Longjing Village lies in the hills southwest of West Lake in Hangzhou's Xihu District, the source village of Longjing (Dragon Well) tea, one of China's most famous green teas, grown on terraced hillsides that ring the village. Visitors can walk through the village past the historic Longjing Well itself, a spring-fed pool associated with local dragon legends, and up into the surrounding tea terraces on marked paths between the rows of tea bushes. Numerous small teahouses and family-run tea farms along the village lanes offer tastings and sell freshly picked and roasted Longjing tea directly, with prices and quality varying considerably by season and grade. A visit combining a walk through the village, the terraces, and a tea tasting takes about 2 to 3 hours. The most significant time to visit is during the Qingming and Guyu periods in late March and April, when the first and most prized spring harvest is hand-picked from the terraces, drawing both tea buyers and visitors who want to watch the picking in progress. Outside harvest season, the terraces remain green and walkable but without the harvest activity. Weekday visits and early mornings are quieter, since Longjing Village is a popular day-trip destination for both tourists and Hangzhou residents on weekends.
| Admission | Adult Free to walk the village and tea terraces; tea tasting and purchases priced separately by teahouse · Child Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open 24 hours; teahouses and tasting rooms generally operate 8:00 AM-6:00 PM |
| Typical visit | 2-3 hours |
| Best time | Spring (Mar-Apr), during the Longjing tea harvest, when pickers work the terraced fields by hand |
| Getting there | Bus 27 from the north shore of West Lake to the Longjingchashi stop; taxi about ¥25 (~$3.73) from the lake |
| Address | Longjing Village, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China |
Weather through the year in Zhejiang
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Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Zhejiang.
Location
Longjing Village, Xihu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, China
30.2192, 120.0942 View on map
Highlights
- Source village of Longjing (Dragon Well) green tea
- Terraced tea hillsides open to walking on marked paths
- Historic Longjing Well spring associated with local dragon legends
- Family-run teahouses offering tastings of freshly picked tea
Tips for visiting
- Visit during the Qingming to Guyu period (late March to April) to see the spring harvest
- Buy tea directly from family-run farms rather than roadside stalls near the entrance for better prices
- Ask to see the roasting process before buying to judge freshness
- Bargain politely on tea prices, which vary widely by grade and season
- Wear comfortable shoes for walking the terraced paths
When to visit
Late March through April during the spring tea harvest; weekday mornings are quieter than weekends.
Accessibility
Village lanes are paved and mostly flat, but the tea terrace paths are dirt, sloped, and uneven, making them difficult for wheelchairs.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Longjing Tea Village take?
Walking the village, terraces, and a tea tasting typically takes about 2 to 3 hours.
Is Longjing Tea Village worth visiting with children?
Yes; the open terraces and village lanes are easy to walk, though the tea-tasting aspect appeals more to adults.
Is photography allowed in the tea terraces?
Yes, photography is unrestricted along the public paths through the village and terraces.
When is the best time to see tea being picked?
The spring harvest, picked by hand during the Qingming and Guyu periods in late March and April, is the main tea-picking season.