longjing imperial tea garden
the tea garden is situated at lion peak hill (shifengshan) in longjing village, the birthplace of west lake longjing tea (also known as dragon well tea). it possesses 18 ancient tea trees. according to legend, emperor qianlong of the qing dynasty (1644-1911) designated them exclusively for imperial use. personnel were dispatched to care for them and pick and process their leaves, which were sent back to the capital each year. the common folk therefore called them the “imperial tea trees.”
the garden abounds with historic sites, including the old longjing (dragon well), the song guangfu temple, the song plum trees, nine creeks headwaters (jiuxiyuan), lord hu (hugong) pavilion, biancai pagoda, and lion peak hill (shifengshan). dozens of teahouses are scattered throughout the grounds.
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'nice' to meet you, hangzhou
may 6, 2024