Meijiawu Tea Village
Meijiawu Tea Village is located in the west of Hangzhou's West Lake scenic area, close to the West Lake in the east district and just south of the famous Buddhist Lingyin Temple. Known as the "Ten Miles Meiwu", the Meijiawu Village is an ancient village with more than 600 years' history. It is also a leisure village in tea farm style. The beautiful lush mountain backdrop, the tranquil glens, and the clear flowing rivers and the sweet smell of the tea makes this area famous for producing the renowned 'West Lake Dragon Well Tea' irresistible for tourist.
Meijiawu cultural tea-village sitting in a dale between deeply green mountains covered in tea has for centuries been the zenith of tea culture and tea cultivation in China, the village is consist of more than 160 tea-producing families and tourists who visit this village are treated to an authentic cultural experience that includes learning about the origins of tea, picking tea-leaves, turning tea-leaves into tea and a tea-art performance that includes how to drink tea. In spring, the rich smell of freshly grown tea-leaves fills the air as well as enjoying the beautiful natural landscape and the friendly hospitality of the locals.
Meijiawu has many amazing cultural relics: a special commemorative room dedicated to the former premier of China Zhou Enlai, an ancient bridge, the famed 'dragon well' tea , an ancient fish pond and a small dock that allows access to the lake, Meijiawu really offers a perfect harmony of culture, rich natural landscapes and history.
Dragon Well Tea Garden
It is the source area of Dragon Well Tea where the Dragon Well Tea is both produced and sold by the local.
Surrounded by green mountains that appear like folding green screen-doors the peaks of the Dragon Well Mountain and the Lion Peak both produce tea that is a rich velvety green and is accompanied by a strong sweet aroma, This cultural tea village has received official visits from the Soviet Union, The United States, Vietnam, Romania and Cambodia, however it holds special significance for the first premier of the People's Republic of China, Zhou Enlai, who visited Meijiawu five times before his death and always had a special affinity with this amazing cultural tea-village. When one drinks and savors the richly flavored tea of this region one cannot help but feel relaxed in the peaceful surrounds of the quiet mountains far away from the noise and bustle of Hangzhou city.
The Zhou Enlai memorial hall
The Zhou Enlai memorial hall in Meijiawu cultural tea village was erected to commemorate the several visits of the former Chinese premier including: a large reception hall upstairs and downstairs an exhibition hall where recordings of Zhou Enlai are exhibited. The visitors can also see the materials left when the leaders from the central government visited Meijiawu Village.
Authentic country-style cuisine
The Dragon-well region is most famous for its amazing landscape and fragrant tea, however, the region offers boasts some delicious local food. Authentic rice made by burning firewoods, fragrant braised pork, moist chicken infused with Dragon-well tea, all food is expertly prepared and delectable in flavor. When one heads to the Dragon-well region it's a certainty that you will sample China's most famous tea, but the local cuisine undoubtedly adds more flavor to the Meijiawu cultural tea-village.
Local customs and the spirit of the Dragon-Well
Local food, Dragon-well tea, the terraced tea-gardens and sweet-smelly osmanthus flowers; Meijiawu is really the ideal way to slowly enjoy a day in Hangzhou, sit down with and chat with the locals, or drink perfect cup of Dragon-Well tea and enjoy the tranquil surrounds of this hidden paradise.
Friendly local hostesses invite you to visit the village, and introduce you to the picturesque village, and they will always work hard to ensure that your time in Meijiawu is enjoyable and relaxing.