Dragon Well Tea Park (Longjing Wencha)

Dragon Well Tea Park (Longjing Wencha) Review

Equally celebrated as West Lake, and a short ride southwest of the lake, is Dragon Well Tea Park, set amid rolling tea plantations. This park is named for an ancient well whose water is considered ideal for brewing the famous local Longjing tea. Distinguishing between varieties and grades of tea can be confusing for novices, especially under the high pressure of the eager hawkers. It is worth a preliminary trip to the nearby tea museum to bone up first. The highest quality varieties are very expensive, but once you take a sip you will taste the difference. Opening prices are intentionally high, so be sure to bargain. Continue walking south on Longjing Lu from the tea museum for stunning scenery uphill toward the park. The tea park has minimal rates posted (Y2/3), but it's likely that someone will let you in for free.