Longjing Tea Village (龙井村), renowned worldwide for its production of premium West Lake Longjing Tea, is often hailed as the “Number One Tea Village.” With a total area of 18.09 hectares, Longjing Village boasts nearly 800 acres of high-mountain tea gardens. Positioned to the northwest are natural barriers such as Beigao Peak, Shizi Peak, and Tianzhu Peak, shielding the village from the chilling winds of the northwest. To the south lies Jiuxi Creek, a deep and wide valley leading directly to the Qiantang River. The geographical features of the valley, coupled with the southeast winds during spring and summer seasons, provide optimal conditions for the growth of Longjing Tea, ensuring excellent ventilation and airflow. The Longjing Tea produced here ranks among the finest, symbolizing the pinnacle of tea quality.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Longjing Tea Village
- Vlog about Longjing Tea Village
- Attractions near Longjing Tea Village
- Other Iconic Attractions in Hangzhou
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 – 3 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
Location and Transportation
Located in the Xihu District of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, Longjing Tea Village sits southwest of the renowned West Lake Scenic Area, surrounded by picturesque mountains. Visitors can easily reach the village by taking public transportation options such as bus routes 27, 508H (Longjing Digital Special Line on holidays), 87H, or 87 to the Longjing Tea House bus stop (龙井茶室站). From there, it’s a short walk to the village.
Highlights of Longjing Tea Village
Longjing Well (Dragon Well)
The heart of the village, Longjing Spring, is a circular pool with a diameter of about 2 meters. Its water flows through landmarks like Yinqiao Bridge and Huangniling before streaming into West Lake. What sets Longjing Spring apart is its mesmerizing characteristic: when disturbed, a distinct waterline appears on the surface, resembling a continuously swaying silk thread known as “dragon whiskers,” which slowly fades away. Visitors are enchanted by this natural phenomenon, often feeling a sense of wonder as they witness it.
Nestled along the southern roadside, Longjing Well is an ancient hexagonal well. Despite its low mouth, one can easily reach the clear well water by extending a hand. Covered in moss, the well has become a spot for villagers to wash clothes since the introduction of tap water.
Longjing Temple
With a rich history and cultural heritage, Longjing Temple stands as a testament to the convergence of spring culture, tea culture, and Buddhist culture. Its architectural elegance and classical beauty captivate visitors, offering them a tranquil retreat amidst lush surroundings. Notable structures within the temple complex include the Listening to Spring Pavilion, the Cui Feng Pavilion with its panoramic views, the well-equipped Imperial Library, and the serene Qingxu Hall. Visitors can immerse themselves in the serene atmosphere, enjoying tea and admiring the scenery while contemplating the temple’s historical significance.
Eighteen Royal Tea Trees
The fame of “Eighteen Royal Tea Trees” (十八棵“御茶”) can be attributed to an anecdote involving Emperor Qianlong. Legend has it that during his visit to Hangzhou’s Longjing Lion Peak, Emperor Qianlong, learning about tea picking from local women, hastily departed upon receiving news of the Empress Dowager’s illness. In his rush, he inadvertently brought back a handful of dried tea leaves from the Lion Peak. Upon tasting the tea, the Empress Dowager experienced relief from her ailments, declaring the tea from Hangzhou’s Longjing Lion Peak as a miraculous remedy. In recognition of this healing property, Emperor Qianlong decreed the eighteen tea trees near Hugong Temple at the foot of Lion Peak as “Royal Tea Trees.” These trees were to be exclusively harvested each year to provide tribute tea for the Empress Dowager.
The bus ride from Jiuqi Bus Station to Longjing Village was quite flat. However, I didn’t expect the journey from Longjing Village to Langdang Ridge to involve steep stairs; there was a relatively flat section in the middle. Starting from Zhenji Temple, it was all downhill with more stairs. By the time I came out of Yunqi Bamboo Path, my legs were already starting to shake. At the foot of the mountain, I could still see a few maple trees that hadn’t lost their leaves. The broadleaf trees along Jiuqi Eighteen Streams Road stood bare, creating a somewhat desolate scene. The expansive tea gardens along the Ten Mile Langdang were still quite magnificent. Walking through the bamboo forest of Yunqi Bamboo Path, I felt a chill in the air. Overall, if the weather is warm and sunny in winter, doing this hike is very pleasant. I spent 4 hours on… Read more »
You must visit Longjing Village in the fall; the colors of the tea gardens are absolutely stunning! This is definitely one of the best hiking routes in Hangzhou during autumn. The red leaves scattered throughout the tea mountains are simply breathtaking! If the weather is nice, make sure to go – if you miss it, you’ll have to wait a whole year.
Route: Longjing Village to Shili Langdang – Yangfeng Ridge – Maoju Hotel
Distance: A total of 3.5 kilometers, with an elevation gain of 300 meters.
Walking backwards from Longjing Village was completely deserted. If you take the route from Faxi Temple (法喜寺) to Longjing Village (龙井村), then to Shili Langdang (十里琅珰), and finally to Jiuxi Eighteen Streams (九溪十八涧) and Jiuxi Yanshu (九溪烟树), you won’t encounter any crowds. Be sure to try the vegetarian meal at Faxi Temple (法喜寺) for only 5 RMB!
I don’t recommend having tea or meals in the village as the food is quite average, but the scenery is really beautiful and perfect for hiking.
Longjing Village is definitely worth a visit, especially in the summer when it looks like a beautiful oil painting.
West Lake Longjing Tea is one of the most famous teas in China. Since Emperor Qianlong designated the 18 tea trees in front of the Hu Gong Temple as “Imperial Tea,” Longjing Tea has established its supreme status in the world of Chinese tea.
Entry fee here is 10 yuan, some people think it should be free. The 18 trees in the Longjing Imperial Tea Garden, even if each tree can yield 400 tea buds, those 18 trees can only produce a total of 7200 buds. With 40,000 buds in a pound of Longjing tea, it can only yield about two liangs of tea per year.
It can truly be said that rarity leads to value, and even if you have the money, you may not be able to drink it. This is why a pound of tea sells for 720,000 yuan, which is not unreasonable?
My friend came to Hangzhou to visit me. It has been raining all the time and I felt like there wasn’t much to do by the West Lake. Suddenly, I thought we could stay at a homestay on the mountain in Longjing Village for a night. Initially, I was feeling upset because of the rain affecting my mood, but I didn’t expect the mountain to be so beautiful. The photos turned out great too. It was a different feeling than a sunny day.
The tea trees covering the mountains, the crystal-clear streams running through, and the misty sunrise all show how nature can heal people’s souls.
Longjing Village Hiking Route ️Beginner’s route: Meijiawu ➡️ Sanfenchai ➡️ Longjing Village ⏰Time: Around 1-2 hours Distance: 3.37km from Meijiawu to Longjing Village, after exiting Longjing Village, you can choose to play in Jiuxi or visit Manlongguiyu to see the “Tangwu”, with an estimated total distance of around 9 km. . Meijiawu Get off at “Meijiawu Bus Station”, and walk up along the steps next to the Shili Langdang Archway, approximately two thousand steps, around half an hour . Sanfenchai After the steps, continue walking along the ancient road to reach Sanfenchai, the most essential part, overlooking the West Lake, with endless tea plantations on the rolling hills, providing a wide and healing view. Highly recommended! Climbing ends here, and the descent begins ⛰️ . Longjing Village Here you can have some tea and relax (drinking tea costs around 20 per person, make sure to choose a place with clear… Read more »