Yunnan Shuangjiang Mengku Tea Factory

Updated June 4, 2026

Yunnan Shuangjiang Mengku Tea Factory is an attraction located in Lincang.

Visiting Yunnan Shuangjiang Mengku Tea Factory

Located in Lincang, Yunnan Shuangjiang Mengku Tea Factory is a attraction that visitors to the area may find worth exploring.

Planning Your Visit

GPS coordinates: 23.591333, 99.864259. Check locally for current opening hours and any admission fees before visiting.

Location

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Yunnan Shuangjiang Mengku Tea Factory sits in Shuangjiang County, Lincang prefecture, Yunnan Province. It’s best known for high-quality pu-erh teas made from the Mengku region’s large-leaf tea trees.

The company was established in 1999, but its roots go back to a state-owned factory that started in 1974. If you’re a tea enthusiast or just curious about traditional Chinese tea production, this place is pretty much a must-see.

The factory operates under the name Rongshi, and honestly, it’s earned a reputation as one of China’s top tea producers. Their teas have this crisp taste, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable.

You’ll find the facility in Shuangjiang County, which literally means “Double River” since the area sits between two rivers. The Mengku region, where the leaves come from, is part of Lincang—sometimes called “the world’s tea inventory” because it produces more tea than anywhere else in Yunnan.

When you visit, you’re right in the heart of one of China’s most important tea-growing areas. The factory’s teas carry both the Shuangjiang Mengku and Mengku Rongshi labels.

The surrounding Mengku tea region is famous for its large-leaf tea trees, some of which are truly ancient. The factory processes leaves grown at a range of altitudes across the county.

Key Takeaways

• Shuangjiang Mengku Tea Factory started in 1999 and produces top pu-erh teas in Lincang.
• The factory sources from Mengku, a key region for large-leaf tea.
• Visitors can see authentic Chinese tea production in a place known as “the world’s tea inventory.”

Key Details and Quick Facts

Shuangjiang Mengku Tea Factory operates in the Mengku area of Shuangjiang County, within Lincang, Yunnan Province. The company opened in 1999, taking over from a state-owned operation dating back to 1974.

Their factory name is Rongshi (戎氏), so keep an eye out for teas labeled Mengku Rongshi.

Company Information

• Official Name: Yunnan Shuangjiang Mengku Tea Co., Ltd
• Founded: 1999 (predecessor: 1974)
• Location: Shahe Township, Shuangjiang County, Lincang City
• Alternative Labels: Mengku Rongshi, Rongshi Factory
• Notable Achievement: First tea factory in Yunnan to receive organic certification

Classic Tea Products

The factory puts out a few signature recipes every year. Mu Shu Cha, Wild Arbor King, and Spirit of Tea are among their most popular. These teas are known for a crisp profile and approachable pricing.

Tea Production

Mengku is smack in the middle of Lincang, which is often called “the world’s tea inventory” thanks to massive tea cultivation. The area has over 36,500 mu (around 2,433 acres) of ancient tea trees.

Leaves are sourced from all over Mengku’s mountains to create their pu-erh blends.

What to Expect During a Visit

Visiting Yunnan Shuangjiang Mengku Tea Factory gives you a front-row seat to the tea-making process. You can tour the production workshops and watch picking, pan-firing, rolling, sun-drying, fermentation, and pressing—all that good stuff, blending traditional skills with some modern touches.

You’ll see workers handling leaves from tea trees growing at about 1,900 meters above sea level. The entire process happens right there on site.

What You’ll Experience:

• Production Floor Access – Walk through active workshops for Shu (ripe) and Sheng (raw) pu-erh teas.
• Staff Interactions – Chat with factory workers about fermentation and pressing.
• Tea Tasting – Sample finished teas, including the Mu Ye Chun line.
• Local Context – Learn how Shuangjiang County, between the Lancang and Small Black Rivers, produces some of Lincang’s most recognized teas.

The factory is in Mengku County, about an hour from Lincang city center. You’ll get a feel for how the region processes leaves from ancient tea trees—some older than your grandparents—that cover more than 36,500 mu.

How to Plan Your Visit

The Yunnan Shuangjiang Mengku Tea Factory welcomes visitors all year in Shuangjiang County, Lincang Prefecture. Spring harvest is the most lively time, and direct flights to Lincang make getting there easier than you might expect.

Best Time to Experience the Factory

Aim to visit between March and May, during the spring tea harvest. That’s when the factory is buzzing, and you can watch workers handle fresh leaves from the Mengku tea mountains, including the famous Bingdao area.

The production lines are in full swing, showing off sorting, withering, and compression stages of Pu’er tea making.

Summer (June to August) brings heavy rain that can make mountain roads tricky. The factory stays open but at a slower pace.

Fall harvest in September and October is another window, though spring leaves are usually considered the best.

Winter (November to February) means not much processing, but you can still tour the place and taste some aged teas.

Getting There Easily

Lincang Boshang Airport has daily flights from Kunming (about an hour) and Chengdu. From Lincang city, it’s roughly 50 kilometers north to Shuangjiang County, then on to Mengku town where the factory is. The drive takes about 90 minutes, winding through the mountains.

Local buses run between Lincang and Shuangjiang a few times a day. Hiring a private driver gives you more freedom to stop at tea plantations on the way.

Most people arrange rides through their hotel or book a tea culture tour that bundles factory visits, transportation, and plantation stops. If you’re staying in Shuangjiang town, a taxi will get you to the factory in no time.

Insider Visitor Tips

It’s smart to contact the factory at least three days ahead to set up a tour—walk-ins might not get in during busy times. The Mengku Rongshi label is their premium line, and honestly, buying at the factory shop is usually cheaper than in big-city tea markets.

Bring cash for tea purchases, since credit cards aren’t always accepted. Factory staff speak limited English, so a local guide or translation app helps a lot.

Wear comfortable shoes; the floors can be slick, especially during processing season.

You might want to combine your visit with these nearby spots:

• East Banshan Tea Gardens – ancient tea trees, about 30 minutes away
• Bingdao Tea Mountain – famous for premium Pu’er, but it’s a full day trip
• Shuangjiang Cultural Center – good for learning about ethnic minority tea traditions

Factory tours usually last 90 minutes to two hours. Try to go in the morning (9-11 AM) when things are busiest and the weather’s cooler.

Nearby Attractions and Unique Sights in Lincang

There’s plenty to explore within an hour’s drive of Shuangjiang County and the Mengku Tea Factory. Lincang sits along the Lancang (Mekong) River, right by the Myanmar border, so it’s a mix of landscapes and cultures—23 ethnic groups, if you’re counting.

Key attractions near the tea factory:

• Bingdao Village – 44 kilometers from Shuangjiang County seat, with five tea-producing villages. You can visit old tea trees and see local Lahu, Dai, and Han families at work.
• Xigui region in Bangdong Township – Known for Pu’er tea, with a unique climate.
• Cangyuan Cliff Paintings – Ancient rock art that changes color with the light, showing scenes of hunting and dancing.
• Lincang Tea Culture Garden – The largest tea garden in Yunnan, with black tea exhibits.

Downtown, the Nanting River and Xi River offer scenic water views. Mengku Town itself has 16 villages across 18 tea-producing areas, each with its own tea personality.

Lincang’s climate is pretty much subtropical mountain, so you get misty mornings—perfect for tea. The region includes Yunnan’s only two Wa Autonomous Counties, where half the province’s Wa people live.

You can experience traditional practices in ethnic villages around Shuangjiang County.

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning a visit here means thinking about the harvest schedule, figuring out local transport, and knowing what makes these teas special compared to others from Lincang.

How do I get to the tea factory area from Lincang city, and what’s the most scenic route through Mengku?

You’ll want to take a bus from Lincang city to Shuangjiang County (plan for 2-3 hours), then grab a local driver or taxi for the last stretch into Mengku township. It’s tucked between the Lancang and Xiaohei Rivers.

The road winds through terraced tea gardens and small villages. The most photogenic bits are where the road follows river valleys lined with old tea trees.

Public buses leave Lincang’s main station for Shuangjiang several times a day. Once you’re in the county seat, private car hire runs about 100-200 yuan for a half-day tour on Mengku’s tea mountain roads.

What’s the best season to visit Shuangjiang for tea landscapes and factory tours, and how does harvest timing change the experience?

March to May is prime time—spring harvest, factories humming, and you get to see fresh leaves turned into pu-erh cakes at places like Shuangjiang Mengku Tea Company on Yunjing Road.

The tea mountains turn a bright, lush green, and you’ll spot pickers in the ancient gardens.

Autumn harvest (late September to November) is quieter and brings different flavors. Winter (December-February) means less activity and brown hills, but some tasting rooms stay open.

Are there opportunities to tour production facilities or tasting rooms nearby, and what etiquette should visitors follow during a tea tasting in Yunnan?

The main Shuangjiang Mengku Tea Company site in Shahe Township welcomes visitors, but it’s best to call ahead or arrange through your hotel. Smaller cooperatives around Mengku sometimes do informal tours if you ask local drivers to connect you.

At tastings, never add sugar or milk to pu-erh. Smell the dry leaves, then the wet ones after the rinse (which you pour out). Use both hands when accepting cups—it’s polite. Slurping is totally fine and actually helps you taste more.

What makes Mengku-grown teas taste distinct compared with other Lincang regions, and which flavor notes should I look for in a tasting flight?

Mengku teas, from large-leaf trees above 1,500 meters, usually have a crisp, clean taste with some mineral notes and less bitterness than lower-elevation teas. Their “Mu Shu Cha” and “Wild Arbor King” are especially bright and a little sweet, thanks to the soil and morning fog.

Look for a clean entrance, subtle florals in young sheng pu-erh, and a lingering sweetness (“hui gan”) at the back of your throat. Mengku teas tend to have less astringency than Yiwu teas and more body than Banna productions.

How can I spot quality and authenticity when buying locally—especially when labels, batch codes, or storage claims get confusing?

Check the wrapper for “Shuangjiang Mengku” or “Mengku Rongshi” (戎氏) as the producer. The factory uses both names on different lines.

Real Mengku cakes will have clear batch codes pressed into the wrapper and a nei fei (inner ticket) inside the tea.

Press the cake gently—it should have a little give, not feel loose or crumbly. Look for consistent leaf size and color.

Avoid cakes that smell musty or have white mold spots. That’s bad storage, not good aging.

Always ask to taste before buying a lot. Legit sellers will brew you a sample without fuss.

Where can I stay near Shuangjiang for an immersive tea-country experience, and what local food pairings complement Mengku teas best?

Shuangjiang County town has a handful of basic hotels and guesthouses. Most are within 30-40 minutes of the tea mountains.

English isn’t widely spoken, so bring a translation app or a phrasebook—unless you enjoy the challenge. During harvest season, some tea farmers in Mengku township rent out rooms, but you’ll need to arrange this in advance, usually through local contacts or maybe your driver if you’ve got one.

Young sheng pu-erh really shines next to fatty pork dishes—that classic Yunnan richness just begs for a tea that cuts through. If you’re feeling adventurous, check out Dai or Lahu minority restaurants for grilled fish and bamboo-cooked rice, which both play well with aged pu-erh.

Honestly, it’s smart to skip spicy food right before a serious tasting. Your palate will thank you. Steamed veggies or plain rice crackers are perfect if you want to actually taste what’s in your cup between brews.