Tailored for tea culture lovers, this 2-day in-depth tea tour takes you to core tea zones around West Lake in Hangzhou, including Longjing Village and Meijiawu. You’ll experience the whole tea-making process from fresh leaf picking to hand stir-frying. Taste authentic Longjing tea amid time-honored tea traditions and gorgeous Jiangnan scenery.
Day 1: Learn About Tea — Explore its origin and story
Spend the whole day diving deep into tea culture. Depart from Hangzhou East Railway Station, head to the Tea Museum then visit Longjing Village. A taxi ride costs around 50 yuan, or you can take subway plus bus for a direct trip. Entry to the museum is free with advance booking, where you can learn tea knowledge and see traditional tea-making tools. In the afternoon, wander through vast tea gardens in Longjing Village. The tea-picking experience only costs 30 yuan with simple English guidance, letting you live like a local tea farmer.
Day 2: Taste Tea — Immerse yourself in its elegant charm
Immerse yourself fully in tea culture all day long. Travel from Longjing Village to Meijiawu before heading back. Convenient buses run between the two spots with lovely tea garden views along the way. Taste authentic Longjing tea at teahouses in the morning and learn basic tea brewing skills. In the afternoon, explore Meijiawu, visit modern tea processing workshops and pick up affordable tea souvenirs.
Practical Guide for Tea Trips
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for tea tours. Fresh spring tea is picked from March to April, letting you join the whole tea-making process. September and October feature pleasant weather, perfect for tea tasting. This route suits both local and foreign tea lovers as well as in-depth travelers. Wear comfy shoes and bring your camera. Out-of-town visitors can fly directly to Xiaoshan Airport. Getting around the city is easy, and taking taxis or chartered cars is ideal for traveling between tea gardens and carrying tea purchases.
Hangzhou’s tea holds the city’s gentle charm and daily warmth. No complicated cultural explanations are needed for this trip. Just come with curiosity, wander through tea fields and sip fragrant tea to feel the unique vibe of Hangzhou. Within two days, from learning about tea to tasting it, you can fully experience the elegance of oriental tea culture and keep precious tea-scented memories of Hangzhou.
