Longjing Village - The First Tea Village | Terraced Tea Gardens Neatly Arranged, Surrounded by Mountains with Tea Fragrance Filling the Air

Longjing Village Travel Guide Longjing Village is located in the valley on the west side of Hangzhou’s West Lake. As the core production area of West Lake Longjing Tea, it is known as "The First Tea Village." Here, terraced tea gardens are neatly arranged, and the fragrance of tea fills the air amidst the surrounding mountains. It offers a deep experience of tea culture and opportunities for hiking in the mountains to seek tranquility, making it an excellent place to enjoy the slow life of Jiangnan. Transportation Guide - Public Transport: Take Metro Line 1 to "Longxiangqiao Station," then transfer to bus routes 27 or 87 and get off at the "Longjing Tea House" stop, which is cost-effective and goes directly to the village entrance. - Self-driving: Navigate to "Longjing Village Parking Lot." Parking costs about 10 RMB/hour. Parking spaces are limited during holidays, so it is recommended to depart early. - Hiking Connection: You can hike from Jiuxi Shibajian along the stream and forest to Longjing Village, or walk from Yangmeiling Village along the tea garden paths for an immersive mountain and forest experience. Tickets and Core Experiences Ticket Information - Longjing Village is open to the public for free, no tickets required. - The Old Longjing Scenic Area ticket costs 10 RMB, including a cup of Longjing tea, and visitors can see the "Eighteen Imperial Tea Trees" and Longjing Spring. Must-try Activities - Tea Picking and Making: During the tea picking season from March to April, you can book an experience, recommended at tea fields within the first-level protected area such as "Meijia Tea Courtyard." For 50 RMB per person, enjoy 1 hour of tea picking plus fresh leaf frying (about 25 grams of finished product). Tea farmers will guide you on the "one bud one leaf" picking method and frying techniques. Outside the picking season, you can visit the tea-making process to learn about withering, rolling, and other steps. - Tea Tasting and Inquiry: Every household in the village offers tea tasting. Ordinary Longjing tea costs about 30-50 RMB per cup, while premium teas like Mingqian tea are over 100 RMB. In the Old Longjing Scenic Area, you can brew tea with Longjing Spring water to experience the charm of "Longjing water brewing Longjing tea." - Hiking and Sightseeing: Enter "Ten Li Langdang" from the village archway and hike to Shifeng Mountain. The terraced tea gardens along the way offer stunning photo opportunities. The whole route takes about 2 hours. You can also hike towards Jiuxi, where the stream flows through the tea gardens, perfect for playing in the water and cooling off in summer. Must-visit Attractions - Eighteen Imperial Tea Trees: Tea trees appointed by Emperor Qianlong, located in the Old Longjing Scenic Area, witnessing the royal origins of West Lake Longjing tea. The surrounding tea gardens are peaceful and scenic. - Longjing Spring: The spring water is clear and cold. Legend says tea brewed with this water tastes exceptional. Visitors can scoop water by hand and feel the spirit of the ancient spring. - Ten Li Langdang: A hiking route connecting Longjing Village and Shifeng Mountain, offering panoramic views of terraced tea gardens and the valley. The vegetation colors are rich and layered in spring and autumn. - China National Tea Museum (Shuangfeng Pavilion Area): Free admission by reservation, showcasing tea culture history and Longjing tea production techniques. The tea gardens outside the museum are great for photos. Food Recommendations - Specialty Hangzhou Cuisine: At "Tea People Village," be sure to try Longjing Shrimp and Private Tea Fragrant Chicken. The shrimp is wrapped in fresh tea aroma, and the chicken is slow-cooked in flavorful broth. At "Green Tea Restaurant (Longjing Main Store)," green tea grilled fish and Dongpo pork offer great value and window views of tea fields at sunset. - Tea-based Snacks: Longjing tea cake and osmanthus tea jelly are sweet and pair perfectly with new tea. At the village entrance, the "Chase" tea house serves Longjing tea ice cream, rich in tea fragrance and refreshing. - Farmhouse Flavors: Tea-scented ribs, dried bamboo shoots with pork, and Malantou dried tofu are fresh and full of rustic mountain flavor. Accommodation Suggestions - High-end Choice: Radisson Manor, featuring standalone villas with private hot springs, including complimentary SPA and tea art classes. Suitable for guests seeking quality experiences, around 2000 RMB+/night. - Cost-effective Choice: Shishi Homestay, with floor-to-ceiling windows facing tea fields and terrace breakfast, priced around 500 RMB+/night; homestays like "Chayin·Shisi" and "Longjing Bieyuan" offer tea garden views from the window and a tea village night stay atmosphere. - Nearby Alternatives: More homestay options are available in Meijiawu and Manjuelong, some with independent tea gardens, a short drive from Longjing Village. Notes - Tea Purchase Tips: Look for the "West Lake Longjing" geographical indication and choose reputable shops like "Gongpai" or cooperative tea farmers. Support tasting before buying and avoid low-priced fake tea at the village entrance. - Travel Preparation: Wear comfortable sports shoes for hiking, bring sun hats and mosquito repellent. Tea picking experiences require booking through the Longjing Village cooperative 2 days in advance. - Best Seasons: The tea picking season from March to April and the cool, clear weather from October to November are ideal. Rainy and misty days have their own charm. Avoid the plum rain season in June and July.