Beyond the Brew: Your Guide to Meijiawu Tea Plantation Village in Hangzhou
Travel in Hangzhou
Hot China City Tours
Table of Contents
- 1. Quick Meijiawu Tea Village Facts
- 2. What to See in Meijiawu Tea Culture Village: More Than a Tea Plantation
- 3. Best Things to Do in Meijiawu Tea Village Tour
- 4. Best Time to Visit Meijiawu Tea Village
- 5. How to Get to Meijiawu Tea Plantation
- 6. Meijiawu vs. Longjing Village in Hangzhou: Which One to Choose?
- 7. Explore Hangzhou’s Tea Culture with Easy Tour China
Surrounded by green mountains and tea fragrance, Meijiawu Tea Village is a famous production base of Longjing Tea at the hinterland of West Lake Park in Hangzhou City. It used to receive many world-renowned celebrities from around the world and a number of state leaders from many other countries and regions. You can enjoy the special tea culture, the beautiful village scenery, and the original natural environment when you are visiting here.
Here, you can wander through endless tea fields, witness the ancient art of tea processing, and experience the unique charm of a village where life has revolved around this precious green tea for over 600 years. It’s a perfect place to slow down, breathe in the fragrance, and connect with the soul of Chinese tea culture.
Quick Meijiawu Tea Village Facts
What to See in Meijiawu Tea Culture Village: More Than a Tea Plantation
One of the most fascinating sights, especially in spring, is witnessing the traditional tea craftsmanship of hand-roasting. Many farmers still practice this skilled technique in their homes, using large electric woks to press and shape the leaves by hand. This process, which gives Longjing tea, a type of green tea, a distinctive flat appearance and releases its own aroma, is a special art form passed down through generations.
Beyond the tea, you’ll find cultural landmarks like the Premier Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall (周恩来纪念堂), built by the villagers in 1991 to commemorate his visits and contributions to the area. This simple, elegant architecture of the village houses, with the whitewashed walls and gray tiled roofs, is characteristic of the Jiangnan (south of the Yangtze River) region.
Best Things to Do in Meijiawu Tea Village Tour
Your Hangzhou tour to the Meijiawu Tea Village can be as relaxed or as active as you like. Here are some must-do activities.
Experience a Tea Tasting and Local Cuisine in a Tea House
This is the main experience in the village. During your tour, No. 131 Tea House may be is a perfect place for your experience. You can settle into a bamboo chair by a window overlooking the fields and order a cup of freshly brewed Meijiawu Longjing tea. The owners are often happy to chat and share their knowledge about the tea.
In No. 131 Tea House, it also offers delicious local dishes. You shouldn’t miss specialties like Longjing Shrimp (stir-fried river shrimp with tea leaves) or other tea-flavored local delicacies.
>> Learn more about Hangzhou Food: Must-eat Dishes and Best Restaurants
Learn About Tea Processing Techniques
Many tea houses and cultural venues offer demonstrations or explanations of how fresh leaves are transformed into the final product.
You can learn about the different tea processing techniques and the four key harvest periods: Mingqian Tea (before Qingming Festival), Yuqian Tea (before Grain Rain), Sanchun Tea (before summer begins), and Sichun Tea (one month later).
Go Tea Picking (Spring Only)
If you are lucky enough to visit Hangzhou from late March to early April, spending CNY158 (the price is for reference), you can participate in a tea picking.
Donning a bamboo hat and basket, you can head into the fields with local farmers to learn how to pluck the tender “one bud and two leaves” that make the finest Longjing tea and enjoy a cup of tea picked by yourself.
Walk or Hike the Surrounding Trails
Meijiawu Tea Village is perfectly connected to some of Hangzhou’s best natural scenery. You can easily combine your tour with a hike.
Ten-Mile Langdang Hiking Route (十里琅珰)
Right from the village, you can access the “Ten-Mile Langdang,” a historic stone-paved trail that winds along the ridge lines.
This popular hike offers spectacular panoramic views of the tea terraces and the surrounding mountains, connecting you to other scenic spots like Longjing Tea Village. It’s a fantastic way to experience the scale of the two most famous Hangzhou tea plantations.
Yunqi Bamboo Forest
A short walk south from the village leads you to Yunqi Bamboo Forest, a lush, tranquil grove of tall bamboo.It’s a wonderfully cool and peaceful place for a stroll in summer and was even a filming location for the movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (卧虎藏龙).
Best Time to Visit Meijiawu Tea Village
March to May (spring) is the undisputed best time to visit Meijiawu Tea Plantation. The weather is mild, and the hills are vibrant with new growth. It’s also the best time for a spring tea tour in Hangzhou. Be aware that the Qingming Festival holiday in early April can get very crowded.
>> Recommended 20 Days China Tea Discovery
Autumn (September to November) is another fantastic season. The weather is crisp and clear, perfect for hiking. The villages are also fragrant with blooming osmanthus flowers, adding a sweet scent to the air, and you can often enjoy a cup of osmanthus-flavored Longjing tea.
>> Learn more about Hangzhou Weather
How to Get to Meijiawu Tea Plantation
By bus is the easiest way for independent travelers. You can take several buses, including No. 103, 121, 324, or 508H, and get off at the Meijiawu South Entrance (梅坞南口) or Meijiawu (梅家坞) stop.
Meijiawu vs. Longjing Village in Hangzhou: Which One to Choose?
Both plantations are excellent destinations to experience Longjing tea culture, but they offer slightly different vibes.
| Features | Longjing Village | Meijiawu Tea Plantation |
|---|---|---|
| Tickets | Free; Old Longjing Scenic Spot: CNY 10 (includes a free cup of tea) | Free |
| Highlights | Known as the “No. 1 Tea Village,” it offers terraced tea fields, hiking scenic paths, and tea-tasting experiences. | A major Longjing tea production area with numerous tea houses and farmhouse restaurants. |
| Nearby Attractions | Lingyin Temple, China National Tea Museum | West Lake |
| Vibe | More famous and historically significant, but can be more crowded and commercial with more touts | Considered more rustic, peaceful, and less crowded with fewer touts than Longjing Village |
Explore Hangzhou’s Tea Culture with Easy Tour China
A visit to the Meijiawu Tea Plantation is a highlight in your Hangzhou tour, offering a hands-on experience with one of China’s most celebrated teas. With Easy Tour China, you can combine your tea adventure with the timeless elegance of Xitang Water Town and the spiritual peace of Lingyin Temple for a truly unforgettable journey. Here are some recommended Hangzhou itineraries.
