On This Page
Hangzhou without tea is like Paris without wine. The city has been China's tea capital for over a thousand years, and drinking Longjing (Dragon Well) tea in a proper tea house is one of the most authentic experiences you can have here. This guide covers the best tea houses across the city — from lakeside pavilions with million-dollar views to village rooms where the tea is grown outside the window.
Types of Tea Houses in Hangzhou
Traditional Tea Houses (茶馆)
Formal settings with trained tea masters, premium teas, and sometimes snacks or light meals. Expect to pay ¥50–200 per person for a tea session.
Village Tea Rooms (农家茶室)
Family-run tasting rooms in Longjing Village and surrounding tea-growing areas. The tea is grown on-site, and prices are often better than in the city. Tasting is usually free; you pay only if you buy tea to take home.
Modern Tea Bars (新式茶饮)
Contemporary tea shops serving cold-brewed, fruit-infused, and bubble tea drinks. Popular with young locals. ¥15–35 per drink.
Lakeside Tea Pavilions
Tea houses along West Lake with scenic views. You pay for the location as much as the tea. ¥80–300 per person.
Best Traditional Tea Houses
1. Huxinting Tea House (湖心亭茶楼)
A tea pavilion on a small island in West Lake, accessible by a stone bridge. One of the most atmospheric tea-drinking experiences in China.
Specialty: Pre-Qingming Longjing, served with traditional snacks
Price: ¥88–188 per person (includes tea and snacks)
Hours: 08:00–21:00
Location: Huxinting Island, West Lake
How to get there: Walk from Hubin Park along the causeway
2. Qingteng Tea House (青藤茶馆)
A beloved local tea house chain with multiple locations. The Wulin Road branch is the most popular, with a traditional interior and extensive tea menu.
Specialty: Longjing, Tieguanyin, Pu'er — over 50 varieties
Price: ¥58–128 per person (bottomless refills)
Hours: 09:00–22:00
Location: 278 Wulin Road (武林路278号)
Metro: Wulin Square Station (Line 1), walk 5 minutes
3. He Tea House (和茶馆)
An elegant tea house near West Lake with a focus on premium teas and a quiet, refined atmosphere.
Specialty: Aged Pu'er, high-grade Longjing
Price: ¥68–168 per person
Hours: 10:00–22:00
Location: Nanshan Road area
Best Village Tea Rooms
4. Longjing Village Family Tea Rooms
The best value and most authentic tea experience in Hangzhou. Dozens of families open their homes for tea tasting. You sit in their living room or courtyard, and they brew multiple grades of Longjing for you to compare.
Specialty: Fresh Longjing, direct from the farm
Price: Tasting is free; tea to take home ¥100–2,000/500g depending on grade
Hours: 08:00–17:00 (some close earlier in winter)
How to get there: Bus 27 to Longjing Village, or taxi ¥25 from West Lake
Tips:
- It is polite to buy at least a small amount if you enjoy the tasting
- Ask to see the tea being roasted (spring harvest only)
- The higher up the village you go, the better the views and often the better the tea
5. Meijiawu Tea Village (梅家坞茶文化村)
A larger tea village 6km from West Lake with dozens of tea houses and restaurants. More commercial than Longjing Village but with better facilities and food options.
Specialty: Longjing tea with farm-style meals
Price: ¥30–80 for tea, ¥50–100 for a meal
Hours: 08:00–21:00
How to get there: Bus 324 or taxi ¥35 from West Lake
Best Modern Tea Bars
6. Nayuki (奈雪的茶)
A popular modern tea chain serving fruit tea, cheese-topped tea, and cold-brewed Longjing. The West Lake branch has a beautiful interior.
Specialty: Cheese-topped Longjing, fruit tea blends
Price: ¥18–35 per drink
Hours: 10:00–22:00
Locations: In77 Mall, multiple locations citywide
7. Chagee (霸王茶姬)
A fast-growing tea chain specializing in fresh milk tea with premium tea bases. Their Longjing milk tea is excellent.
Specialty: Fresh milk tea with Longjing base
Price: ¥15–28 per drink
Hours: 10:00–22:00
Locations: Multiple locations citywide
Best Lakeside Tea Pavilions
8. Louwailou Tea Terrace (楼外楼茶座)
The famous restaurant's outdoor tea terrace overlooking West Lake. The tea is good; the view is extraordinary.
Specialty: Longjing tea with traditional pastries
Price: ¥68–128 per person
Hours: 10:00–21:00
Location: Gushan Island, West Lake
9. Taiziwan Park Tea House (太子湾茶室)
A quiet tea house in Taiziwan Park, surrounded by gardens and with views of the hills.
Specialty: Spring Longjing with seasonal flowers
Price: ¥48–88 per person
Hours: 08:30–17:00
Location: Taiziwan Park, south of West Lake
Tea House Etiquette
For Tourists
- Do not rush. Tea drinking is about slowing down. Plan to spend at least 30–60 minutes.
- Let the host pour. In traditional tea houses, a tea master or host will pour for you. Do not pour your own tea unless invited.
- Tap two fingers on the table when someone pours tea for you — this is the Chinese "thank you" gesture.
- Smell before sipping. First smell the tea aroma, then take a small sip to appreciate the flavor.
- Do not add sugar or milk to Longjing or other green teas. This would be like adding ice to a fine wine.
- Eat the snacks. Most tea houses provide small snacks (瓜子, 糕点). They are included in the price and complement the tea.
Tea Tasting Steps
- Warm the cup — the host warms your cup with hot water
- Smell the empty cup — it carries the aroma of the tea
- Watch the leaves — Longjing leaves stand upright in the water when fresh
- Smell the tea — before drinking, inhale the steam
- Sip slowly — let the tea coat your tongue
- Appreciate the aftertaste — good Longjing has a sweet, chestnut-like finish (回甘)
Tea Prices Guide
| Tea Type | Grade | Price per 500g | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longjing (Pre-Qingming) | Premium | ¥2,000–5,000+ | Gifts, special occasions |
| Longjing (Pre-Guyu) | High | ¥800–2,000 | Personal enjoyment |
| Longjing (Spring) | Good | ¥400–800 | Daily drinking |
| Longjing (Summer/Autumn) | Standard | ¥80–200 | Cooking, casual |
| Tieguanyin | Various | ¥100–500 | Alternative to Longjing |
| Pu'er (aged) | Various | ¥200–5,000+ | Collectors, connoisseurs |
FAQ
How much does a tea house visit cost?
Traditional tea houses: ¥50–200/person. Village tea rooms: free tasting (pay only for tea to take home). Modern tea bars: ¥15–35/drink.
Do I need a reservation?
Most tea houses do not require reservations. For Huxinting and Louwailou on weekends, arriving before 10:00 is advisable.
Can I buy tea at a tea house?
Yes, most traditional tea houses and all village tea rooms sell tea. Village prices are typically 30–50% lower than city tea shops for the same quality.
What if I do not like green tea?
Most tea houses offer black tea, oolong, Pu'er, and white tea. Just ask for the tea menu (茶单).
Is it rude to leave without buying?
In village tea rooms, it is polite to buy at least a small amount (50–100g, ¥50–100). In city tea houses, you have already paid for the session, so there is no pressure to buy.