Discovering the Source of Pu'er: Yi Ming's Journey Along the Ancient Tea Horse Road — Where Century-Old Craftsmanship Meets Ethnic Culture
We recently embarked on a long-awaited sourcing trip to Pu'er. This was more than just a professional journey to build a foundation for our future work and meet with our partners; it was a deep cultural immersion into the customs of Yunnan. Starting from Kunming, we encountered the most authentic side of Yunnan amidst the fragrance of tea.
Table of Contents
- 1. A Taste of Yunnan: Flower Blossoms and Spicy Flavors
- 2. Century-Old Legacy: Working at Ning'er Imperial Tea Factory
- 3. Daughter of Yunnan: Yang Likun's Former Residence and Yi Culture
- 4. Vibrant Large-Leaf Trees: Tea Adoption and Yunnan Coffee
- 5. Nakeli & The Museum: Traveling Through Time and Ethnic History
- 6. Ancient City Nightlife: Folk Dancing and Robot Surprises
- 7. The Final Ritual: Twin Wells Legend and Guanguan Rice Noodles
1. A Taste of Yunnan: Flower Blossoms and Spicy Flavors
During the five-hour drive from Kunming to Ning'er, we first experienced Yunnan's unique culinary philosophy at a small local eatery. In Yunnan, people eat according to the seasons, and right now is the "flower-eating season," meaning the table was filled with fresh, fragrant seasonal dishes made from blossoms. However, be warned: many Yunnan dishes are notably spicy, which can be a challenge for those not used to the heat! Along the way, we stopped at the Twin Town (Mojiang) service area, where small stalls were selling beautiful local fruits.
2. Century-Old Legacy: Working at Ning'er Imperial Tea Factory
Upon arriving at the Ning'er Imperial Tea Factory, we immediately felt the weight of history. This site served as the source for tribute tea provided to Emperor Qianlong during the Qing Dynasty. The craftsmanship and heritage, spanning over a century, continue to be passed down today. We spent time here in deep discussions with our partners and inspected the tea-making process to ensure every leaf for Yi Ming carries this authentic legacy.
3. Daughter of Yunnan: Yang Likun's Former Residence and Yi Culture
In the Mohei Entrepreneurship Town, we visited the former residence of the legendary actress Yang Likun. Born in Mohei, she starred in the classic film Five Golden Flowers and famously portrayed a Sani woman of the Yunnan Yi ethnic group in Ashima. Learning about her life and local stories with our children was a deeply meaningful lesson that strengthened our connection to this land. We also visited the Zhaoma Zhuanjiao Tower, a protected heritage site whose courtyard exhibits tell the origin stories of the Ancient Tea Horse Road.
4. Vibrant Large-Leaf Trees: Tea Adoption and Yunnan Coffee
Walking into the tea fields, we were surrounded by hardy Large-Leaf (Assamica) tea trees, the ideal raw material for high-quality Pu'er and Black tea. We were privileged to personally adopt two tea trees and look forward to watching them grow under the Yunnan sun. Interestingly, we discovered that Yunnan is not only famous for tea; its coffee beans are also of exceptional quality, showcasing the diverse agricultural strength of the region.
🍃 Shop Our Imperial Pu'er Tea Factory Collection
5. Nakeli & The Museum: Traveling Through Time and Ethnic History
At Nakeli Town, we wandered through historic buildings at what was once a bustling relay station on the Ancient Tea Horse Road. The scenery where the architecture meets the landscape is simply stunning. Later, our visit to the Pu'er Museum was an eye-opener, featuring traditional costumes, daily tools, and historical artifacts from various ethnic groups. The Pu'er tea exhibit, which simulated the arduous journey of delivering tribute tea to the Emperor, filled us with awe for the history behind every cup.
6. Ancient City Nightlife: Folk Dancing and Robot Surprises
The Ancient Tea Horse City Night Market was one of our favorite discoveries. At night, the city comes alive as locals and tourists hold hands and dance in circles, a display of pure, infectious joy. In a surprising blend of tradition and modernity, the night market even featured dancing robots performing to high-energy music! For those seeking a quieter pace, the "Entrepreneurship Street" on the other side of the dance floor offered a perfect spot for a relaxed stroll.
7. The Final Ritual: Twin Wells Legend and Guanguan Rice Noodles
Before heading home, we revisited Twin Town. Legend says that drinking from the twin wells here increases the chances of having twins, so we curiously collected some water to take with us. For our final meal in Yunnan, we enjoyed the most authentic Guanguan Rice Noodles, tossed noodles, and fried potatoes. That steaming bowl of flavorful noodles perfectly captured the warm hospitality of Yunnan.
🎬 Watch the Full Journey Video
Experience the authentic atmosphere of Yunnan here:
