City by the lake

Tea plantations

Longjing village is widely believed to be the birthplace of Longjing tea. Crowds descend upon its verdant terraces today. Visitors can also see the 18 tea trees upon which emperor Qianlong is said to have conferred imperial status.

Scenic Meijia Wu village caters to tourists who want more hands-on experiences. They can participate in the process from picking to roasting in a single morning.

Temples

Hangzhou's 1,600-year-old Yongfu Temple looks more like a garden than a Zen monastery.

Monks and locals tend tea fields in its manicured grounds. Visitors to Fuquan Teahouse can hire hosts to give talks about tea and spiritual cultivation while enjoying simple vegetarian food.

The Leifeng Pagoda collapsed in 1924 after years of neglect and wanton theft of its bricks for good luck and protection against snakes. It was rebuilt in 2002. Visitors can view wood carvings depicting Madam White Snake and panoramic views of the city.