Longjing Tea Plantations & National Tea Museum, Hangzhou

In the misty hills west of West Lake lie the terraced fields that produce Longjing (Dragon Well), China's most celebrated green tea. Centred on Longjing Village and the nearby hamlet of Meijiawu, this green amphitheatre of tea has been prized for over a thousand years and once supplied the imperial court. A visit blends gentle walking, tea culture and some of the prettiest countryside near the city.

Aerial view of the terraced Longjing tea plantations in the Hangzhou hills

Highlights

Stroll the contoured tea terraces, sip just-picked Longjing in a village tea house, and learn the craft at the excellent China National Tea Museum, whose free galleries trace tea's history, varieties and ceremony across landscaped grounds. Seek out the original Dragon Well spring and the "Eighteen Imperial Tea Bushes" said to have been honoured by Emperor Qianlong.

Tea pickers working the green plantation rows

Opening Hours

The hills and villages are open all day. The China National Tea Museum opens roughly 08:30–16:30 and is closed on Mondays; tea houses keep their own hours.

Tickets

Walking the plantations and entering the China National Tea Museum is free. Tea tasting, guided picking and buying leaves are paid — agree prices before you sit down.

Getting There

Buses Y3, 27 and 87 serve Longjing Village and the museum; a taxi from West Lake takes about 15 minutes. Many visitors combine it with a hike from the lake's southwest shore.

Best Time to Visit

Spring is the star: the prized pre-Qingming (mingqian) harvest runs late March to early April, when the hills bustle with pickers. Autumn offers quiet, golden walks without the crowds.

Visitor Tips

Buy tea from village co-ops or the museum shop rather than roadside touts, and be wary of inflated "farmer" prices. Wear shoes for uneven paths, and set aside time to simply sit with a cup and the view.