Top 10 Tea Houses to Visit in Hangzhou China

If you're chasing the perfect cup of Longjing (Dragon Well) tea in its birthplace, Hangzhou is your holy grail. As a local tea culture enthusiast and independent blogger who’s sipped, compared, and ranked nearly every notable spot, I’ve got the inside scoop on where to go — and where to skip.

Hangzhou isn’t just scenic; it’s a tea lover’s paradise. The city produces some of the world’s finest green tea, especially premium Longjing tea, grown right on the hillsides of West Lake. But with so many tea houses claiming authenticity, how do you pick? I’ve spent months visiting, tasting, and analyzing based on ambiance, tea quality, price transparency, and service.

Here are my top 10 picks — backed by real data, not hype.

Our Top 10 Tea Houses in Hangzhou

As you can see, prices vary widely. But higher cost doesn’t always mean better taste — it often reflects branding or location. For example, Cloudy Seven sources directly from pesticide-free farms, justifying its premium. Meanwhile, Tea O'clock offers a more accessible entry point for tourists and younger crowds.

Pro tip: Visit between March and April for the **plump, first-flush Longjing leaves** — they’re sweeter, less bitter, and packed with antioxidants. According to Zhejiang Agricultural Bureau, early-harvest Longjing contains up to 30% more catechins than late-season batches.

One underrated gem? Meijiawu Tea Village. It's family-run, offers tea-picking tours, and lets you roast your own batch. Plus, their direct-to-consumer model cuts out middlemen — fresher tea, fairer prices.

Skip the overpriced hotel lounges and generic souvenir shops. Authenticity lives in the villages, not the malls.

Final verdict: Whether you’re a connoisseur or a curious traveler, these spots deliver real flavor — and real stories behind every sip.