Drinking tea in Hangzhou is not just a beverage choice — it is a ritual woven into the city's identity. Hangzhou is the birthplace of longjing (Dragon Well) tea, widely regarded as China's finest green tea, and the hills around West Lake have been cultivating it since the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). The tea houses on this list range from imperial gardens where emperors once sipped longjing to humble village farmhouses where tea farmers brew their morning cup, and each one offers a different window into Hangzhou's deep-rooted tea culture.
Longjing Imperial Tea Garden
The holy grail of Hangzhou's tea scene. This is where Emperor Qianlong himself picked tea leaves during his famous southern tour in the 18th century — the 18 tea bushes he designated as "imperial" still grow here, protected behind a stone wall. The tea house serves longjing harvested from these very slopes, prepared with spring water drawn from the mountain. The outdoor terrace overlooks terraced tea fields stretching into the distance. A pot here costs significantly more than elsewhere, but you are drinking history.
Must-try: Imperial Grade Pre-Qingming Longjing (harvested before April 5).
See all food & drink →Wangyue Tea House
Perched on the northern shore of West Lake with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the water like a living painting, Wangyue ("Moon Viewing") Tea House offers the most photogenic tea experience in the city. The interior is a masterclass in restrained Chinese elegance — dark wood tables, calligraphy scrolls on the walls, and a small classical garden with a koi pond outside. Their longjing tea set comes with delicate tea snacks including osmanthus cake and candied lotus root. Visit on a misty morning for the full West Lake dreamscape effect.
Must-try: Longjing tea set with seasonal tea snacks (¥188).
See all food & drink →Tea House at Amanfayun
Hidden within the Amanfayun resort — itself a restored 19th-century tea village nestled in a bamboo valley next to Lingyin Temple — this tea house is the most exclusive tea experience in Hangzhou. The stone pathways, ancient camphor trees, and restored village buildings create an atmosphere of profound tranquility. Non-guests can visit the tea house with a reservation, where you will be seated in a 200-year-old building and served longjing by a dedicated tea master. The price reflects the setting, but for a special occasion it is unmatched.
Must-try: Private tea ceremony with a tea master (reservation required).
See all food & drink →Meijiawu Tea Village Houses
Meijiawu is not a single tea house but an entire village of tea-farming families who welcome visitors into their homes. Walk up the main lane and you will be invited in by friendly locals eager to share their tea and stories. You sit at a wooden table in the family courtyard, surrounded by the tea bushes that produced the very leaves in your cup. This is the most authentic and affordable way to taste longjing — no ceremony, no pretense, just generations of tea-making knowledge shared over a warm brew. Many families also sell tea directly, often at better prices than city shops.
Must-try: Home-roasted longjing from the family that hosts you.
See all food & drink →Tai Chi Tea House
Named for its unique morning tradition — watching local tai chi practitioners perform their graceful routines in the adjacent park while you sip your first cup of the day — this tea house is a firm favorite with Hangzhou residents. Set within a classic Jiangnan-style garden with rockeries, a small pond, and wisteria-covered walkways, it offers a more relaxed and affordable atmosphere than the lake-view establishments. Their tea menu is extensive, featuring not just longjing but also white teas from Fujian and pu'er from Yunnan if you want to branch out.
Must-try: Longjing paired with chrysanthemum tea for a floral variation.
See all food & drink →Qing Teng Tea House
Housed in a beautifully preserved Qing Dynasty courtyard mansion near Wushan Square, Qing Teng ("Green Vine") is one of Hangzhou's oldest continuously operating tea houses. The building itself is part of the experience — creaking wooden floors, latticed windows filtering soft light, and a central courtyard with a 300-year-old wisteria vine (from which the tea house takes its name). The tea service is traditional and unhurried; servers wear period clothing and pour with practiced precision. The huangshan maofeng green tea here is almost as good as the longjing.
Must-try: Afternoon tea set with handmade Hangzhou-style dim sum.
See all food & drink →Tea House at China National Tea Museum
Combine your tea education with your tea drinking. The China National Tea Museum in the Longjing hills is a world-class museum covering the history, varieties, and rituals of Chinese tea across five pavilions. Its on-site tea house lets you taste teas from across China — not just longjing but also oolong, black, and pu'er varieties — in a serene setting overlooking its own tea garden. The museum is free, and after learning about tea processing techniques in the exhibits, you will appreciate what is in your cup on a whole new level.
Must-try: The comparative tasting flight — three grades of longjing side by side.
See all food & drink →Huxi Teahouse
Translating to "West Lake Dream," Huxi occupies the second floor of a lakeside building near the Broken Bridge with a long balcony that is arguably the best-positioned tea terrace on the entire lake. The menu is modernized — alongside traditional longjing, you will find tea-based cocktails, matcha desserts, and even a longjing-infused cheesecake. It attracts a younger crowd than the more traditional establishments, making it a great choice if you want a tea experience that bridges old and new Hangzhou.
Must-try: Longjing latte and the lake-view afternoon tea set (¥228 for two).
See all food & drink →Hefang Street Tea Houses
Along Hangzhou's most famous historic pedestrian street, several small, no-frills tea houses have been serving longjing to passersby for decades. These are not destination tea houses — they are casual stop-ins where you can sit on a wooden stool, order a pot for as little as ¥30, and watch the street life flow past. Some also serve dingsheng cake and other Hangzhou snacks. While the tea quality is lower than at the plantation tea houses, the accessibility and atmosphere make up for it. Perfect for a quick rest while exploring Hefang Street's many attractions.
Must-try: Budget-friendly longjing with a side of Hangzhou-style lotus root starch soup.
See all food & drink →Modern Tea Shops
Hangzhou's new wave of modern tea shops — think sleek interiors, minimalist branding, and cold-brewed longjing — offer a contemporary take on the city's tea culture. Shops like Muyu Tea Lab and the tea counter at the IN77 shopping district have introduced young locals and curious travelers to longjing in accessible formats: tea flights, sparkling tea sodas, and even tea ice cream. They lack the historical gravitas of the traditional tea houses, but they are fun, photogenic, and a great entry point if you are new to green tea.
Must-try: Cold-brew longjing and longjing soft serve at Muyu Tea Lab.
See all food & drink →How to Taste Longjing Tea Properly
Drinking longjing is not about gulping down a hot beverage. It is a sensory experience that engages sight, smell, taste, and even touch. Here is how to do it right:
- Use a glass cup, not ceramic. Longjing is appreciated for its visual beauty — the flat, spear-shaped leaves unfurling in clear water. A tall glass (typically 250-300ml) lets you watch this "dance of the tea leaves."
- Never use boiling water. The ideal temperature for longjing is 80-85°C (176-185°F). Boiling water scorches the delicate leaves and produces a bitter, grassy taste. Let boiled water sit for 3-4 minutes before pouring.
- The three-sip method. Your first sip is about aroma — inhale the chestnut-like fragrance before the tea touches your lips. The second sip is about taste — let it roll across your tongue to catch the sweetness. The third sip is about finish — the clean, slightly sweet aftertaste that lingers. Each infusion brings out different notes.
- Refill, do not replace. High-quality longjing can be infused three to five times. After the first cup, refill with 85°C water and steep for slightly longer each time. The second and third infusions are often considered the best.
- Do not add anything. Sugar, milk, honey — none of these belong in longjing. The tea's subtle chestnut, vegetal, and floral notes are complete on their own. Adding anything is akin to putting ketchup on a Michelin-starred dish.
What to Buy: Longjing Tea Grades and Prices
If you want to bring home authentic longjing tea, understanding the grading system is essential. Prices vary dramatically based on harvest time, leaf quality, and origin.
| Grade | Harvest Time | Characteristics | Price (per 50g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Qingming (Mingqian) | Before April 5 | Most tender buds, pale green, delicate chestnut aroma, limited yield | ¥300–¥800+ |
| Pre-Grain Rain (Yuqian) | April 5–20 | Slightly larger leaves, stronger flavor, excellent value | ¥150–¥300 |
| Spring Harvest | Late April–May | Fuller flavor, more astringent, good for daily drinking | ¥60–¥150 |
| Summer Harvest | June–August | Stronger, slightly bitter, budget option | ¥30–¥80 |
| Imperial / Special Grade | Pre-Qingming | Single bud only, from protected imperial bushes | ¥500–¥2000+ |
Buying Tip
Buy directly from tea farmers in Longjing or Meijiawu Village rather than tourist shops. Farmers typically let you taste before buying and charge less than city retailers. If you cannot visit the villages, the China National Tea Museum shop and reputable stores like Wang De Chuan are reliable alternatives. Be wary of "longjing" sold at rock-bottom prices — authentic West Lake longjing has a protected designation of origin and cannot be extremely cheap.