Each Spring, the Mists of Yunnan Reveal Their Secrets
Each spring, the mists of Yunnan’s Lincang Mountains lift just long enough to reveal their hidden treasures.
In a remote corner of this region lies Bing Dao (冰岛) — “Ice Island” — a legendary village known for producing some of the purest and most elegant raw Pu-erh teas in China.
This year, my journey led deep into these ancient tea forests to source the 2025 Bing Dao Gushu (古树, ancient tree) harvest — a tea prized by collectors for its energy, purity, and harmony.
At Tea & Leaf, sourcing isn’t about buying leaves; it’s about listening to the land.
Each mountain speaks in its own way — through its air, soil, and the silent strength of its trees.
📍 What Makes Bing Dao Pu-erh So Special
Bing Dao, nestled high in Mengku, Lincang Prefecture, sits at over 2,000 meters elevation.
The tea from this sacred mountain embodies the perfect union of clarity, sweetness, and energy.
True Bing Dao Gushu Pu-erh is known for:
- 🌿 Ancient trees (100–300+ years old) rooted deep in untouched forest soil
- 💎 Mineral-rich terroir with clean ecology and mountain mist
- 🌸 Delicate floral aroma and balanced bitterness that transforms into long-lasting sweetness (Huigan 回甘)
- ⚡ Remarkable Cha Qi (茶气) — a clear, meditative energy that flows through body and mind
Each infusion begins softly, expands with thick body and smooth texture, and finishes with an elegant cooling sweetness that lingers long after the sip.
🛤️ The Journey Into the Mountains
Reaching Bing Dao Village is a pilgrimage of patience.
From Lincang City, the roads twist into gravel paths climbing toward the clouds.
Along the way lie several satellite villages that bear the Bing Dao name — but only the core Bing Dao area yields the true ancient-tree material known for its purity and depth.
My destination was the original Bing Dao village, where I hand-selected leaves from verified Gushu trees within the core zone — no blended or young-tree material.
When I arrived, the first spring flush had just begun. The air was cool, the leaves tender — each bud alive with the energy of the mountain itself.
🍃 From Tree to Leaf — The Craft Behind the Cup
I spent days walking through ancient gardens with multi-generational tea farmers who care for these trees like family.
Some trunks were wider than my embrace — roots intertwined with centuries of mountain life.
Each leaf was hand-plucked, pan-fired by hand, and sun-dried naturally under Yunnan’s open sky.
No machinery, no chemicals — just time, skill, and patience.
This year’s Bing Dao Gushu harvest radiates balance: a vibrant floral aroma, mineral depth, thick body, and a grounding Cha Qi that lingers long after the final steep.
💎 Why We Source at Origin
Not all teas labeled “Bing Dao” are real.
Many blends use leaves from neighboring villages or plantations that lack the energy and spirit of true Gushu tea.
That’s why Tea & Leaf travels to the mountain each spring — to ensure every leaf is authentic, ethical, and traceable.
We only source:
✅ Single-origin Bing Dao leaves
🌿 Ancient-tree Gushu material (100–300+ years old)
🔆 Traditional hand-processing — no chemicals or shortcuts
🤝 Direct relationships with local farming families
This is sourcing with integrity — because great tea begins with truth.
🌿 Tasting Notes: 2025 Bing Dao Gushu Raw Pu-erh
Origin: Bing Dao Village, Mengku, Lincang, Yunnan
Harvest: Spring 2025 — Ancient Tree (Gushu) Material
- Aroma: Wildflowers, sugarcane, mist, and fresh mountain rain
- Taste: Soft entrance, elegant bitterness, thick mineral sweetness
- Energy: Cooling, uplifting, and meditative — strong Cha Qi with serene clarity
Perfect for Gongfu-style brewing, aging, or mindful daily tea rituals.
This is a Pu-erh you don’t just drink — you experience it.
🍵 Why Bing Dao Captures the Soul of Yunnan
Every mountain has a voice — but few sing as purely as Bing Dao.
It’s a tea that embodies contrast: strength and softness, depth and light, movement and stillness.
When brewed, it reveals the patience of nature, the precision of craft, and the purity of spirit.
It reminds us why tea is not just a beverage, but a living connection between land, people, and time.
👉 Shop the 2025 Bing Dao Gushu Raw Pu-erh
🌱 Learn More About Our Yunnan Sourcing Trips
Taste the mountain, the mist, and the soul of Bing Dao — where purity flows through every cup.
🫖 Frequently Asked Questions About Bing Dao Pu-erh Tea
1. What is Bing Dao Pu-erh tea?
Bing Dao (冰岛) is a village in Mengku, Lincang, Yunnan, famous for producing elegant and powerful raw Pu-erh teas with cooling sweetness and strong Cha Qi.
2. What makes Bing Dao Gushu Pu-erh unique?
Tea from ancient Gushu trees (100–300+ years old), grown in untouched high-altitude forests, produces thick, mineral-rich liquor and the signature Huigan 回甘 sweetness.
3. How can I tell if Bing Dao Pu-erh is authentic?
Authentic Bing Dao comes only from the core village area, never blended.
Look for clarity, floral aroma, mineral depth, and a cooling Cha Qi.
4. What is the Cha Qi in Bing Dao tea?
Cha Qi (茶气) is the tea’s living energy — the sensation of focus, balance, and warmth that flows through your body after drinking.
Bing Dao’s Cha Qi is clear, gentle, and deeply grounding.
5. What are the tasting notes of Bing Dao Pu-erh?
Aroma of wildflowers and mist, balanced bitterness, mineral sweetness, and a long cooling Huigan. The texture is smooth and elegant.
6. Why is Bing Dao Pu-erh expensive?
Because authentic Bing Dao comes from limited ancient trees, hand-harvested once per year. Demand from collectors far exceeds supply, making it one of Yunnan’s rarest teas.
7. How should I brew Bing Dao Pu-erh?
Brew Gongfu-style:
- 5–7g tea / 100ml gaiwan
- Water 95–100°C
- First steep 5–10 seconds, then increase gradually
This reveals each layer of sweetness, aroma, and Cha Qi.
8. How does Tea & Leaf source its Bing Dao Pu-erh?
We visit Bing Dao village every spring to work directly with small family farms, selecting single-origin, Gushu-only material, sun-dried and stone-pressed by hand.
✨ Explore the 2025 Bing Dao Gushu Harvest
Experience the clarity, sweetness, and power of Yunnan’s most iconic mountain tea.
🛒 Shop Our 2025 Bing Dao Raw Pu-erh
🌿 Learn More About Tea & Leaf’s Yunnan Sourcing Trips
Taste the stillness of mist, the strength of mountain roots, and the purity of ancient trees —Bing Dao, the pure heart of Lincang.
