Tea terraces
On the slopes.
Peter K Burian — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Jessie csz — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Shizhao — CC BY 1.0 · Gerd Eichmann — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dave Proffer — CC BY 2.0 · Mats Linander — CC BY-SA 2.0 · ggbaker — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jessie csz — CC BY-SA 4.0
A country village in a green valley among the hills west of West Lake, surrounded by terraces of Longjing or «Dragon Well» tea, China's most famous green tea; it's one of the largest tea-growing villages around Hangzhou. Tea gardens run up the slopes in neat green rows, and the village houses have turned into teahouses where visitors taste fresh tea, roasted by hand in iron pans over the fire, and eat country food. Early spring, from March to early April, is the best time, when the finest Longjing is picked; you can watch picking and roasting and walk the farm paths to neighbouring villages. The village is free to enter; tea is sold by weight and prices vary widely with quality, so ask before ordering. The China National Tea Museum is nearby, so combine the two in half a day.
On the slopes.
In iron pans.
In the village.
Hills west of West Lake, Hangzhou
Early spring, from March to early April, when the finest Longjing tea is picked; the village is free to enter.