Where Yunnan Coffee Farming Really Began

When you’re trying to trace the roots of Chinese specialty coffee, you’ll often hit a dead end—until you land in Zhukula. This remote village in Yunnan isn’t just another mountain hamlet. It’s where, in 1892, a French priest planted the first known coffee trees in China, starting an uninterrupted coffee-growing tradition that still thrives today.

In 1892, French missionary Father Tian planted the first coffee trees in Zhukula, using seeds he grew from coffee fruit. Over a century later, 24 coffee trees over 90 years old still stand in the village, all descendants of those original plants.

The Village Behind China’s First Coffee Trees

Zhukula is a small, isolated natural village under the jurisdiction of Zhukula Village Committee, Pingchuan Town, Binchuan County, Dali Prefecture. It sits beside the Yipao River, a tributary of the Jinsha River, right where Dali, Chuxiong, and Lijiang prefectures meet. Its location alone makes it historically significant—but its coffee legacy is what truly sets it apart.

Originally called “Ruokelai” in the local Yi language, meaning “winding mountain path,” the name Zhukula was given by Father Tian in 1892. He blended Yi linguistic roots with French romanticism, and the name is now often interpreted to mean “heaven on earth.”

The First Coffee Trees in China

According to local accounts, Father Tian planted the first coffee tree just outside the church using coffee fruit. He then cultivated more trees and planted them around the church. That marked the beginning of coffee cultivation in Zhukula, with the village eventually becoming surrounded by coffee trees.

The two oldest residents, Qi Guanghui and Li Fusheng, both in their eighties, have witnessed the growth of what is now considered China’s oldest surviving coffee plantation. Despite the village’s poverty, coffee has remained a constant.

A Living Coffee Culture

Zhukula may be underdeveloped, but its connection to coffee runs deep. Coffee farming is universal among villagers, and so is the tradition of drinking coffee: they roast, grind, and brew their own beans. Today, people of all ages in the village drink coffee regularly.

Villagers have a profound emotional attachment to their coffee trees. Even though coffee hasn’t brought them economic gain, not a single tree has been cut down. When receiving guests, locals serve coffee brewed in clay pots along with walnuts—a simple preparation, but one that reflects deep respect and love for the crop. It’s this raw, unfiltered coffee culture that has earned Zhukula a reputation as the “first coffee village of China.”

The Coffee Varieties That Started It All

The coffee trees in Zhukula’s plantation belong to the Arabica species, specifically the smallholding varieties Typica and Bourbon. These are the same genetic foundations that, over a century later, form the backbone of Yunnan’s modern specialty coffee industry.

Today, Yunnan has over 21,000 hectares of planted Arabica coffee, with much of it tracing lineage back to these early plantings in Zhukula.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Zhukula and why is it important?

Zhukula is a village in Pingchuan Town, Binchuan County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan. It lies at the junction of Dali, Chuxiong, and Lijiang prefectures, beside the Yipao River. It’s historically important because it’s the birthplace of coffee cultivation in China, starting with the first coffee trees planted there in 1892.

Who planted the first coffee trees in China and when?

The first coffee trees in China were planted in 1892 by French missionary Father Tian in Zhukula. He initially grew the first tree from coffee fruit near the church and later expanded the planting around the church grounds.

How old are the original coffee trees in Zhukula?

As of the report, 24 coffee trees in Zhukula are over 90 years old, making them direct descendants of the trees planted by Father Tian in 1892. They are among the oldest living coffee trees in China.

What coffee varieties are grown in Zhukula?

The coffee trees in Zhukula are of the Arabica species, specifically the Typica and Bourbon varieties. These traditional cultivars are foundational to Yunnan’s coffee heritage and continue to influence its coffee profile today.

Do villagers in Zhukula still grow and drink coffee?

Yes, coffee farming and consumption remain a daily part of life in Zhukula. Villagers grow their own beans, roast and grind them, and brew coffee traditionally. Both young and old regularly drink coffee, and the trees are culturally valued—even when not economically profitable.

How much Arabica coffee is grown in Yunnan today?

Yunnan currently has over 21,000 hectares planted with Arabica coffee. This large-scale cultivation has historical roots in the early plantings made in villages like Zhukula more than a century ago.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Yunnan Origins

Start your Yunnan coffee journey with FrontStreet’s Yunnan Arabica, a washed, medium-roasted coffee sourced from Baoshan that highlights soft nutty and chocolatey tones with a touch of plum acidity—ideal for tasting classic Yunnan character. For deeper exploration, try the 2013 Natural Typica, made from fully ripe red cherries and sun-dried to bring out wild berry, caramel, and dried apricot notes with a tea-like finish. Both beans reflect the genetic legacy of the Typica and Bourbon varieties first cultivated in Zhukula. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.