Our Location:
No. 99, Jiazi Road, Chengdu
Most foreign visitors arrive at Longjing Village expecting English signs and credit card machines. Instead, they find a working village where cash is king and the best views require a 30-minute uphill walk. This guide tells you exactly what to expect, no surprises.
Quick Answer
Is Longjing Village free to enter?
Direct answer: Yes. Longjing Village and its public tea terraces are completely free, no ticket, no reservation, no passport check. The only paid attraction inside is the Old Longjing Imperial Tea Garden (10 yuan, cash only, open 08:30-17:00). The China National Tea Museum (Longjing branch) is also free but requires a WeChat reservation.
How do I get there as a foreigner?
Direct answer: Take Bus 27 or 87 from central Hangzhou to "Longjing Village" or "Longjing Tea Room" stop. From West Lake core area, a DiDi costs 30-45 yuan and takes 25-35 minutes. Driving is not recommended, parking is limited and weekend traffic is severe.
Which route should I choose?
Direct answer: It depends on your time and fitness. Route A (Classic, 2.5-3 hours) suits most first-time visitors. Route B (Short, 1 hour) works for quick photos only. Route C (Deep, 4 hours) is for hikers and photographers who want solitude and mountain views. See the decision table below.
What payment methods work?
Direct answer: Cash is the most reliable method. Bring 200-500 yuan. International credit cards are rarely accepted. Alipay and WeChat Pay work if you already have them set up with an international card.
What is the biggest mistake to avoid?
Direct answer: Buying tea from street vendors who approach you. Prices are heavily inflated, and the tea is often not authentic West Lake Longjing. Buy only from established shops with clear pricing, and taste before you purchase.
Quick Decision Table: Which Route Is Right for You?
| Route | Duration | Difficulty | Best For | Less Suitable If | Trade-off/Risk | TripChina Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Route A: Classic | 2.5-3 hours | Low | First-time visitors, families, seniors | You have less than 2 hours | Moderate crowds on main path | Best for most visitors |
| Route B: Short Visit | 1 hour | Very Low | Quick photo stop, tight schedule | You want tea culture experience | Disappointing, entrance area only | Skip unless truly short on time |
| Route C: Deep Experience | 4 hours | Medium-Low | Hikers, photographers, tea enthusiasts | You have mobility issues or young children | Requires proper shoes, water, and fitness | Best for nature lovers with time |
Why Visit Longjing Village?
Longjing Village is not a theme park or a ticketed scenic spot. It is a working tea community that has produced West Lake Longjing tea for over 1,600 years. The village sits in the core production zone of "Shi, Long, Yun, Hu", the four legendary Longjing tea origins, and is widely considered the finest.
What makes it worth your time is the contrast with Hangzhou's more commercial attractions. Instead of souvenir shops and tour groups, you get layered tea terraces climbing the hillsides, farmers sorting leaves on their doorsteps, and the smell of fresh tea being hand-roasted in iron woks. Spring mornings (late March to mid-April) are especially striking: you can watch tea farmers picking the first tender leaves at dawn.
Most foreign visitors only walk the entrance path and leave after 30 minutes, that is the biggest mistake. The real village opens up five minutes past the last shop, where the crowd noise drops and the terraces stretch uninterrupted toward the mountains.
For a broader context of Hangzhou's tea culture, see our [Hangzhou Tea Culture Experience](candidate) guide.
Tickets & Booking: What Costs What
| Attraction | Price | Booking Required | Hours | Notes for Foreigners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longjing Village (public area + tea terraces) | Free | No | 24 hours | No gate, no ticket, no passport |
| Old Longjing Imperial Tea Garden (18 Imperial Tea Trees) | 10 yuan | No, pay on site | 08:30-17:00 | Cash only; see the legendary trees and ancient well |
| China National Tea Museum (Longjing branch) | Free | Yes, via WeChat official account "中国茶叶博物馆" | 09:00-16:30, closed Mondays (except holidays) | Last entry at 16:00; some English exhibits |
| Tea picking / roasting experience | 50-200 yuan | Yes, ask at tea houses directly | Seasonal (spring best) | Price varies; confirm before committing |
Key takeaway: You do not need to buy anything to enjoy the village. The 10 yuan garden is worth it for tea history enthusiasts, but the free tea terraces and museum already give you a rich experience.
Best Time to Visit
By Season
- Spring (late March to mid-April): The best time. Fresh tea harvest, vibrant green terraces, and the chance to see farmers at work. Temperatures around 18°C.
- Autumn (September to October): Excellent for hiking. Cool air, clear skies, and fewer visitors. The tea is not in harvest, but the scenery is still beautiful.
- Summer and Winter: Less ideal. Summer is hot and humid; winter is cold and the terraces are less green.
By Day and Hour
- Weekdays only. Weekends bring heavy crowds, traffic jams, and long bus queues. The peaceful atmosphere disappears.
- Morning (08:30-11:00): Best for soft light and low crowds. Arrive early to enjoy the village before tour groups arrive.
- Dawn (06:30-08:00): For photographers, mist over the tea terraces creates magical light. You may have the paths to yourself.
- Afternoon (14:00-15:00): Best golden-hour light for tea terrace photos.
- Avoid 10:00-15:00 on weekends, the entrance area becomes packed, and buses are overcrowded.
How to Get There: Transportation for Foreign Travelers
Bus (Recommended)
Take Bus 27 or Bus 87 from central Hangzhou. Both stop at "Longjing Village" or "Longjing Tea Room" station.
Key bus 27 route stops (useful for planning):
Yuewang Road → Xiao Che Qiao → Ge Ling → Xin Xin Hotel → Yue Fen (Yue Fei Temple) → Botanical Garden → Mao Jia Bu → Shuang Feng → Longjing Temple → Longjing Tea Room → Longjing Village
From Metro Line 1 (Longxiangqiao station): Exit and walk to the bus stop for Bus 27 or 87. Journey takes about 30-40 minutes.
From Metro Line 4 (Shuichengqiao station, Exit B): Transfer to Bus 39, 308, 500, or 514 to Jiuxi station, then walk or take another bus to Longjing Village. This is a longer option.
Last bus warning: The regular Bus 27 ends around 18:15. There is a scheduled bus (定时班车) from the village entrance that runs until 20:00, but it is infrequent and often overcrowded. Do not rely on the scheduled bus, aim to leave before 18:00.
DiDi / Taxi
- From West Lake core area (e.g., Longxiangqiao): 30-45 yuan, 25-35 minutes
- From Yue Fei Temple area: 15-20 yuan
- Set your destination to "龙井村", show the driver these Chinese characters
Driving (Not Recommended)
Parking is limited (about 10 yuan/hour) and weekend traffic is severe. The bus has a dedicated lane and is often faster. If you must drive, arrive before 9:00 AM.
Walking (Not Recommended)
Longjing Village is too far from West Lake to walk. Do not attempt this.
Which Route Should You Take?
Route A: Classic Route (2.5-3 hours, Low Difficulty)
Best for: First-time visitors, families, seniors, moderate fitness
This is the recommended route for most foreign travelers. It covers the essential experiences without being too long or strenuous.
Waypoints:
- Bus stop → village entrance (5 min walk)
- Public tea terraces for photos (15 min)
- China National Tea Museum, free, indoor, some English exhibits (30-45 min)
- Old Longjing Imperial Tea Garden, 10 yuan, see the 18 imperial tea trees (20-30 min)
- Tea house rest, sit down for a cup of Longjing (30-50 yuan, unlimited refills)
- Return to bus stop
Why this works: You get tea terraces, cultural context, a historic garden, and a relaxing tea break, all within a manageable time frame. The paths are mostly flat or gently sloping.
Route B: Short Visit (1 hour, Very Low Difficulty)
Best for: Tight schedule, quick photo stop
What you do: Get off the bus, walk to the entrance tea terraces, take photos, walk the main road for 10 minutes, and return to the bus stop.
What you miss: The museum, the imperial garden, the quiet back paths, and any real tea culture experience. This route exists only for travelers who truly have no more than an hour.
TripChina advice: If you only have one hour, consider skipping Longjing Village entirely and spending that time at a West Lake attraction instead. The transit time alone (30 minutes each way) makes a one-hour visit feel rushed and unsatisfying.
Route C: Deep Experience (4 hours, Medium-Low Difficulty)
Best for: Hikers, photographers, tea enthusiasts
This route takes you away from the crowds and into the hills where the real Longjing Village lives.
Waypoints:
- Enter from Yangmeiling entrance (less crowded than main entrance)
- Mountain tea terraces, walk through working tea fields (30 min)
- Shizifeng (Lion Peak) half-mountain trail, panoramic views (45 min)
- Old Longjing Imperial Tea Garden (20-30 min)
- Remote tea house, quieter, more authentic than main road options
- Optional extension: descend to Nine Creeks (九溪十八涧) for a hike back to Jiuxi bus station (adds 1-1.5 hours)
Requirements: Proper non-slip athletic shoes, at least 1 liter of water, a fully charged phone with offline maps, and moderate fitness. There are no water stations on the trail. English is essentially absent in this area, download a translation app.
For the full Nine Creeks hiking experience, see our [Nine Creeks Hike Route](candidate) guide.
Food & Facilities
Tea Tasting
Most tea houses along the main road offer tea by the cup:
- 30 yuan/cup: Basic Longjing 43, light grassy note
- 40 yuan/cup: Standard grade, noticeable bean-like aroma (best value)
- 50 yuan/cup: Premium grade, floral and chestnut notes
You get a thermos of hot water and can refill as many times as you like. No time limit.
How to choose a tea house: Look for shops with clear, posted prices. Avoid places where staff pull you in from the street. Sit down, taste first, then decide if you want to buy leaves.
Restaurants
- Longjing No. 1 (龙井壹号): Traditional Zhejiang cuisine, set meal with Longjing shrimp. About 80-120 yuan per person.
- Longjing 82: Modern fusion, hill-view terrace. About 80 yuan per person.
- Noodle shops: Local noodles like pian er chuan (片儿川) for about 25 yuan.
Important
- Bring your own water. Village shops charge 3-5 yuan for a bottle, double the city price.
- Snacks are limited. Pack some nuts or chocolate if you plan to hike.
- No ATMs in the village. Bring cash before you arrive.
Payment Guide
| Method | Accepted? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cash (RMB) | ✅ Widely accepted | Most reliable. Bring 200-500 yuan in small bills. |
| Alipay | ✅ Widely accepted | Works if you have it set up with an international card. |
| WeChat Pay | ✅ Widely accepted | Same as Alipay, set up before your trip. |
| International credit cards | ❌ Rarely accepted | Most small vendors do not have card machines. |
| Apple Pay / Google Pay | ❌ Not accepted | Do not rely on these. |
TripChina advice: Even if you have Alipay or WeChat Pay, carry 200 yuan in cash as a backup. Some older tea farmers only take cash.
Best Route by Destination
| Destination / Scenario | Recommended Mode / Access | Why It Fits | Alternative | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-time visitor, 2.5-3 hours available | Route A: Classic – Bus 27 or 87 to “Longjing Village” stop, then walk through entrance tea terraces, China National Tea Museum (free, reserve via WeChat), Old Longjing Imperial Tea Garden (10 yuan, cash only, 08:30-17:00), and a tea house | Covers all essential experiences (terraces, museum, historic garden, tea break) on mostly flat paths; low difficulty suits families and seniors | Route C: Deep Experience (4 hours) | Route A has moderate crowds on the main path; you miss the quiet hill trails |
| Tight schedule, under 1.5 hours total | Route B: Short Visit – Bus 27 or 87 to “Longjing Village” stop, walk 10 minutes along the entrance road for photos, then return to bus stop | Quickest option for a photo stop; very low difficulty, no booking needed | Skip Longjing Village entirely and visit a West Lake attraction instead | You see only the entrance area; no tea culture experience, museum, or garden; feels rushed given 30-minute transit each way |
| Hiker / photographer / tea enthusiast, 4 hours available | Route C: Deep Experience – Enter via Yangmeiling entrance (less crowded), hike through mountain tea terraces to Shizifeng (Lion Peak) half-mountain trail for panoramic views, then Old Longjing Imperial Tea Garden, and a remote tea house; optional extension to Nine Creeks (adds 1-1.5 hours) | Quiet, crowd-free trails with working tea fields and hilltop views; best for nature lovers with moderate fitness | Route A: Classic (2.5-3 hours) | Requires proper non-slip athletic shoes, 1 liter of water, offline maps, and moderate fitness; no English on trails; no water stations |
| Quick photo stop only (1 hour) | Route B: Short Visit – Same as above | Minimal time investment; no tickets needed | Route A: Classic | Disappointing experience; transit time (30 min each way) makes this feel rushed; TripChina recommends skipping if under 1.5 hours |
| Tea culture deep dive | Route C: Deep Experience – Yangmeiling entrance, then remote tea house (30-50 yuan per cup, unlimited refills) | Authentic, quiet tea house away from main road crowds; you can watch farmers in spring mornings | Route A: Classic with tea house on main road | Longer time commitment; requires cash and translation app |
| Family with young children or seniors | Route A: Classic – Bus 27 or 87 to “Longjing Village” stop | Low difficulty, mostly flat paths, indoor museum option, and tea house rest stops | Route C: Deep Experience | Moderate crowds; less adventurous than hiking trails |
| Weekend visitor | Route A: Classic – Arrive before 09:00 AM via Bus 27 or 87 (bus has dedicated lane, often faster than car) | Bus avoids parking shortages and severe weekend traffic | DiDi (30-45 yuan from West Lake core) | Weekend crowds ruin peaceful atmosphere; buses packed by 10:00 AM; TripChina advises visiting on weekdays instead |
| Visitor with mobility issues | Route A: Classic – Enter from main bus stop, stick to entrance tea terraces and main road only | Flat or gently sloping paths near the entrance; museum and some tea houses are accessible | Route C: Deep Experience or Shililanglang viewpoint | You miss hill trails and panoramic views; steep, uneven stone paths elsewhere are unsuitable |
| Photographer seeking golden-hour light | Route A: Classic (afternoon, 14:00-15:00) or Route C: Deep Experience (dawn, 06:30-08:00) | Afternoon: golden-hour light on entrance terraces; dawn: mist over hill terraces with few people | Route B: Short Visit | Dawn requires early arrival (bus 27 starts around 06:00); afternoon has more visitors |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Buying tea from street vendors
Vendors who approach you on the street almost always sell overpriced, low-quality tea labeled as "authentic Mingqian Longjing." The markup can be 5-10x the real value. Only buy from established shops with posted prices, and taste before you buy.
2. Wearing the wrong shoes
The stone paths are uneven, and many sections have steep slopes. Rain makes the stones slippery. Wear non-slip athletic shoes. Avoid sandals, flats, or heels.
3. Arriving without water
There are no water fountains on the trails. Village shops charge 3-5 yuan for a small bottle. Bring at least 1 liter per person.
4. Expecting English service
About 90% of vendors and tea house staff do not speak English. There are very few English signs. Download a translation app (Pleco, Google Translate, or Baidu Translate) before you arrive.
5. Arriving too late
The Old Longjing Imperial Tea Garden closes at 17:00. The China National Tea Museum closes at 16:30 (last entry 16:00) and is closed on Mondays. The last regular bus leaves around 18:15. Plan to arrive by 10:00 AM at the latest.
6. Going on weekends
Weekend crowds turn the peaceful tea village into a congested tourist stop. Buses are packed, parking is impossible, and the quiet atmosphere disappears. Visit on a weekday, or skip it entirely.
Local Tips
- Walk 5 minutes past the entrance shops. Most tourists never go beyond the first 200 meters. Past the last shop, the crowds thin dramatically and you get the real village.
- Spring mornings (06:30-08:00): You can watch tea farmers picking leaves. This is the most authentic moment in the village.
- China National Tea Museum: Ask at the front desk about free guided tours. They are usually in Chinese, but the exhibits have some English labels.
- Shililanglang (十里琅珰) viewpoint: From the village entrance arch, walk uphill for about 30 minutes. The path is steep in places but rewards you with a panoramic view of the entire tea valley.
- Best photo spots: The tea terraces at the village entrance (early morning light), the Shililanglang viewpoint (afternoon golden hour), and the stone bridge near the Old Longjing Imperial Tea Garden.
TripChina Verdict: Is Longjing Village Worth Visiting?
Yes, as a West Lake supplement, not as a standalone destination.
Longjing Village is worth your time if:
- You want to see where real Longjing tea comes from
- You have 2-4 hours to spare and want to escape West Lake crowds
- You are comfortable with limited English and cash-only payments
- You enjoy walking through working agricultural landscapes
Skip it if:
- You have less than 1.5 hours (transit time makes it feel rushed)
- You have mobility issues and no car (the village has steep, uneven paths)
- You expect a polished, English-friendly tourist attraction
- You are on a tight Hangzhou itinerary and don't care about tea culture
Bottom line: Longjing Village offers an authentic glimpse into China's most famous tea culture, but it asks you to meet it on its own terms. Come prepared, arrive early on a weekday, and walk past the entrance crowds. The real village is waiting five minutes further in.
This guide gives you everything you need to plan your own visit. But if you'd rather skip the research and have a personalized itinerary with optimized timing, offline maps, and verified tea house recommendations, our Premium Travel Guides and AI Trip Planner organize all the details so you can focus on enjoying the experience instead of managing logistics.
Step Into Hangzhou's Tea Village Before Your Visit
From green tea fields and mountain trails to traditional tea houses and quiet village life, this video captures the relaxing atmosphere of Longjing Village, one of Hangzhou’s most charming hidden gems.
This article is part of the Hangzhou Travel Guide Hub.
Explore all Hangzhou travel guides here → Hangzhou Hub
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreign visitors enter Longjing Village?
Yes. Longjing Village is open to all visitors with no restrictions. No special permit, reservation, or passport is required. Foreigners can enter freely and explore the entire public area.
Does Longjing Village charge an entrance fee?
No. The village, public tea terraces, and walking paths are completely free. The only paid attraction is the Old Longjing Imperial Tea Garden, which charges 10 yuan per person (cash only, open 08:30-17:00).
How long should I spend in Longjing Village?
1-3 hours for a basic visit covering the tea terraces, museum, and imperial garden. 3-5 hours if you plan to hike the Shililanglang trail or combine it with the Nine Creeks hike. Most visitors find 2-3 hours to be the sweet spot.
What is the best time to visit Longjing Village?
Spring (late March to mid-April) for the tea harvest season, or autumn (September to October) for hiking. Visit on a weekday morning (08:30-11:00) for the best light and fewest crowds. Avoid weekends entirely.
How do I get to Longjing Village from Hangzhou city center?
Take Bus 27 or 87 from central Hangzhou to "Longjing Village" or "Longjing Tea Room" stop. From West Lake core area, a DiDi costs 30-45 yuan and takes 25-35 minutes. Show the driver these Chinese characters: 龙井村.
Is English available in Longjing Village?
Very limited. About 90% of vendors and tea house staff do not speak English, and there are few English signs. Download a translation app (Pleco, Google Translate, or Baidu Translate) before you arrive.
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