Hangzhou, considered by some to be the tea capital of China, is home to the world-famous tea plantation for green tea, represented by Longjing Tea. Longjing Tea Plantation and Meijiawu Tea Plantation are both must-see tourist destinations for those wishing to experience the tea culture in Hangzhou. The tea culture trip generally consists of tea picking, tea making, a traditional tea ceremony and tea tasting.
Visit Tea Plantation A trip to experience tea culture, at Longjing Hill for example, will enrich one’s visit to Hangzhou. Upon arrival, the leader and local tea picker will give a detailed presentation on how to pick tea. Following the presentation, visitors may freely pick tea for about 20 minutes. A contest may be held between groups of visitors to determine the best tea picking performance. After tea picking, visitors participate in a special “teaism” show (tea ceremony) presented in a drafted pavilion on the top of Longjing Hill. Travelers to the ceremony will enjoy the culture and may take photos as well. After that, travelers will carry their picked tea to a tea-making house, and the local tea makers will judge each participant’s tea and select a champion tea maker. Afterwards, the tea makers will demonstrate making tea and introduce the standards of making tea as well as present information on the nutrient value, and then the travelers will enjoy an amazing Taiji Teaism Performance and taste the West Lake Longjing Tea.
