霜降Frost's Descent
老班章生茶
Lǎo Bānzhāng shēngchá

Lao Banzhang sheng pu'er

draft
idlao-banzhang-sheng
lao-banzhang-sheng

Sheng Pu-er identified with Lao Banzhang village in Menghai; a precise village-origin claim that needs lot-level provenance.

Category
Dark teaDark tea 黑茶
Style
sheng
Part of
Sheng pu'er
Forms
Cake, Loose leaf
Region
Cultivars
Yunnan large-leaf
Harvest
Spring

Character#

Often described in the trade as forceful, bitter and full-bodied with returning sweetness. These are tasting expectations, not tests of village origin or guarantees of ageing potential.

Also sold or written as 6#

Chinese variants
  • 老班章Lǎo BānzhāngLao Banzhang
  • 班章王Bān zhāng wángBanzhang Wang — king of BanzhangCommon Chinese marketing epithet ('king of Banzhang').
Translations and trade names
  • Lao Ban Zhang
  • Laobanzhang raw
  • LBZ (Xizihao 2006 series)On forums, LBZ can also mean Xizihao's 2006 'Lao Banzhang' Taiji wrappers specifically.
Abbreviations
  • LBZ

Names and ambiguities#

Banzhang vs. Lao Banzhang vs. Xin Banzhang vs. Lao Man'e

'Banzhang' can mean the single village of Lao Banzhang, the Banzhang administrative village (which also includes Xin Banzhang and Lao Man'e), or the 'Banzhang five villages' (adding Bakanan and Bakalong). 'Da Banzhang' is used for a broad flavour zone. Xin Banzhang was founded by people from Lao Banzhang and has younger trees. 'Xiao Banzhang' is a different area south of Bulang named only for taste similarity. A cake labelled 'Banzhang' without 'Lao' is very often not Lao Banzhang.

234

Supply vs. labels

Lao Banzhang's limited ancient-tree output is far smaller than the volume of tea sold under its name, and 2020 purchase prices separated 'mixed' from 'selected' picks by thousands of yuan per kg. The village name alone does not tell you tree age or picking.

5

Notes#

A precise origin claim#

Lao Banzhang is narrower than a broad Banzhang label. A meaningful description identifies the claimed garden or village, harvest, maker and whether material is blended. A sensory impression alone cannot verify those facts.

What traceability can look like#

In 2023 the Pu-er inspection institute reported a specific Lao Banzhang project with Gu Yun Liu Xiang, recording a defined source base and the chain from fresh-leaf picking through primary manufacture and warehousing. Its account describes individual codes and inspection records. This demonstrates a documented approach for that project; it is not certification of every product sold as Lao Banzhang.

1

Tree age is a separate claim#

Old-tree, single-tree and single-village labels describe different things. A seller’s exact wording and supporting evidence matter; an expensive village name does not prove all three.

1

Where to buy#

Price ranks compare recorded retail offers for the same tea, including offers outside the current delivery filter. Shipping and import charges are excluded.

Prices compared in the selected currency; unknown values appear last.
ProductVendorPricePer 100 g
Lao Banzhang Sheng Pu'er
Lowest of 4
Stated year: 2021
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang
Details
Compare the details

Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.

Area as stated
Banzhang, 1,600–1,750 m
Tree age / type
about 150–200 years (gushu)
Yoshi en
Selected destinations

EU · UK · Switzerland · Norway · Canada

Shipping policy
€215.90 / 357 g $67.82
€60.48 / 100 g
≈ $4.75 a session
Lao Ban Zhang Old Tree Sheng Dragon Balls
Lower quarter of 5
Stated year: 2020
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang
Details
Compare the details

Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.

Tree age / type
old tree; "Feather" varietal
Crimson Lotus Tea
Worldwide
$4.99 / 5 g $99.80
≈ $6.99 a session
Real Deal Lao Banzhang
Lowest of 4
Leaf harvest year: 2003
Claimed origin: China
Meetea
Selected destinations

Limited coverage: EU, Other destinations. Only some destinations are covered. Check the shipping policy for your address.

USA · Canada · UK · EU · Other destinations

Shipping policy
CZK 1,460 / 50 g $134.60
CZK 2,920 / 100 g
≈ $9.42 a session
Lao Ban Zhang Raw Pu'er Tea Cake
Lowest of 4
Stated year: 2009
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang
Details
Compare the details

Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.

Tree age / type
400–500 years, "wild ancient arbor"
Yunnan Sourcing
Selected destinations

USA · Canada · EU · UK · Switzerland · Norway · Russia · Japan · South Korea · Hong Kong · Singapore · Malaysia · Thailand · Australia · New Zealand

Shipping policy
$544.50 / 250 g $217.80
≈ $15.25 a session
Gu Ming Xiang Lao Ban Zhang Gu Shu Raw Pu'er Tea Cake
Stated year: 2010
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang
Details
Compare the details

Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.

Tree age / type
gushu
Storage
Kunming
Yunnan Sourcing
Selected destinations

USA · Canada · EU · UK · Switzerland · Norway · Russia · Japan · South Korea · Hong Kong · Singapore · Malaysia · Thailand · Australia · New Zealand

Shipping policy
$883.25 / 400 g $220.81
≈ $15.46 a session
Lao Ban Zhang Spring
Stated year: 2017
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang
Tea Urchin
Selected destinations
$480.00 / 200 g $240.00
≈ $16.80 a session
2026 Chen Sheng Hao Lao Ban Zhang Raw Pu'er Cake (357 g)
Lowest of 6
Pressing year: 2026
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang, Bulang Shan, Menghai, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China
Details and price notes
Compare the details

Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.

Packaging role
Original producer packaging

Shop base currency USD; price re-read in USD on 2026-11-03 for the 357 g cake (variant 43334149472304). Free shipping on orders over $70 USD.

Chen Sheng Hao
Selected destinations

USA · Canada · UK · EU · Australia · Other destinations

Chen Sheng Hao
$921.00 / 357 g $257.98
≈ $18.06 a session
Lao Banzhang autumn
Lower quarter of 6
Stated year: 2025
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang
Details
Compare the details

Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.

Area as stated
autumn 2025 picking
pu-erh.sk
Worldwide

EU · USA · Worldwide

Shipping policy
€23.38 / 10 g $262.21
€233.80 / 100 g
≈ $18.35 a session
2007 Chen Yuan Hao Lao Banzhang Raw Pu'er Sample (50 g)
Mid-range of 5
Pressing year: 2007
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang, Bulang Shan, Menghai, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China
Details and price notes
Compare the details

Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.

Packaging role
Repacked by vendor

Shop base currency GBP. The seller's pages do not state whether this price includes tax. Excludes shipping.

Puerh Guy
Selected destinations

UK · EU · USA · Canada · Australia · Other destinations

Puerh Guy
£125.00 / 50 g $333.67
£250.00 / 100 g
≈ $23.36 a session
2017 Gold Mark Lao Ban Zhang T5 Raw Pu-erh (25 g)
Stated year: 2017
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang, Bulang Mountain, Menghai, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China
Details and price notes
Compare the details

Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.

Packaging role
Repacked by vendor

25 g cake sample (variation 4584) at £75.00 GBP; 1 g (£3.50) and ~80–85 g triangle slice (£220.00) also in stock.

Puerh.uk
Worldwide
£75.00 / 25 g $400.40
£300.00 / 100 g
≈ $28.03 a session
Lao Banzhang Gushu
Mid-range of 6
Stated year: 2026
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang
Details
Compare the details

Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.

Area as stated
Lao Banzhang; leaf through a long-standing contact with a village head
Tree age / type
gushu
pu-erh.sk
Worldwide

EU · USA · Worldwide

Shipping policy
€770.58 / 200 g $432.10
€385.29 / 100 g
≈ $30.25 a session
Lao Banzhang Imperial Sheng Pu'er
Mid-range of 4
Stated year: 2021
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang
Details
Compare the details

Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.

Area as stated
Banzhang, 1,700–1,900 m
Tree age / type
about 300 years (gushu)
Yoshi en
Selected destinations

EU · UK · Switzerland · Norway · Canada

Shipping policy
€1,400 / 357 g $439.77
€392.13 / 100 g
≈ $30.78 a session
Lao Banzhang '06
Mid-range of 6
Stated year: 2006
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang
Details
Compare the details

Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.

Area as stated
Liming factory (Ba Jiao Ting sub-brand) 1 kg cake
pu-erh.sk
Worldwide

EU · USA · Worldwide

Shipping policy
€58.63 / 10 g $657.54
€586.30 / 100 g
≈ $46.03 a session
Lao Banzhang '05
Upper quarter of 5
Stated year: 2005
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang
Details
Compare the details

Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.

Area as stated
Liming factory (Ba Jiao Ting sub-brand) 1 kg cake
pu-erh.sk
Worldwide

EU · USA · Worldwide

Shipping policy
€68.51 / 10 g $768.34
€685.10 / 100 g
≈ $53.78 a session
Lao Banzhang '03
Highest of 4
Stated year: 2003
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang
Details
Compare the details

Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.

Area as stated
Liming factory (Ba Jiao Ting sub-brand) 1 kg cake
pu-erh.sk
Worldwide

EU · USA · Worldwide

Shipping policy
€78.76 / 10 g $883.29
€787.60 / 100 g
≈ $61.83 a session
Lao Ban Zhang 800+ Years Old Tree 1st Pick Green Pu'er
Mid-range of 8
Stated year: 2024
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang
Details
Compare the details

Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.

Area as stated
first spring picking
Tree age / type
800+ years
Tea Habitat
Worldwide

USA · Worldwide

Shipping policy
$255.00 / 28.35 g $899.47
≈ $62.96 a session
Lao Ban Zhang 800+ Years Old Tree 1st Pick Green Pu'er
sold outMid-range of 6
Stated year: 2026
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang
Details
Compare the details

Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.

Area as stated
first spring picking
Tree age / type
800+ years
Tea Habitat
Worldwide

USA · Worldwide

Shipping policy
$255.00 / 28.35 g $899.47
≈ $62.96 a session
Lao Ban Zhang King Ancient Tree Green Pu'er
Highest of 6
Stated year: 2026
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang
Details
Compare the details

Recorded seller claims; a blank means unrecorded here, not necessarily absent from the seller’s page. Matching production does not establish identical storage or condition.

Area as stated
first spring picking
Tree age / type
"King" ancient tree
Tea Habitat
Worldwide

USA · Worldwide

Shipping policy
$465.00 / 28.35 g $1,640
≈ $114.81 a session
Price references 2

For comparison only. These are not retail offers or confirmation of delivery to your selected destination. Compare the same batch, date and pack size; shipping and taxes may differ.

Prices compared in the selected currency; unknown values appear last.
ProductVendorPricePer 100 g
陈升号 老班章青饼 357克 参考价
China market quote
quote of 2026-06-08 · checked: 2026-10-18
Stated year: 2022
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang
ZZCTea CN¥85,000 / 9996 g $127.33
CN¥850.34 / 100 g
雨林档案·老班章(传统系列)
Brand suggested price
checked: 2026-10-18
Stated year: 2025
Claimed origin: Lao Banzhang
Yulin Gucha Fang suggested price CN¥1,230 / 84 g $219.27
CN¥1,464 / 100 g

Prices recorded on the dates checked. Conversions use ECB rates dated 2026-10-20; original prices appear alongside. Origin, age and cultivar are stated by the vendor.

Prices by sales channel#

Prices by sales channel20 prices per 100 g, from $67.82 to $1,640.China reference range$50$100$200$500$1,000$2,000China market quoteZZCTea · 陈升号 老班章青饼 357克 参考价 · $127.33 per 100 gBrand suggested priceYulin Gucha Fang suggested price · 雨林档案·老班章(传统系列) · $219.27 per 100 gInternational retailYoshi en · Lao Banzhang Sheng Pu'er · $67.82 per 100 gCrimson Lotus Tea · Lao Ban Zhang Old Tree Sheng Dragon Balls · $99.80 per 100 gMeetea · Real Deal Lao Banzhang · $134.60 per 100 gYunnan Sourcing · Lao Ban Zhang Raw Pu'er Tea Cake · $217.80 per 100 gYunnan Sourcing · Gu Ming Xiang Lao Ban Zhang Gu Shu Raw Pu'er Tea Cake · $220.81 per 100 gTea Urchin · Lao Ban Zhang Spring · $240.00 per 100 gChen Sheng Hao · 2026 Chen Sheng Hao Lao Ban Zhang Raw Pu'er Cake (357 g) · $257.98 per 100 gpu-erh.sk · Lao Banzhang autumn · $262.21 per 100 gPuerh Guy · 2007 Chen Yuan Hao Lao Banzhang Raw Pu'er Sample (50 g) · $333.67 per 100 gPuerh.uk · 2017 Gold Mark Lao Ban Zhang T5 Raw Pu-erh (25 g) · $400.40 per 100 gpu-erh.sk · Lao Banzhang Gushu · $432.10 per 100 gYoshi en · Lao Banzhang Imperial Sheng Pu'er · $439.77 per 100 gpu-erh.sk · Lao Banzhang '06 · $657.54 per 100 gpu-erh.sk · Lao Banzhang '05 · $768.34 per 100 gpu-erh.sk · Lao Banzhang '03 · $883.29 per 100 gTea Habitat · Lao Ban Zhang 800+ Years Old Tree 1st Pick Green Pu'er · $899.47 per 100 gTea Habitat · Lao Ban Zhang 800+ Years Old Tree 1st Pick Green Pu'er · $899.47 per 100 gTea Habitat · Lao Ban Zhang King Ancient Tree Green Pu'er · $1,640 per 100 gprice per 100 g, USD, log scale
Prices by sales channel20 prices per 100 g, from $67.82 to $1,640.China reference range$100$300$1,000China market quoteZZCTea · 陈升号 老班章青饼 357克 参考价 · $127.33 per 100 gBrand suggested priceYulin Gucha Fang suggested price · 雨林档案·老班章(传统系列) · $219.27 per 100 gInternational retailYoshi en · Lao Banzhang Sheng Pu'er · $67.82 per 100 gCrimson Lotus Tea · Lao Ban Zhang Old Tree Sheng Dragon Balls · $99.80 per 100 gMeetea · Real Deal Lao Banzhang · $134.60 per 100 gYunnan Sourcing · Lao Ban Zhang Raw Pu'er Tea Cake · $217.80 per 100 gYunnan Sourcing · Gu Ming Xiang Lao Ban Zhang Gu Shu Raw Pu'er Tea Cake · $220.81 per 100 gTea Urchin · Lao Ban Zhang Spring · $240.00 per 100 gChen Sheng Hao · 2026 Chen Sheng Hao Lao Ban Zhang Raw Pu'er Cake (357 g) · $257.98 per 100 gpu-erh.sk · Lao Banzhang autumn · $262.21 per 100 gPuerh Guy · 2007 Chen Yuan Hao Lao Banzhang Raw Pu'er Sample (50 g) · $333.67 per 100 gPuerh.uk · 2017 Gold Mark Lao Ban Zhang T5 Raw Pu-erh (25 g) · $400.40 per 100 gpu-erh.sk · Lao Banzhang Gushu · $432.10 per 100 gYoshi en · Lao Banzhang Imperial Sheng Pu'er · $439.77 per 100 gpu-erh.sk · Lao Banzhang '06 · $657.54 per 100 gpu-erh.sk · Lao Banzhang '05 · $768.34 per 100 gpu-erh.sk · Lao Banzhang '03 · $883.29 per 100 gTea Habitat · Lao Ban Zhang 800+ Years Old Tree 1st Pick Green Pu'er · $899.47 per 100 gTea Habitat · Lao Ban Zhang 800+ Years Old Tree 1st Pick Green Pu'er · $899.47 per 100 gTea Habitat · Lao Ban Zhang King Ancient Tree Green Pu'er · $1,640 per 100 gprice per 100 g, USD, log scale

China market quote Brand suggested price International retail

China reference prices centre on about $219.27 per 100 g. 2 international listing(s) cost less than half of that, so their origin claims deserve a closer look.

Show as table
ProductVendorChannelper 100 g
Lao Banzhang Sheng Pu'erYoshi en International retail$67.82
Lao Ban Zhang Old Tree Sheng Dragon BallsCrimson Lotus Tea International retail$99.80
陈升号 老班章青饼 357克 参考价ZZCTea China market quote$127.33
Real Deal Lao BanzhangMeetea International retail$134.60
Lao Ban Zhang Raw Pu'er Tea CakeYunnan Sourcing International retail$217.80
雨林档案·老班章(传统系列)Yulin Gucha Fang suggested price Brand suggested price$219.27
Gu Ming Xiang Lao Ban Zhang Gu Shu Raw Pu'er Tea CakeYunnan Sourcing International retail$220.81
Lao Ban Zhang SpringTea Urchin International retail$240.00
2026 Chen Sheng Hao Lao Ban Zhang Raw Pu'er Cake (357 g)Chen Sheng Hao International retail$257.98
Lao Banzhang autumnpu-erh.sk International retail$262.21
2007 Chen Yuan Hao Lao Banzhang Raw Pu'er Sample (50 g)Puerh Guy International retail$333.67
2017 Gold Mark Lao Ban Zhang T5 Raw Pu-erh (25 g)Puerh.uk International retail$400.40
Lao Banzhang Gushupu-erh.sk International retail$432.10
Lao Banzhang Imperial Sheng Pu'erYoshi en International retail$439.77
Lao Banzhang '06pu-erh.sk International retail$657.54
Lao Banzhang '05pu-erh.sk International retail$768.34
Lao Banzhang '03pu-erh.sk International retail$883.29
Lao Ban Zhang 800+ Years Old Tree 1st Pick Green Pu'erTea Habitat International retail$899.47
Lao Ban Zhang 800+ Years Old Tree 1st Pick Green Pu'erTea Habitat International retail$899.47
Lao Ban Zhang King Ancient Tree Green Pu'erTea Habitat International retail$1,640

Sources#