Longjing Tea

Hangzhou is one of the homelands of Chinese tea, and tea culture holds a supreme position in Hangzhou's culture. Longjing tea, with a history of thousands of years, ranks among the top ten famous teas in China due to its four distinctive features: emerald green color, fragrant aroma, sweet taste, and elegant appearance. It is renowned worldwide. The Longjing tea villages in Hangzhou are each unique, nestled by mountains and waters, shrouded in mist, and blessed with exceptional natural conditions that have nurtured the unique quality of Longjing tea. These tea villages are mainly distributed in the mountainous areas of Xihu District, Hangzhou, where the superior natural environment and climatic conditions have produced top-quality Longjing tea with a mellow and fragrant taste. Visitors can tour these tea villages, learn about the planting and harvesting processes of tea leaves, and experience the joy of tea picking firsthand.

1. Introduction to Major Tea Gardens in Hangzhou

1）Longjing Village
Longjing Village in Hangzhou is one of the core production areas of West Lake Longjing tea. With a long history of tea planting and processing, the tea farmers here have made a living from tea for generations and enjoy the reputation of "The First Tea Village." Surrounded by mountains on all sides and shrouded in mist, Longjing Village boasts a picturesque landscape with well-organized tea gardens. Visitors can tour the tea gardens, taste tea, and learn about tea art here.

Location: Situated in the southwest of the West Lake Scenic Area, surrounded by mountains on all sides.

Characteristics: With a long history of tea planting dating back to the Ming Dynasty, the tea here is of superior quality and is one of the important production areas of West Lake Longjing tea.

2）Shifeng Longjing Village
Shifeng Longjing Village in Hangzhou is renowned as "The First Village of Longjing Tea," an ancient village famous for producing top-grade West Lake Longjing tea. The Longjing tea produced here ranks first among the "Lion, Dragon, Cloud, and Tiger" teas, known for its exceptional quality and reputation. Shifeng Longjing Village boasts a rich tea culture, where Emperor Qianlong once tasted Longjing tea and designated the eighteen tea trees in front of the temple as "imperial tea." Visitors can admire the terraced tea gardens and the misty natural scenery here, visit the quaint China National Tea Museum (Longjing Branch), and experience the unique tea culture customs of the area.

Location: Located within the first-tier protected area of the West Lake Longjing tea production area.

Characteristics: With about 200 acres of premium tea gardens, the tea here is of exceptional quality. The Shifeng Longjing tea, especially the "pre-Qingming tea," is a superior treasure and a gift for state banquets.
Recommended tour route:
China National Tea Museum (Longjing Branch) → Eight Scenes of Longjing → Gate of Longjing Village → Chessboard Mountain Footpath → Eighteen Trees (Old Longjing) Imperial Tea Garden

3）Meijiawu
The Meijiawu Tea Garden in Hangzhou boasts a unique geographical location surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the river on the south. It is renowned for its meticulously crafted tea, emerald green color, flat and smooth appearance. Inside the tea garden, layers of emerald green tea trees are shrouded in mist. Visitors can tour the tea garden, learn about the planting and harvesting processes of tea leaves, experience the joy of tea picking firsthand, and taste freshly brewed Longjing tea. Additionally, many quaint buildings and traditional tea farmer lifestyles are preserved around the Meijiawu Tea Garden. Visitors can deeply experience Hangzhou's tea culture here, taste authentic farm cuisine, and feel the tranquility and beauty of the tea countryside.

Location: Located in Xianlin Town, the western suburbs of Hangzhou, surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the river on the south.

Characteristics: One of the five core production areas of West Lake Longjing tea, the tea here is meticulously crafted, emerald green in color, and flat and smooth in appearance. The tea liquor is emerald green, with Longjing tea's unique fresh, tender, smooth, sweet, and refreshing flavor.
Recommended tour route:
Nine Creeks Smoky Village → Lian'an Temple → China National Tea Museum → Longjing Village (up the mountain from the northeast gate, down from the west gate) → Shililang Ridge (up the mountain) → Meijiawu (down the mountain)

2.Longjing Tea Culture
In Hangzhou, drinking Longjing tea is not only a gustatory delight but also a cultural experience. Stepping into the Longjing tea gardens, one's eyes are filled with lush greenery, and the air is filled with a faint tea aroma, making people feel refreshed and joyful. In tea houses, a freshly brewed cup of Longjing tea, paired with exquisite tea sets and elegant tea art performances, allows people to appreciate the profoundness of Chinese tea culture while tasting the tea aroma.

3.Unique Experiences in Longjing Tea Gardens

Tea Picking Experience: Visitors can participate in tea picking activities firsthand, learn about the growth cycle and picking techniques of tea leaves, and experience traditional tea processing techniques.

Tea Art Performances and Tea Ceremony Experience
Experienced tea artists will perform captivating tea art performances for visitors, showcasing traditional tea ceremony etiquette and brewing techniques. Visitors can observe tea art performances from a close distance, learn tea ceremony etiquette, feel the connotation and charm of tea culture, and participate in tea ceremony activities firsthand.

4. Precautions for Visiting Tea Gardens:

1）Tea gardens offer little shade, so sunscreen is necessary.

2）Avoid wearing bright colors like lemon yellow, which may attract insects. Insect repellent spray is also a must.

3）Tea picking season: From before the Qingming Festival to May 1st.