AS Qingming Festival approaches, tea plantations in the Jiangnan area, a region to the south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in East China, enter their best season of the year. Ever since ancient times, Hangzhou, also known as the “Capital of Tea in China,” has been a famous tea production base in the country. It is the birthplace of Longjing (Dragon Well) tea, which is the most famous green tea in China and ranked as first among China’s top 10 teas. During this time of the year, tea lovers across the country flock to Hangzhou to start a brand-new adventure in nature and tea culture. In this article, we will introduce four ways that only locals know to truly enjoy the Hangzhou tea season. Tea-leaf picking in Meijiawu Tea Culture Village Enjoying a time-honored history of over 1,200 years, Xihu Longjing (West Lake Dragon Well) Tea dates back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and gained popularity in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Though tea leaves can be harvested all year round in Hangzhou, the precious Mingqian (literally “pre-Qingming”) Longjing tea should be picked before the Qingming Festival, which falls on April 4 this year. The Mingqian Longjing teas are made of the very first tea sprouts in spring and are considered high quality. Nestled in the hills surrounding West Lake, Meijiawu Tea Culture Village is a famous Longjing tea plantation. With a history of over 600 years, it’s renowned as one of the core production bases of Xihu Longjing Tea in China. Compared with the main tourist sites of the West Lake, tourist crowds here are small. Whether driving around, strolling or bicycling, you will see tea plantations along the way, dotted by farms and tea houses. Do try the fun of tea-leaf picking. Find a tea house along the way, pay no more than 80 yuan (US$12), then carry a basket on your back up to the hill and enjoy the fun. Usually, the tea house owner will help you fry the tea. Taking a class at China National Tea Museum Normally, museums have a serious atmosphere. The China National Tea Museum has no fence and connects different tea culture halls through winding paths, providing people an enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere. Embraced by the natural environment, the museum is a tranquil and exquisite Jiangnan garden. Not too far from the beautiful West Lake Longjing Tea Village, the China National Tea Museum is the only national museum focusing on tea and tea culture. Featuring mountain gardens, it enjoys a 70-percent forest coverage forest. The exhibition halls focus on different themes including tea history, variety, sets and customs. The detailed introduction is like a crash course on tea culture for visitors. After this, you will probably find a tea that can cater to your health. There is a Japanese-style thatched structure hidden in the museum, which is actually a tea art experience house. Outside the structure you will find a Japanese-style bridge, flowing water and cherry blossoms, which taken together gets the nickname of “Little Kyoto in Hangzhou.” Savoring Mingqian tea at West Lake State Guesthouse Mingqian Longjing Tea is very rare since there is only about a 10-day window between the day the tea leaves start budding and the Qingming Festival, the period for tea-leaf picking. Experienced tea lovers will look for Mingqian Longjing tea once they visit Hangzhou. However it’s not easy finding authentic sources. So where can you taste a real Ming-qian Longjing tea with a rich flavor and full aroma? Most tea lovers will choose the West Lake State Guesthouse where you can savor the same tea that State leaders of China and the U.S. tasted during the G20 Hangzhou Summit in 2016. Trekking along Shili Langdang path Shili Langdang, a popular mountaineering path near the Longjing Village, stretches from Wuyun Mountain to the area of Shangtianzhu. It’s surrounded by tea plantations. Some people come to nearby Meijiawu to enjoy the fun of tea-leaf picking, while others come for trekking. No matter which path you take to go up the mountain, you will always want to linger in the tea plantations. Turn around at some point during the trip, and you will reach Tianzhu Road, which will lead to the Tianzhu incense market. The market was one of the 18 famous sites in the West Lake area during the Qing Dynasty. At 317 Tianzhu Road, there sits the Hangzhou Public Library Buddhism Branch, the most beautiful reading place in Hangzhou. With a small bridge over the flowing stream and towering ancient trees, the library provides a tranquil and serene environment for readers. (Chen Xiaochun) | 