Meijiawu Tea Village

Meijiawu Tea Village, nestled among lush, green terraced hills, is an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of Hangzhou and spend a few hours appreciating nature. Explore this charming ancient village, with its 160 teahouses, watch an elaborate tea ceremony, and learn all about tea culture while sipping a cup or two of this fragrant and flavorful tea. This is also a good opportunity to purchase some tea under the supervision of an expert guide.

Many day tours from Hangzhou and Shanghai include a visit to Meijiawu Tea Village, or another nearby tea plantation, along with other top Hangzhou sites, such as West Lake and Lingyin Temple.

• Meijiawu Tea Village is a must-visit for tea lovers and photographers.

• The village is free to visit, but picking tea leaves and making tea costs extra.

• There are a number of historical points of interests, as well as good hiking trails, so allot at least a few hours, if not visiting as part of a tour.

Meijiawu Tea Village is located just west of West Lake, about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from downtown Hangzhou. If not visiting as part of a tour, it’s best to take a taxi. Or, you can take bus nos. 324, 658, 837, or tourist bus no. 4 from Hangzhou.

The village is open to visitors year-round. Spring is the best time to visit as travelers can try their hand at picking and making tea with the locals. Avoid going during Qing Ming, in early April, as it’s the busiest time in the village.

In addition to its world-famous tea, the village is also known for its tea food, dishes often made with and meant to complement the locally grown tea. Try local dishes, such as shrimp in Longjing tea, Longjing fish, fragrant braised pork, crispy-skinned chicken with Longjing tea, and moist chicken infused with Longjing tea.