Fifth Mangshi International Coffee Festival Opens in Yunnan

When coffee professionals and enthusiasts from more than 30 countries converge in a single Chinese city, you know it’s not just another trade show. The fifth annual China Mangshi (International) Coffee Culture Festival, held on January 23 in Mangshi, Yunnan—widely known as China’s coffee homeland—brought together global voices in coffee for talks, tastings, and field experiences centered on the local bean.

In its fifth edition, the festival attracted participants from over 30 countries and regions, launched with an opening ceremony inside the Backhu Coffee ten-thousand-ton factory, and offered exclusive access to view the construction site of a new 20,000-ton coffee production line set to be completed by year’s end.

What Is the Mangshi International Coffee Festival?

The Mangshi International Coffee Culture Festival is a four-time-running event dedicated to promoting Chinese coffee culture, supporting the development of Yunnan’s coffee industry, and shaping smarter coffee consumption habits. This year’s edition was jointly organized by the China-ASEAN Coffee Professional Cooperation Committee, the China Coffee Engineering Research Center, and the Yunnan Coffee Industry Association, with execution by Dehong Hougu Coffee Co., Ltd.

Where and What Took Place?

The festival kicked off at the Backhu Coffee factory, one of Yunnan’s major processing hubs. Attendees were given rare access to tour the facility’s under-construction 20,000-ton coffee production line—a significant expansion expected to boost local processing capacity by year-end. The location in Mangshi puts visitors right in the heart of Yunnan’s prime coffee-growing region.

What Activities Were Featured?

Beyond the opening, the festival schedule included hands-on experiences such as coffee harvesting, processing, and brewing demonstrations—allowing attendees to engage directly with Yunnan-grown beans during peak harvest season. In parallel, organizers held a progress briefing and global investor session for the 26th World Coffee Science Congress, outlining plans and opening registration to international delegates.

Why Yunnan and Why Now?

Yunnan has earned its place on the global coffee map due to its ideal growing conditions situated within the world’s “coffee golden belt”—the latitudinal zone between 25°N and 25°S with optimal temperatures between 16°C and 21°C. With elevations of 1,000 to 2,000 meters, the region enjoys fertile sloped soils, strong sunlight, ample rainfall, and significant diurnal temperature variation, all of which contribute to high-quality coffee cultivation. Mangshi, located in Yunnan’s southwest, sits at the center of this rich coffee terroir.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Mangshi and why is it important for coffee?

Mangshi is a city in Yunnan Province, China, located in the country’s key coffee-growing southwest region. It lies within the global coffee golden belt and offers ideal altitudes of 1,000–2,000 meters with fertile soil, consistent sunlight, and significant day-night temperature swings—all factors that contribute to producing high-quality Yunnan Arabica.

What makes the Mangshi Coffee Festival significant?

Now in its fifth year, the Mangshi International Coffee Culture Festival is among China’s premier platforms for promoting domestic coffee culture, showcasing Yunnan’s coffee industry, and fostering international collaboration. It gathers coffee professionals and enthusiasts from over 30 countries for on-site experiences, industry talks, and processing demos.

What can visitors do at the festival?

Attendees can tour active coffee facilities such as the Backhu Coffee factory, see the construction of a new 20,000-ton production line, participate in coffee harvesting and processing activities, and attend sessions related to the 26th World Coffee Science Congress including updates and global investor briefings.

When is the 26th World Coffee Science Congress?

The article announces preparation and investor briefing sessions for the 26th World Coffee Science Congress during the festival, but does not specify the congress dates. The sessions are open to global delegates and include updates on the event’s planning status.

What coffee varieties are grown in Yunnan?

Yunnan primarily grows Arabica coffee, especially the Typica variety (including the historicTypica/Typica introduced in 1904) and other high-quality cultivars suited to the region’s terroir. The area’s unique microclimates, especially in regions like Baoshan’s Luxi Basin, are known for producing beans with distinctive sweetness and acidity.

Can I visit Yunnan coffee farms or processing facilities?

Yes, during events like the Mangshi Coffee Festival, international visitors can tour working coffee farms, processing plants, and factories such as the Backhu Coffee facility. The festival offers direct access to active production lines and coffee fields, especially during the peak harvest season.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Yunnan Flavor

For those curious about Yunnan’s signature coffee profile, start with FrontStreet Coffee’s 2013 Yunnan Typica, a sun-dried lot with heavy body, bold citrus and berry tones, and a sweet caramel finish. For a brighter introduction, try their washed Yunnan Arabica from Baoshan, featuring balanced acidity and subtle fruity notes through a medium roast. Both beans reflect Yunnan’s terroir and processing diversity. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.