In April, the hills west of West Lake are covered in young green tea plants putting out their first leaves of the season. Farmers in wide-brimmed hats work the rows with baskets. The air smells of the tea being pan-roasted in houses at the edge of the fields. You pick up a single leaf. It is very small: just unfurled, still soft, intensely aromatic. This is what the 头芽 (tóuyá, first flush) actually looks like. It becomes the most expensive tea in China.
The UNESCO West Lake Cultural Landscape explicitly includes the tea gardens as a defining element of the landscape. For the Hangzhou overview: Hangzhou Travel Guide.
The Tea Harvest Seasons
| Season | Timing | Grade | Price | Experience |
| Pre-Qingming first flush (明前) | Before April 5 | Highest | ¥300 to ¥3,000+/100g | The most prized. Delicate flavor. Very limited supply. |
| Pre-Grain Rain (雨前) | April 5 to April 20 | High | ¥150 to ¥800/100g | Still excellent. More accessible. |
| Summer harvest | May to June | Medium | ¥80 to ¥200/100g | Robust flavor. Good for daily drinking. |
| Autumn harvest | September to October | Medium-low | ¥60 to ¥150/100g | Seasonal. Different character from spring. |
Where to Visit
Longjing Village (龙井村)
The most famous tea village. The name literally means Dragon Well, after the spring-fed well at the village center. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty visited and designated 18 specific tea trees as imperial tribute trees. They still exist and produce 18 of the world’s most expensive tea leaves annually. The Hugongmiao Temple beside the well contains the original 18 trees. Entry ¥5. The village is busy with visitors in spring. The tea fields are beautiful. Vendors along the main street will try to sell you tea. Be selective about whom you buy from.
Meijiawu Village (梅家坞) : the better experience
Meijiawu is less famous than Longjing Village and significantly more pleasant to visit. The valley setting is broader, the tea fields are more extensive, and the farmhouse tea-picking experiences are more genuine. Most farmers in Meijiawu welcome visitors to pick tea during harvest season for a small participation fee (¥50 to ¥100 for 30 to 60 minutes). You pick a small basket of leaves, bring them to the farmhouse, watch them pan-roast, and taste the result. Getting there: Bus 103 to Meiwu South Entrance (梅坞南口站), free entry.
Longwu Village (龙坞村) : the undiscovered one
Longwu Village, in the southwest hills of Hangzhou, hosts the largest continuous Longjing tea-growing area in the city: over 930 hectares producing approximately 80% of Hangzhou’s Longjing output. Almost no foreign travelers go there. The village has a reservoir, surrounding forest, and an atmosphere that has not been shaped by tourist traffic. Community shuttle bus 1407 from the China Academy of Art Xiangshan Campus. For travelers who want to see tea farming as a working landscape rather than an attraction.
How to Brew Longjing Correctly
Water temperature is critical. Boiling water damages the delicate first-flush leaves. Use water at 75 to 80 degrees Celsius (just before boiling, when small bubbles appear). The glass brewing method: place leaves in a clear glass, pour water, watch the leaves unfurl. First brew: pour the hot water, wait 1 to 2 minutes, drink. Second and third brews release different compounds. The second brew of good Longjing is often the best.
The table-tapping custom
When someone pours tea for you in Hangzhou or any Zhejiang context, it is traditional to tap three fingers on the table to express thanks. This dates from the Qing dynasty and represents a simplified gesture of kneeling in gratitude. Index, middle, and ring finger, tapped twice or three times. Locals will notice and appreciate it.
Buying Genuine Longjing
The safest places to buy: directly from a tea farmer in Meijiawu or Longjing Village, from certified shops displaying the 西湖龙井 geographic indication mark, or from reputable tea houses in the city. The China National Tea Museum (free entry, near West Lake) has an attached shop selling authenticated Longjing at fair prices. Never buy from vendors near West Lake’s main tourist areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the full Hangzhou guide: Hangzhou Travel Guide. For West Lake: West Lake Guide.