A Two-Day Leisure and Wellness Getaway in Hangzhou's Longwu
1. Longwu Tea Village, Xihu District, Hangzhou
Longwu Tea Village, Longwu Town, Xihu District, Hangzhou
Self-driving is the most convenient way to get here. There are also minibuses from Zhuantang to Longwu Village, but they run infrequently and involve long waiting times.
Parking: There is a free car park at Shangchengdai Village with plenty of spaces.
Parking spots can also be found nearby; most guesthouses have their own car parks, and you can park for free while dining.
Lush green terraced tea gardens stretch before your eyes, covering the undulating hilltops—hundreds, even thousands of acres of spectacular scenery.
The air in Longwu Tea Village is fresh, and the green landscape makes you fall in love with this peaceful settlement.
As dusk falls and twilight deepens, wisps of cooking smoke rise from the quiet village.
The sky changes with the passing of time, over distant hills, fields, and the hamlet.
Villagers return home at sunset, and the tea village, free from urban noise, exudes a serene and unique charm.
Terraced tea gardens like this everywhere
A fresh look for Longwu Tea Village
A small stream gurgles through the settlement
Nearby hills and a captivating sunset
2. Guangming Temple Reservoir
Guangming Temple Reservoir is not large and lies just outside Longwu Village.
Self-driving is most convenient, or you can stay at a guesthouse so you can stroll here in the early morning or at dusk.
Tips: Swimming and paddling in the reservoir are prohibited; safety first in summer.
Even though summer heat is intense, the blue sky makes the emerald water even more striking, giving it the air of a "mini Jiuzhaigou."
The surrounding tea terraces are lush and layered, looking much prettier than during my last visit.
After spring tea picking, the bushes get pruned—these new shoots are summer tea, ready to harvest.
Rolling tea gardens form the sloping basin
Distant hills all draped in verdant tea groves
The green hues are a feast for the eyes
A small path leads to a pavilion opposite, offering a perfect view.
The undulating tea terraces are brilliantly green, a sea of emerald.
The surroundings are quite pristine; the valley curves in a green arc, endlessly beautiful.
Throw a stone into the jade water and watch ripples spread,
bringing motion to the stillness of the lake.
The reservoir is small but its water is so clear,
sparkling blue like a gem.
3. Yuanshu Guesthouse
Location: No. 11, Gouduozi, Longwu Tea Village, Zhuantang Subdistrict
Transport: Self-driving is most convenient.
Parking: Right opposite the entrance is a free car park with plenty of spaces.
Service: The front desk is friendly, and the housekeeping aunties are courteous and efficient.
Nowadays guesthouses themselves have become a highlight of the landscape.
They often enjoy privileged locations, with private courtyards.
The courtyard stretches deep and serene; everywhere you look are tea terraces.
Many trees, flowers, and plants decorate the yard,
and there's plenty of outdoor space.
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Rooms are well equipped; one wall features a large bookcase and there's a piano.
Colourful light fixtures, private rooms with mahjong tables—
it's a guesthouse where East meets West.
The outdoor areas are the most appealing: elegantly arranged spaces,
lovely dining nooks, ideal for tea and conversation or sipping wine under the moon.
The guesthouse focuses mainly on food; it has over twenty rooms across a three-storey independent building.
Though the facilities aren't brand new, the kitchen is thriving,
and overall cleanliness is good.
Weekends are always fully booked, so reserve in advance.
Breakfast is from 8 to 9 a.m.—just congee, boiled eggs, steamed buns, and pickles, all complimentary.
You can order meals to suit any craving. The dining area is simply decorated, but the air-conditioning is strong.
Bookcases like this invite you to while away an afternoon in peace
Space outside the piano room
A privileged location, a private courtyard deep and secluded,
tea terraces as far as the eye can see.
Many trees, flowers, and plants grace the courtyard, offering lots of outdoor room.
At dusk, twilight gathers, and smoke curls up from the quiet tea village.
The sky shifts over distant hills, fields, and hamlet.
Villagers return at sunset; the silent tea village, removed from city bustle, is uniquely charming.
It's been ages since I've experienced such profound stillness at night.
No heavy traffic in this countryside, no noise—
only tea farmers heading out early to pick among the terraces, and birdsong.
Outdoor seating that's cosy and warm
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Room types: There are twin rooms, double rooms, family rooms,
some with balconies—plenty of choice.
I stayed in a twin room without a balcony. The room was a bit small,
but the heart-stirring view of the tea garden outside the window lifted my spirits.
Each room has an en-suite bathroom; though compact, it's very clean.
The shower comes with Lux shampoo and body wash that left my hair smooth, with plenty of hot water but slightly low pressure.
There's a TV cabinet; inside the drawers you'll find towels, bath towels, and slippers.
Beds are iron-framed singles; the mattress is a little firm,
but bedding is neat and tidy, with two soft pillows each.
Only two guest rooms on the third floor, the rest are private dining rooms, so soundproofing is good.
4. Xishan Forest Park
Self-driving is easiest; there are public buses but they run seldom.
Parking is available, and you can even fill bottles with mountain spring water.
PS: It's a great summer escape but do guard against mosquitoes—
the mountain mosquitoes leave huge, itchy welts.
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Xishan Forest Park lies near Longwu Tea Village.
Hillsides are covered with rolling tea gardens, lush and heart-stirringly green.
You've reached the entrance when you see a large teapot sculpture.
The surrounding environment is lovely, with plenty of guesthouses and eateries.
Longwu Tea Village itself is a feast of green tea gardens.
The village also keeps a traditional craft: bamboo weaving.
Villagers set up stalls near the park entrance to sell bamboo baskets,
plus free-range eggs and other farm produce.
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Once at the foot of the hill, cool breezes greet you, and bamboo groves shade the sky in vivid green.
There's a clean restroom at the entrance
and a forest fire station where guardians protect the woods.
Soon after entering, you'll see abundant spring water with pipes to fill from;
I've seen many locals collecting a week's supply.
It's good exercise and high-quality water.
The park is free, and there are signposts along the way.
You can hike up, though it's quite a distance.
All along the path, emerald bamboo rustles gently,
the air fresh and crisp.
A pavilion halfway up the hill
Wooded hills far from the city, under blue sky and white clouds, still relatively cool.
5. Xiaobianzi Noodle House
Highly recommended noodle shop in Zhuantang.
Xiaobianzi Noodle House.
The owner's own courtyard, with sunflowers ripening by the gate and many succulents planted outdoors.
Tables and benches are rustic, made from logs—they might wobble a bit when you sit, hehe,
but that does nothing to dampen a foodie's mood.
Prices are affordable, portions generous.
Yellow croaker noodles 20 yuan, pork kidney noodles 27 yuan; pay by scanning the QR code yourself.
【Stir-fried Pork Kidney with Noodles】:
In summer, mixed dry noodles are delicious and not too hot; served with soup to cut the grease and refresh the palate.
Portions are huge: kidneys cut into irregular chunks, quick-fried till fragrant,
tantalising in colour, with caramelised onion and fresh green scallions—utterly tempting, a feast for the senses.
The noodles are thin, mixed well with the kidneys, springy and chewy.
One bowl will ignite your appetite—well worth the trip all the way to Zhuantang.
The kidneys are fresh, crisp, tender, and aromatic; the cooking skill is undeniable.
Address: No. 10, Changdai Road South
Self-driving is most convenient; GPS will get you right there.
A three-storey house in the village, parking in the yard. Open from noon to 2 p.m., and again from 5:30 p.m. in the evening.
The owner is easy to recognise with a little topknot on his head—quite distinctive.
Sunflowers by the gate
【Yellow Croaker Noodles】:
The yellow croaker noodle soup comes with three small yellow croakers, decent-sized and really fresh,
plus pickled greens, mushroom slices, and scallion segments in a deliciously tasty broth.
Noodles are firm and chewy, just the right texture.
Log tables and benches
A rustic setting
The signboard at the front door
Flowers and plants in the courtyard
