Xianming Gujiao Tea Factory
Xishuangbanna Xianming Guqiao tea factory is located at the Manzhuan mountain, one of the renowned “the ancient six tea mountains”, close to Yibang, north Mengla County. From Ming dynasty to Qing dynasty, Yibang was the political center and the administrative management center. According to the records in "Pu'er Government office", started in Yongzheng 11th year, Qing dynasty, this area was assigned as the place to provide 'tribute' tea to the imperial court.
The 19th century ended, along with Qing Dynasty, war caused chaos in west Yunnan, Yibang as the center of 'Tribute tea' was also faded away. In 1942 already miserable Yinbang suffered the misfortune again, a revolted gang from Youle invaded Yibang, the flames of fight burnt three days and three nights, the old town with several hundred years history, all the innumerable fine constructions became ashes completely.
After 60 years, once forgotten ancient six tea mountains got the unprecedented development opportunity as people re-discovered Pu-erh tea. Ms. Zhang Qi Lin, to inherit and honor the Pu'er tea cultural establishment, had established Xishuangbanna Xianming Gujiao Tea Factory at Manzhuan.
Xishuangbanna Xianming Gujiao tea factory started its production in 2000, occupied a land area of more than 3 Chinese acres, built a workshop that was more than 500 square meters. There were several hundred sets of the stone molds to compress the tea, the inspection equipment was in place, already through the QS authentication, plus a group of experts, including 3 high-level tea art teachers, 3 national level tea approval agents, and 2 professionals that graduated from the southwest agriculture university. In addition, there were over a hundred skilled workers that mastered the traditional stone mold production technology, and also over a hundred purchase personnel that were familiar with maocha, who covered the harvest at more than 8000 Chinese acres of ancient tea gardens.
Xishuangbanna Xianming Gujiao Tea factory made “Ancient Qiao” series traditional Pu'er tea, including the chi tse beeng tea (cake), the square brick, the tuocha, the gourd shaped tea, the tea column, and so on.
“Ancient Qiao” branded traditional Pu'er tea was inspected with no agricultural remnant ingredient found, the water oozes at 46.20%, all other spec. were conformed to national foods standards, it was one of the rare, pure, natural, green drinks. Its product received consistent high praise from average consumers, tea amateur and tea experts. On January 10, 2007 at the Great Hall, Beijing where the first Chinese Pu'er tea merchant congress held, its product was awarded two big prizes, the distinguished brand and the gold medal, and it was assigned as the official tea for the event.