Exploring the Tea-Horse Road — An Immersive Journey into the Ancient Six Tea Mountains of Xishuangbanna

Xishuangbanna Ancient Six Tea Mountains: Jinuo (Youle) / Yiwu (Mansa) / Manzhuan / Gedeng / Mangzhi / Yibang 
8-Day / 7-Night Study Tour

Purpose of the Ancient Six Tea Mountains Study Tour:
The Ancient Six Tea Mountains of Xishuangbanna are the birthplace of Pu’er tea and a “holy land” for tea enthusiasts. This program takes you deep into the original ancient tea gardens; reconstructs the historical rise and fall of Pu’er tea culture; satisfies your desire to personally taste the pure material from dozens of mountain terroirs; and allows you to learn directly from traditional tea artisans of the Ancient Six Tea Mountains. You will conduct field investigations in well-known ancient tea tree gardens, understand core knowledge about Pu’er tea’s ecological environment, processing, storage, and circulation, and truly learn to identify and appreciate tea. This study tour is designed as a professional cultural immersion experience for dedicated Pu’er tea practitioners and tea lovers.

Expectation of the activity: Using tea as a medium, making friends through tea.

Full-process interaction with Pu’er tea inheritance masters of the Ancient Six Tea Mountains:
1. Zhu Xinzhong, second-generation inheritor of Yiwu Ma Guotou and traditional Pu’er tea master, will lead you through Yiwu Ancient Town and its long tea history, take you trekking on the Yiwu Tea-Horse Road, and guide field visits to Mahei Shimenkan ancient tea garden, Mahei King Tea Tree, and Mansa ancient tea mountain.

2. Wen Libing, director of Xiangming Tea Cooperative and inheritor of the traditional Sanxian plucked lute, will guide you through Gedeng’s Anle Village Zhibang ancient tea garden and Mangzhi ancient tea mountain, including the historical Niuguntang site.

3. Li Chunliang, intangible cultural heritage inheritor of the Ancient Six Tea Mountains tribute tea processing technique and leader of Xiangming Tea Cooperative, will guide you through Yibang’s “Dragon Ridge,” the Qing Dynasty royal tea garden Daqiaotou, and the Daheishan tea garden—representative ancient tea gardens of the Six Tea Mountains.

4. Master Quan Cun’an of Manzhuang Baxongzhai, a renowned traditional Pu’er tea craftsman, will demonstrate fully hand-crafted Pu’er tea production and share the cultural history of the Ancient Six Tea Mountains.

Historical Highlights of Pu’er Tea:
Tea culture theme: Yunnan is the origin of the world’s tea plants. This study tour takes you through the historical transformations of Pu’er tea. You will visit: 
– The Jinuo ethnic group’s Longpa ancient tea garden 
– The Yiwu Pu’er Tea Museum 
– The Yiwu Tea-Horse Road ruins 
– Mahei Shimenkan ancient tea king tree and Wengong ancient tea garden 
– Manzhuan’s century-old Yi ethnic ancient tea garden 
– Mansong imperial tribute tea mountain 
– Yibang’s core ancient tea gardens and red-sandstone Tea-Horse Road 
– Mangzhi’s Niuguntang historical site 
– Gedeng’s Zhibang ancient tea gardens

Pu’er Tea Making, Tasting, and Learning Experiences:
At Yiwu Ruigong Jingcheng Tea Workshop, Zhu Xinzhong will teach traditional Pu’er tea processing—from withering to pan-firing, rolling, and drying—and share insights on traditional craftsmanship.

At Xiangming’s century-old Yibang workshop, Li Chunliang will teach professional Pu’er tea brewing, identification, and sensory evaluation.

At Manzhuang Baxongzhai, Master Quan Cun’an will explain Manzhuan’s cultural history and demonstrate fully handmade Pu’er tea craftsmanship.

Tea Tasting Across the Six Mountains:
Tastings in Jinghong, Mahei, Yiwu, Yibang, Gedeng, Mangzhi, and Daheishan, guided by local artisans and tea garden owners.

Dining:
Hand-selected Xishuangbanna ecological cuisine.

Accommodation:
Best available hotels and guesthouses in each area.

Itinerary (Condensed):
Day 1: Arrival in Jinghong → Pu’er tea tasting → Dai-style peacock banquet 
Day 2: Jinghong → Jinuo Mountain → Menglun → Yiwu (ancient tea gardens, Tea-Horse Road, museum) 
Day 3: Yiwu → Mahei → Yiwu (tea-horse road trekking, ancient tea king trees, canyon trail to Tongqing River) 
Day 4: Yiwu → Manzhuan → Mansong → Yibang 
Day 5: Yibang → Daheishan → Yibang (ancient tea gardens, sunset on the highland pasture, folk dinner) 
Day 6: Yibang → Gedeng → Mangzhi 
Day 7: Mangzhi → Baxongzhai → Menglun (final tea reflection session) 
Day 8: Menglun → Jinghong → Airport departure

Study Tour Notes:
The Ancient Six Tea Mountains are in a border region; follow local epidemic measures if required. 
Bring mosquito protection, sun protection, and rain gear. 
Mountain roads can cause motion sickness—prepare accordingly. 
UV is strong; weather changes quickly; bring layers. 
Proper trekking shoes are required for Tea-Horse Road hikes. 
Follow safety guidance from instructors. 
Force majeure (landslides, delays, natural disasters) may lead to itinerary adjustments. 
Suggest bringing your own tea cup and power bank. 
Group size capped at 14; if minimum is not met, full refund will be issued five days prior. 
Roads are mountainous; accommodations and dining are simpler than in cities.

Acceptance of this itinerary indicates agreement with all the above conditions.