Longjing tea, Dragon Well tea, is one of the most famous kinds of green tea in China. During the time of the Qing dynasty, it was bestowed the status of imperial tea (Gong Cha). There are many legends surrounding Longjing. One of them speaks of the Qianlong Emperor visiting this place multiple times during his tours of the Jiangnan region. His favourite spot at this hill village near Hangzhou's West Lake was a southern-style Chinese garden ( Jiangnan-style garden) that is now known as the Longjing Imperial Tea Garden.

 

On the premises of this heavily-forested garden at the foot of a terraced hill, visitors will find several traditional Chinese buildings along narrow winding paths and crisscrossing stone stairways. As you walk up the steps that lead further up the hill, you will reach quiet tea plantations. The entire garden has the feel of a tranquil private hideaway, which makes it very different from the often-crowded gardens in Suzhou, Yangzhou or Nanjing.

 

The garden's outdoor and indoor tea houses are the ideal spot to try some authentic Longjing tea. It is brewed with spring water from the Dragon Well which is also found at the site of the Longjing Imperial Tea Garden. The Dragon Well is located quite close to the entrance area with its giant teapot. There is some dispute whether the tea was named after this specific well. Some people argue that the well gave its name to the entire village which then gave its name to the tea.

 

That is especially enjoyable in the spring when you will see tea pickers in traditional garments at work all over the terraced hills. At the top of these hills, you will enjoy formidable views that may reach all the way to the cityscape of Hangzhou. At nightime, the garden is subtly illuminated by carefully placed lighting which gives it the feeling of an enchanted fairyland!

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Travel Tips
Add:  Longjing Village, Hangzhou, China
Opening Hours: 08:30-19:00

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