Longjing Tea Plantation龙井茶园
Longjing Village, in Hangzhou's West Lake District, is the core growing area of West Lake Longjing — the tea ranked first among China's ten famous teas. The village still tends the Eighteen Imperial Tea Trees sealed by Emperor Qianlong, which bear leaf to this day. Longjing is famed for four perfections — green colour, rich aroma, sweet taste and beautiful shape — and its tea culture is one of Hangzhou's signature travel experiences.
Hangzhou · Visitor Guide2026-10-18
Quick Answer
Is Longjing Tea Plantation worth visiting?
The heartland of West Lake Longjing tea, home to the 18 Imperial Tea Trees honored by Emperor Qianlong. Wander the tea fields free of charge and taste tea at the source.
Quick facts
| Ticket | Free entry to the tea fields (tastings and meals charged separately) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open all day (tea houses roughly 08:00-20:00) |
| Recommended duration | Allow 2-4 hours |
| Best time to visit | Best during the spring harvest (late March to mid-April); autumn and winter are also pleasant |
| How to get there | Bus 27 or 87 to Longjing Village stop; about 25 minutes from Longxiangqiao metro station (Line 1) by connecting bus; taxi or cycling also recommended |
| English signage | Partial |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Tea variety | West Lake Longjing (national geographical-indication product) |
| Standing | Ranked first among China's ten famous teas |
| History | Recorded in Lu Yu's Classic of Tea in the Tang dynasty |
| Imperial tea | Eighteen Imperial Tea Trees sealed by Emperor Qianlong |
| Core producing villages | Longjing Village, Meijiawu, Fancun |
What to expect
Longjing Village sits in the hills west of Hangzhou's West Lake District, at the core of the West Lake Longjing growing area. A green tea named for this village, Longjing has been produced for more than 1,200 years and is graded by origin into five estates — Shi, Long, Yun, Hu and Mei — with Shifeng the finest. The tea is celebrated for its four perfections of colour, aroma, taste and shape; Emperor Qianlong visited four times to drink and compose poems here, and sealed the Eighteen Imperial Tea Trees.
Built against the hillside and ringed by tea terraces, the village keeps the ruins of Longjing Temple, a thousand-year-old monastery, alongside its tea-culture experience area. The spring harvest (late March to mid-April) is the busiest season, when the prized pre-Qingming Longjing — the most expensive tea of the year — is picked; autumn's autumn-picked Longjing has a rich aroma all its own. Under a tea farmer's guidance you can try picking and pan-firing, then taste the genuine article.
The harvest season draws crowds, so aim for a weekday or book a tea room ahead. Tasting prices vary hugely — from tens to hundreds of yuan a cup — depending on grade. Buy from reputable growers or established tea houses, where prices are transparent. Neighbouring Meijiawu combines easily with a visit here, and a roughly two-hour hiking trail links Longjing Village to Lingyin — a classic walk.
How to get there
Bus 27, 87 or 318 to Longjing Village stop — the bus stops right at the village. From Longxiangqiao station (metro Line 1), exit A, take bus 87, about 25 minutes. A taxi from Hangzhou East station is about CNY 30 and 35 minutes. Drivers can use the village car park (paid, often full on holidays).
Best photo spots
- The Eighteen Imperial Tea Trees (signature sight)
- The layered terraces of the Longjing Village tea hills
- The Qianlong imperial stele
- Tea farmers picking in spring
- The ruins of Longjing Temple (a thousand-year-old monastery)
Tips
- Come in the spring harvest (late March to mid-April) to see the picking — but expect the biggest crowds and highest prices
- How to spot real Longjing: the leaf is an uneven rice-brown colour, not vivid green, with a bean-like aroma rather than a grassy one
- No need to buy the priciest — mid-grade Longjing (CNY 400-600 per jin) is already very good
- Farm restaurants around the village do a good lunch — try Longjing shrimp and tea-scented pork
- Take a local friend or choose a well-reviewed tea house to avoid out-of-town fakes
Scams to avoid
- Counterfeit origins — out-of-town leaf (Sichuan, Guizhou) pressed flat and sold as Longjing; too green, with a harsh aroma
- Old leaf refreshed — last year's tea re-dyed or scented and passed off as new
- Inflated grades — ordinary Longjing sold as pre-Qingming premium at double the price
- Free-tasting traps — pressure to buy after the tasting, or the tea swapped when you pay
Frequently asked questions
When is Longjing tea at its best?
Pre-Qingming Longjing, picked before the Qingming festival, is the most prized — scarce and expensive, a gift tea. Pre-Grain-Rain Longjing is better value for drinking at home, and autumn-picked Longjing has its own rich aroma.
Longjing Village or Meijiawu?
Both are core West Lake Longjing districts, about 3 km apart. Longjing Village is famous for its history and the imperial tea trees; Meijiawu for its terrace scenery and farm restaurants. They combine easily in one day.
Is buying tea in the village safe?
Choose growers or firms with a shopfront and a solid reputation. Be wary of pre-Qingming tea priced under CNY 300 per jin. If you are pressured into a sale, call the police.
Can I try picking tea?
Some farms and tea-culture points offer paid picking and pan-firing experiences, roughly CNY 100-200 per person — book ahead.
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