The 130-Year-Old Coffee Trees of Yunnan’s Zhukula Village

When you think about the roots of coffee in China, the story doesn’t start in a modern roastery or a hip café—it begins in a remote mountain village surrounded by wild, living coffee trees that have survived for over a century. That place is Zhukula, tucked away in the mountains of Yunnan, where a French missionary planted coffee in 1892 and changed the course of Chinese coffee forever.

The heart of China’s oldest coffee trees sits in Zhukula Village: 24 coffee trees over 100 years old, part of a 13-acre plot of 1,134 Typica (also known locally as 'Typica') trees introduced by a French priest in 1892. These are considered the oldest living coffee trees in China.

The Remote Village Where China’s Oldest Coffee Trees Grow

Zhukula Village lies deep in the mountains of Pingchuan Town, Binchuan County, Yunnan Province. Nestled between the borders of Chuxiong, Dali, and Lijiang, it’s surrounded by the Yipao River, a tributary of the Jinsha. Isolated by rough terrain, Zhukula remains one of the least-known Yi ethnic villages in the region.

"The 13-acre ancient coffee forest is considered China’s oldest because it includes 24 coffee trees over 100 years old, all pure Yunnan smallholder Typica," says local resident Tan Jialin. "Their quality is extremely rare and they’re seen as the ancestors of Yunnan’s—especially Zhukula’s—coffee. They hold high scientific and industrial value."

How Coffee Came to Zhukula in 1892

In 1892, a French Catholic priest known as Father Fuan arrived in Zhukula to establish a mission. Along with building a church, he introduced the local Yi people to coffee. He planted a small coffee garden, taught villagers how to grow, roast, and even sell coffee. This marked the beginning of a long-standing coffee tradition in the village.

"That coffee was planted by Father Tian. It’s been 117 years. When I was a child, it was already as tall as a house, with a canopy like this," recalls 86-year-old Li Fusheng, the village’s first village chief. In 1948, he led efforts to expand coffee farming to 80 acres. But in 1983, a heavy snowstorm killed most trees outside the village. Today, only the original 13-acre plot remains, with 1,134 surviving trees—24 of them over a century old.

Preserving a Living Coffee Relic

"Saving old Yunnan coffee varieties means protecting China’s place in global coffee history," says cultural scholar Huang Shuyun. Local experts note that the surviving trees are of the Typica variety, also called 'Typica', now rare in Yunnan. This makes Zhukula’s trees not just culturally significant, but botanically important.

The local government has recognized their value. Binchuan County allocates 100,000 RMB annually to protect and develop the 'Zhukula Century-Old Coffee' brand. Yang Tiwu, an agricultural officer stationed in Zhukula, oversees seedling propagation. "Our priorities are irrigation, pest control, pruning—and then propagation," he says. After seven months of care, these old-variety seedlings will be offered free to farmers in three nearby villages next year. For every acre successfully grown, farmers receive a 500 RMB subsidy to encourage cultivation and safeguard the genetic lineage.

How the Locals Still Drink Coffee Their Way

Over generations, coffee became a daily ritual for Zhukula’s Yi villagers. "Everyone here drinks coffee, men and women, young and old," says villager Qi Fenghua. They roast and grind beans themselves using iron pans and stone mills. The recipe? A closely guarded family secret—not shared even with wives or daughters.

The village is surrounded by lush coffee trees. In late autumn, even unripe beans show hints of red. Though full maturity is still weeks away, the trees’ deep green canopies and the golden light of the season create an almost mythical atmosphere. It’s easy to see why locals call it a hidden paradise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Zhukula Village located?

Zhukula Village is in Pingchuan Town, Binchuan County, Yunnan Province, near the border of Chuxiong, Dali, and Lijiang. It sits beside the Yipao River, a tributary of the Jinsha, and is surrounded by mountains.

How old are the coffee trees in Zhukula?

The oldest coffee trees in Zhukula are over 100 years old. Specifically, 24 trees were planted by a French missionary in 1892 and are still standing today.

Who introduced coffee to Zhukula?

Coffee was introduced to Zhukula in 1892 by a French Catholic priest known as Father Fuan , who built a church and taught locals how to plant, roast, and drink coffee.

Are the old coffee trees in Zhukula still producing?

Yes, the 1,134 surviving trees, including 24 over 100 years old, are still bearing fruit. Some beans show red hues before full maturity, typically harvested next month.

What is being done to preserve Zhukula’s coffee trees?

The local government provides 100,000 RMB yearly to protect the trees. Seedlings from the old trees are being propagated and will be given free to nearby villages, with subsidies for successful planting.

How do the villagers prepare their coffee?

Villagers traditionally roast and grind coffee using iron pans and stone mills. Each family has its own method, often kept secret within the household.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Historic Coffee Context

To explore the heritage behind Zhukula’s century-old Typica trees, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Yunnan Arabica, a washed Yunnan Typica processed for balance and clarity with notes of almond, chocolate, and mild plum acidity. For a deeper dive, their 2013 Natural Typica offers a more vintage expression: sun-dried berries, caramel sweetness, and hints of dried apricot, with a tea-like finish. Both beans connect directly to the genetic lineage preserved in Zhukula. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.