thriving ecosystem. The tea trees themselves are relatively few, but each one is outstanding. Their leaves are slender and delicate, much like those from Yibang Mountain, with small, subtle buds. They even bloom in pairs, showing off just how healthy the environment here is.

Halfway up the mountain lies a small settlement known as Girl Village. With only about 20 households, life here feels calm and unhurried. The locals have a reputation for being “lazy” — but in the most charming way. For example, on cloudy days, people simply stay home and sleep instead of going up the mountain. Imagine that — napping while the tea waits! And if they don’t feel like working, they don’t stress. They won’t even hire workers like people do in Laobanzhang. This carefree attitude also means they never pushed hard to cut down or “dwarf” their tea trees, as was done in many other tea-producing areas. The result? Banpo Laozhai today has some of the finest, most natural tea you’ll ever taste.

Maybe there’s a lesson here: life isn’t only about constant work. Sometimes, the best things come when we slow down and give nature the freedom to flourish. So why not treat yourself to a Banpo-style day — take it easy, sip some tea, and simply enjoy life.