In Xishuangbanna, tea mountain, tea village, has its own ethnic minorities, traditions, culture and tea making practices. These all produce teas that have unique qualities.

Here are photos from a trip to He Kai in the Bulang Shan range of mountains. Hekai, though not as well known as Lao Ban Zhang, has a large area of old tea trees. Lahu, Bulang and Dai people all pick the trees.

Click here to see a map of Xishuangbanna Prefecture.

He Kai area. Autumn 2008.

Spring Buds on ancient tea trees in Hekai
Cows amidst several hundred year old tea trees in the Bulang Mountains
Tea tree Flowers on ancient tea tree in Hekai, Bulang Shan
An old tea tree provides a home for wild orchids
Bio-diversity is an important feature of areas with arboreal tea trees
Bulang village
Early spring leaves on old tea trees near Hekai
Feshly picked leaves to be laid out to wilt
Typical Tea Wok in Bulang Shan mountains
Sun drying leaves on a bamboo drying platform
See Puer teas from this area
Raw Puerh tea from Bulang Shan 250 gram tea cake from Hekai Shan
Raw Puerh tea, Lao Ban Zhang puerh tea from Bulang shan