茶山村的開拓歷史裡，相傳最早的定居者是已消失的「達古布亞努族」。目前，村落內的梯田，還可以撿拾到石箭、石斧、石鋤等器物，並且有切割整齊的石棺，因此村民確信早年的確有這個族居住。但在清朝時因內部戰爭，以及流行瘟疫，人口銳減，近乎滅族。僅留下山美村社（方）姓人家。
In the pioneering history of Chashan Village, it is said that the earliest settlers were the vanished "Takppuyangu". At present, stone arrows, stone axes, stone hoes and other artifacts can be found in the terraced fields of the village, as well as neatly cut sarcophagi, so that the villagers believe that the "Takppuyangu" tribe did live there in the early years. However, during the Qing dynasty, due to internal wars and epidemics, the population declined sharply and the clan was almost extinct. Only the Fang family in Shanmei Village remained.
在日據時期，茶山仍屬於農場用地。直到光復後，才由台南縣政府撥入今之阿里山鄉(昔稱吳鳳鄉)。當時吳鳳鄉(即今阿里山鄉)鄉長高一生，積極鼓勵族人遷往定居。鄒族子民才分三批移入茶山地區。目前有100多戶，500多人。鄒族人佔60%，漢人30%（大部分是閩南人）、布農族佔10%。目前，茶山的產業以竹筍、茶葉、山茶為大宗。
During the period of Japanese occupation, Chashan was still considered farmlands. It was only after the restoration of Taiwan that the Tainan County Government transferred the land to Alishan Township (formerly known as Wufeng Township). At that time, the Chief of Wufeng Township (now Alishan Township), Mr. Kao Yi-Sheng, actively encouraged the Tsou people to move there. The Tsou people then moved into the Chashan area in three batches. At present, there are more than 100 families with a population of over 500 people. The Tsou make up 60% of the population, 30% are Han Chinese (most of whom are Minnan) and 10% are Bunun. Today, the major industries in Chashan are bamboo shoots, tea leaves and camellia.
傳統習俗裡，茶山的夏季是農忙時期，冬天晚上老人家會聚集烤火一起講故事。11月到12月進行開墾火燒山。12月是農閒期。2至4月播種，4至5月在河流捕魚的活動最盛行。5月至6月是雨季， 這時期會狩獵，直至8月，因動物懷孕才停止狩獵。此時魚也會到上游去產卵，抓魚時用畚箕，大雨時魚會躲在河旁草堆容易抓到。
Traditionally, summer is the busy season for farming in Chashan; in winter, the old folks gather together to tell stories over a fire. From November to December, the mountain is cultivated and debris burned, and December is the off season for farming; from February to April, seeds are sown, and fishing in the rivers is most popular from April to May; the rainy season is from May to June, and hunting is practiced until August, when the animals are pregnant. Fish also swim upstream to spawn during this time, and a dustpan is used to catch them, but during heavy rains, fish hide in the grass near the river and can be caught easily.
在行政上，茶山村區分為5鄰。第1鄰是亞比亞娜（yaviana）。位於從新美到茶山村入口，對岸為大埔鄉，目前主要為漢人部落。第2鄰竹之屋（cucuu），位本村東部山地，距村治6公里，距雅米阿娜4公里，有農路相通。第3鄰到第5鄰總稱為珈雅瑪（cayamavana），為村治所在。
Administratively, Chashan Village is divided into five neighborhoods. The first neighborhood is Yaviana, which is located at the entrance to Chashan Village from Xinmei, across the river from Dapu Township, and is currently populated mainly by Han Chinese tribes. The second neighborhood, Cucuu, is located in the eastern part of the village, 6 kilometers from the village headquarters and 4 kilometers from Yamiana, and is connected by a farm road. The third to fifth neighborhoods are generally called "Cayamavana" and are located in the main area of the village, where the village headquarters is located.
茶山村西南隅為曾文溪左岸與支流間之河岸切割階地，大埔橋在西南方6公里處，北距新美10公里，向東有路可達高雄市那瑪夏區的民生里（舊民生村），交通區位方便，但莫拉克風災後，路況欠佳，欲行駛前仍須洽詢最新的道路現況，以策安全。
The southwest corner of Chashan Village is a cut terrace between the left bank of the Zsengwen River and its tributaries. The Dapu Bridge is 6 km to the southwest, 10 km to the north of Xinmei, and there is a road to Minshengli (the old Minsheng Village) in the Namasia District of Kaohsiung City to the east. Although the location is convenient, road conditions are poor after Typhoon Morakot, so check the latest road conditions for safety before driving.
在自然景觀方面，茶山亦有許多豐富的原始山林與溪谷景觀，大致可分為四個區。第一區為村內 景點，第二區為大石壁和蝙蝠洞，第三區在卓武山、木瓜寮和玉打山，第四區在往大埔的茶山古 道路線上。遊客前往時，不妨向在地人諮詢。由當地人嚮導，應能認識更多。
In terms of natural scenery, Chashan is also rich in pristine forests and valleys, which can be roughly divided into four zones. The first zone is the scenic spot within the village, the second zone is the Big Rock Slope and Bat Cave, the third zone is at Zhuo Wu Mountain, Mukua Liao and Yu Ta Mountain, and the fourth zone is along the Chashan old road to Dapu. Tourists may wish to consult the locals when visiting the village. Local people should be able to guide you to learn more about the area.
