Hangzhou's Meijiawu Tea Village is a famous Dragon Well tea plantation nestled in the hills surrounding West Lake. It is renowned as one of the most important production bases of West Lake Dragon Well tea in China, and possibly even the world.
In its former years it once entertained the leaders of the Soviet Union, the United States, Vietnam, Great Britain, Cambodia and many other countries and regions.
The Highlights of Meijiawu Village
Meijiawu Tea Village is situated on the west side of West Lake. Once, it was just a poor village with a history of over six-hundred-years, until the local farmers started to plant tea. It has now become one of the four famous growing areas for Longjing tea (Dragon Well tea) and a featured tea farming village with rich tea culture and leisurely tourism, which attracts millions of tourists every year.
The tea culture village features 160 tea houses, in which travelers can learn about the history and culture of Meijiawu Tea Village and appreciate the whole process of the Chinese Tea Ceremony.
Drying Fresh Green Tea.Meijiawu Village is reputed for its history of serving exquisite tea. There, elaborate tea ceremonies are held, and you will be able to understand why partaking in tea ceremony is of such importance for the Chinese.
This picturesque village will enable you to experience the pleasure of a perfect cup of tea, watch several tea ceremonies, and most interestingly select tea under professional supervision.
World-Famous Tea
The tea produced in Meijiawu Village is one of the best varieties of West Lake Dragon Well tea, considered by many the best tea in China, and hence best in the world.
Local farmers usually pick tea leaves four times every year: Mingqian tea is picked before the Qingming Festival (Chinese Tomb-Sweeping Day, Apr. 4/5), Yuqian tea is picked before the "grain rain" period (6th solar term, Apr. 20), Sanchun tea before the beginning of the summer (7th solar term, May 6) and Sichun tea just one month later (Jun. 6).
These dates remain fairly similar although they may change slightly from year to year.
Dragon Well Tea Shrimp.Tea Food and Local Restaurants
Meijiawu Tea Village is also renowned for its tea food, which is known for its lightness, smooth texture, and slightly salty taste, such as shrimp in Longjing tea, shrimp in Biluochun tea, and Longjing fish.
Recently, local restaurants have started to offer several popular dishes, like carp with Qingshui tea, crispy skin chicken with tea, and Dragon Well tea shrimp.
Are There Any Attractions Nearby?
Apart from this world famous tea village, Hangzhou is also home to West Lake, the water feature depicted on the 1yuan banknote. It is an area of immense natural and landscaped beauty spanning 6.5 square kilometers (2½ sq. mi.).
West Lake.The famous Italian merchant-traveler, Marco Polo, visited Hangzhou during his lifetime, as well as a few other notable figures including emperors throughout the dynasties who used it as a summer retreat.
Touring Meijiawu Tea Plantation with China Highlights
We have designed a tour specially for tea fans to experience tea culture at Meijiawu Tea Plantation. 1-Day Dragon Well Tea Culture Tour
What You Will Experience in this Tour:
- Step into a tea plantation at Meijiawu Village and pick tea leaves by hand.
- Learn from a local tea specialist the process of stir-drying tea, and the art of making tea.
- Visit the China National Tea Museum to glean a general idea of Chinese tea classification and history.
- Sample a local tea snacks banquet.
You can step into one of the best tea plantations in the world at Meijiawu.Our tours are customizable — tell us your interests and requirements and we will help you to tailor-make a Hangzhou tour.
We are able to help arrange tickets to attractions, your preferred mode of transportation, and our recommended accommodation, as well as a top guide to help you have the best China experience with China Highlights.