Discover the Ancient Six and New Six Tea Mountains

Yunnan is the birthplace of Pu-erh tea and home to an extraordinary collection of historic tea mountains, ancient tea forests and culturally important tea-producing villages.

The most famous origins are traditionally divided into two groups:

the Ancient Six Tea Mountains — 古六大茶山, primarily associated with the eastern side of the Lancang River, and

the New Six Tea Mountains — 新六大茶山, traditionally associated with the western side.

These mountains are more than geographic locations. Each one contains smaller villages, old tea plantation and forest micro-regions shaped by differences in elevation, soil, rainfall, tree varieties and local processing traditions.

This is the foundation of the well-known Pu-erh expression:

一山一味 — “Each mountain has its own taste.”

The map provides a simplified introduction to these celebrated origins. The locations are approximate and intended as an educational guide rather than a precise administrative map.

The Ancient Six Tea Mountains

古六大茶山

The Ancient Six Tea Mountains are traditionally located east of the Lancang River. They became important centres of tea cultivation, processing and trade during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Historical classifications identify them as Youle, Gedeng, Yibang, Mangzhi, Manzhuan and Mansa. In modern tea usage, Yiwu commonly represents the wider Mansa–Yiwu area.

1. Youle — 攸乐山

Also known as Jinuo Mountain — 基诺山

Youle is the westernmost of the Ancient Six and the only one located administratively within Jinghong rather than Mengla County. Today, it is generally known as Jinuo Mountain, named after the Jinuo people who have cultivated and consumed tea in this region for generations.

Youle tea is often valued for its balance. It may present an expressive aroma, noticeable initial bitterness and a rounded body, followed by returning sweetness and a cooling, refreshing finish.

Typical character:
Full-bodied, aromatic and balanced, with lively bitterness, quick returning sweetness and a lingering mountain character.

 

2. Gedeng — 革登山

Gedeng is one of the smaller Ancient Six Tea Mountains, situated near Mangzhi and Yibang. Although much of its historical tea-growing area declined through war, fire and social upheaval, surviving ancient gardens continue to make Gedeng highly respected among Pu-erh enthusiasts.

Gedeng tea is often described as clear, sweet and focused, with firm structure and a refined aftertaste.

Typical character:
Clear and elegant, with gentle floral or honeyed notes, moderate bitterness and a clean, persistent sweetness.

3. Yibang — 倚邦山

Yibang was once an important political and commercial centre of the Ancient Six Tea Mountains. Unlike many Yunnan regions dominated by broad-leaf tea trees, Yibang is particularly known for ancient gardens containing smaller-leaf and medium-small-leaf tea varieties.

This often gives Yibang tea a distinctive fragrance, delicacy and fine texture. Within Yibang lies Mansong, one of the best-known historic tribute-tea origins.

Typical character:
Highly fragrant and finely structured, with floral, honeyed or wild-fruit notes, a delicate texture and long, elegant sweetness.

 

4. Mangzhi — 莽枝山

Mangzhi sits close to Gedeng and was once an important stop on regional tea-trading routes. The historic settlement of Niuguntang became a thriving tea market during the Qing dynasty.

Mangzhi tea is frequently described as aromatic but more forceful than Yibang or Yiwu. Its bitterness and astringency can be noticeable at first, followed by returning sweetness and a strong mouth-watering finish.

Typical character:
Fragrant and energetic, with a firm body, noticeable bitterness, active salivation and strong returning sweetness.

5. Manzhuan — 蛮砖山

Manzhuan lies between several other Ancient Six regions and has a long history of tea cultivation. Its old gardens are distributed through villages and protected forest areas rather than forming one single continuous plantation.

Manzhuan tea is generally known for its depth and density. Compared with the softer style associated with Yiwu, it can feel more substantial and structured while retaining attractive sweetness and fragrance.

Typical character:
Highly fragrant and finely structured, with floral, honeyed or wild-fruit notes, a delicate texture and long, elegant sweetness.

 

4. Mangzhi — 莽枝山

Mangzhi sits close to Gedeng and was once an important stop on regional tea-trading routes. The historic settlement of Niuguntang became a thriving tea market during the Qing dynasty.

Mangzhi tea is frequently described as aromatic but more forceful than Yibang or Yiwu. Its bitterness and astringency can be noticeable at first, followed by returning sweetness and a strong mouth-watering finish.

Typical character:
Fragrant and energetic, with a firm body, noticeable bitterness, active salivation and strong returning sweetness.

 

5. Manzhuan — 蛮砖山

Manzhuan lies between several other Ancient Six regions and has a long history of tea cultivation. Its old gardens are distributed through villages and protected forest areas rather than forming one single continuous plantation.

Manzhuan tea is generally known for its depth and density. Compared with the softer style associated with Yiwu, it can feel more substantial and structured while retaining attractive sweetness and fragrance.

Typical character:
Deep, full and structured, with persistent fragrance, moderate bitterness, strong returning sweetness and good ageing potential.

 

6. Yiwu and Mansa — 易武／曼撒

Yiwu is one of the most celebrated names in Pu-erh tea. Historically, Mansa was listed among the Ancient Six, while modern classifications frequently use Yiwu to describe the wider region.

Yiwu includes an extensive network of villages, ancient gardens and protected forest plots. Because it covers such a large and environmentally diverse area, its teas can vary significantly.

Yiwu tea is broadly associated with an elegant “fragrant and soft” style, yet forest origins such as Gua Feng Zhai, Tongqing He and Bohe Tang may offer considerable strength beneath their smooth texture.

Typical character:
Smooth and elegant, with floral, honeyed and soft-fruit aromas, a fine water texture, gentle initial bitterness and deep returning sweetness.

 

Explore Yunnan Pu-erh Tea

Understanding origin allows you to experience Pu-erh tea beyond its age or production year. A tea from Yiwu may emphasise fragrance and refined sweetness, while one from Bulang may offer a more powerful structure and bitter-sweet transformation.

At Long’s Tea, our Pu-erh selection explores the diversity of different puer from each mountains, villages and ancient-tree regions.

Suggested buttons:

• Shop Raw Pu-erh Tea
• Discover Ancient Tree Tea
• Read Our Pu-erh Brewing Guide

Disclaimer

Tea characteristics are general regional descriptions only. Flavour can vary according to village, plantation, tree age, harvest season, processing, ageing and storage.