Not only Yunnan is the origin of world's tea trees but also the reputable native place of Pu-erh tea.

According to 'Xu Bo wu Zhi' (or 'A Sequel To Cyclopaedia Of Natural Science') written by Li Shi in Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 A.D.), people living in the juncture area of Tibet, Yunnan and Sichuan drank Pu-erh tea as early as Tang Dynasty (61 8-907A.D.) during which tea trade was also flourishing. Zhao Xuemin (circa 1719-1805 A.D.), a physician and famous pharmacist of Qing Dynasty, wrote in his 'Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi' (or 'A Supplement To The Compendium Of Materia Medica') that Pu-erh Tea (sometimes spelled "Puerh Tea", "Pu-er Tea" or "Pu Er Tea") was a namesake specialty of Pu Er Prefecture. An important town in Yunnan province now known as Pu Er County, Pu Er is a distributing center of tea. Where as Mt. Liuchashan (Six Famous Tea Mountain) - a Specific place from which Pu-erh tea produced, is situated within the prefectural boundary of Xishuanbanna in Simao District. Renowned for its scenic mountains, mild climate, frost-free winter and spring, abundant rainfall, nebulous ambience and fertile soil, the place is the native centre of origins of world's tea trees.

In accordance with an ancient Dai document of Xishuanbanna, Yunnan had tea trees planting some 1,700 years ago. There is an old tea tree called the 'King of tea trees' still growing on Nannuo Mountain in Menghai County of the same prefecture. In 1961, a large wild tea tree was discovered in the primeval forest on Dahei Mountain of the same county. That tree rose 32.1 m high with a diameter of 1.03m and its age was over 1,700 years old. Exuberant and verdant, it still can yield quality tea leaves. Yunnan's favourably natural conditions are suitable for the breeding of its large-leaf tea trees which feature early budding, strong buds, long growth period. tender leaf texture, etc. They have become unique materials for preparing Pu-erh Tea.

Different from black tea and green tea, Pu-erh tea leaves are processed from large-leaf and dried Qingmao tea through special fermentation. They are broad and brownish red in colour. When preparing tea, a pleasantly mellow fragrance exudes. Pu-erh tea is in fact a rare health drink for all ages. Literati throughout Chinese history had highly praised the beverage. Wang Yu of Song Dynasty. Zhao Xuemin of Qing Dynasty and Cao Xueqin (author of 'Dream of the Red Mansion') had Pu-erh tea mentioned in their works.

Receiving popularity among consumers in some 20 countries and regions upon its entering into international markets is not a fortuity for Pu-erh tea. A medical experiment conducted by a hospital in France proved that regular consumption of the tea can apparently lower blood lipid by 13%(3 cups/day in one month). The tea can also lower the alcoholic contents in blood. Besides, over 40% of the subjects which drink Pu-erh Tea lose their weight for different extents obviously for people of the 40-50