Meijiawu Longjing Tea Village sits in Xihu District, Hangzhou, southwest of West Lake, and has grown tea on its surrounding hillsides for roughly 600 years. Around 160 family-run tea houses line the village's stone lanes, each selling Longjing (Dragon Well) tea harvested from plantations visible on the slopes just outside the door, a level of direct farm-to-cup sourcing that differs sharply from buying packaged tea in a city shop. Quality and price vary enormously by grade and harvest timing: pre-Qingming (early spring) picked leaves fetch the highest prices per catty, while later harvests and machine-processed leaves are considerably cheaper; some village vendors relabel lower-grade tea from other regions as local Meijiawu Longjing, so buyers unfamiliar with the leaf should ask to see the tea brewed and compare the pale jade color and chestnut aroma against genuine samples before committing to a larger purchase. Bargaining is common and expected, particularly on larger quantities, and most houses will brew samples for free before a sale. Cash and Chinese mobile payment apps are both widely used; card payment is uncommon at family-run houses. The village is quiet on weekday mornings but fills with day-tripping tour groups by early afternoon, especially during the spring picking season in late March and April. Food options are limited to simple noodle and rice dishes at village-run restaurants, since the area is centered on tea rather than dining. The lanes closest to the hillside plantations, where growers sell tea they picked and processed themselves, are the must-visit corners for the most authentic product.
| Hours | Most tea houses daily 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Price | ¥30-1,500+ (~$4-224+) per catty of Longjing tea depending on grade |
| Address | No. 1 Meiling South Road, Xihu Street, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310013 |
Weather through the year in Zhejiang
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Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Zhejiang.
Location
No. 1 Meiling South Road, Xihu Street, Xihu District, Hangzhou 310013
30.2103, 120.1103 View on map
Highlights
- Roughly 160 family-run tea houses selling farm-direct Longjing tea
- Hillside Longjing plantations visible from the village lanes
- Free tea sampling before purchase at most houses
- Pre-Qingming spring harvest commands the highest quality and price
- 600-year tea-growing history in the hills southwest of West Lake
Tips for visiting
- Visit on a weekday morning before tour buses arrive in early afternoon
- Avoid peak spring harvest weekends in late March and April if crowds are a concern
- Ask to taste brewed tea and compare color and aroma before buying, since relabeled lower-grade tea is sold by some vendors
- Bargain on larger quantity purchases; sample tastings are usually free
- Bring cash or a Chinese payment app, as few family-run houses accept foreign cards
Frequently asked questions
What makes Meijiawu different from buying Longjing tea elsewhere?
Tea houses in the village sell leaves grown and picked from the hillside plantations surrounding the village itself, offering a direct farm-to-cup source rather than resold packaged tea.
When is the best time to buy tea in Meijiawu?
The pre-Qingming harvest in late March produces the highest-graded leaves, though prices are also highest during this period.
Can visitors sample tea before buying?
Yes, most tea houses brew a free sample so buyers can judge color, aroma, and taste before purchasing.
Is all tea sold in Meijiawu genuinely local?
Not always; some vendors relabel tea from other regions as local Longjing, so comparing brewed samples against known genuine leaf helps avoid this.