Pagoda
The golden tower of the White Snake legend, glowing over the lake's south shore at dusk — one of the classic Ten Scenes of West Lake.
Evening Glow · Leifeng Pagoda · Hangzhou
Longjing Tea Terraces
Hangzhou4.72 hr15k saved
The terraced hills west of West Lake grow Longjing (Dragon Well) green tea, pan-fired flat by hand and best drunk the spring it's picked. Walk up through Longjing or Meijiawu village past the rows of bushes, then sit in a farmhouse for a glass of the year's first 'pre-Qingming' leaves — pale gold, faintly chestnutty. Buy direct from a grower, and be wary of roadside 'bargains' that aren't local.
Good to know
- Best time — morning — Softer light on the terraces, cooler for the hills, farmers actively picking in season.
- Open public area, no gate - effectively daylight hours; farmhouse teahouses ~8/9 AM-late afternoon (varies by family).
- Drink pre-Qingming tea where it's grown
- Buy from a farmhouse, not roadside hawkers
- Walk Meijiawu village for quieter terraces
Insider tip — Tea-picking season is ~mid-March-early April for prized pre-Qingming 'Mingqian' leaf; buy direct to avoid tourist-shop markups; bus 103 reaches Meijiawu South Entrance.
Photo: Bluesea Tea · Unsplash License
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