The six ancient tea mountains are the starting point of the ancient tea-horse road.

YuanJia131

In the southwestern region of China, a lifeline named after "tea"—the Tea Horse Road—wrote a legendary tale of connecting the world with tea leaves and horse hooves.

The golden climate between 21° and 24° north latitude, nourished by the misty high-altitude mountains, endows this region with the unique richness of Pu'er tea—its deep and mellow flavor, forming the cornerstone of its trade.

Since the Qing Dynasty, the Pu'er tea from the ancient Liuzhishan region, particularly from Yiwu, has been officially designated as tribute tea. This imperial endorsement elevated its reputation, making it synonymous with high-quality Pu'er tea.

The tea leaves from various mountains were first gathered by horse caravans in ancient towns like Yiwu, where they underwent meticulous processing before embarking on the long journey. Here, at the intersection of material and information, lies the origin of the trade network.

The tea from the ancient Liushan region, known as the "Drink of Life," was exchanged for fine horses and medicinal herbs from Tibet with Pu'er tea. This practice addressed the highland people's livelihood need of "Rather three days without food, than one day without tea," becoming a cultural and life bond connecting the Han and Tibetan peoples.

Overseas, it is known as the "Magical Leaf of the East," serving as a crucial window for the world to understand China. Through itself as a medium, it has constructed an extensive network of trade and culture.