陆羽泉公园 Travel Guide! Take Dreamy Hanfu Photos and Experience Tang Dynasty Tea Brewing to Discover the Tea Saint
Known as 'Paradise on Earth' since ancient times, 杭州 has it all—mountains, springs, lakes, bridges, pagodas, and temples—and its scenery only gets more colorful as time goes by. Along the shores of 西湖, there is no absolute boundary between the city and the parks; lush vegetation blends with various shops, which is exactly what makes 杭州 interesting—everywhere is enveloped by nature’s greenery, yet without the sense of emptiness of being far from the city.
西湖 Longjing tea is a symbol of 杭州. In 龙井村, the tea gardens stay green all year round, and countless visitors come to take photos every year. But have you heard of 径山? Jay Chou’s song 'Grandpa’s Tea' mentions 陆羽, and you can meet him right here. Today we come to 陆羽泉, located in 径山镇, 余杭区, 杭州, across the stream from the number one rafting spot in 江南—双溪竹海漂流. Come and discover the fun new ways to explore!
As is the way of modern travelers, arriving at a place means you must take photos for social media. Here, you can rent 汉服 and let yourself time-travel. 汉服, centered around the ritual culture of China, evolved naturally into traditional clothing and accessories with a unique Han ethnic style, clearly distinct from other ethnic groups. Wearing something so different from your everyday clothes lets you discover a different you.
There are many more options for women than men, with a rainbow of colors and a variety of styles to choose from. While strolling around, you’ll often spot both kids and adults dressed in 汉服.
Children in 汉服 recite tea-themed three-character classics, fostering an early appreciation so they can better carry on the 汉服 culture as they grow up.
Inside the park, clear streams flow into azure ponds, winding bridges lead to pavilions, cobblestone paths meander, and lawns and tea seedlings thrive. It’s a landscaped sanctuary of tea culture. Dressed in 汉服 while sipping tea, playing ancient musical instruments with a few friends in the courtyard—just for a moment, you’ll feel transported back in time.
陆羽古泉 lies within the garden. It’s where 陆羽, the Tea Saint of the 唐代, lived in seclusion at 双溪 and drew water to brew tea while writing the world’s first tea monograph, 《茶经》. Today, you can experience the entire tea-brewing process here and make a cup of tea that’s all your own.
陆羽泉公园 presents both Tang Dynasty tea brewing (唐煮茶) and Song Dynasty tea whisking (宋点茶) on stage, recreating the exquisite utensils and steps used by ancient people. It showcases the depth and richness of Chinese tea culture and its living heritage. Anyone interested can join in and try it themselves.
First, the tea cake must be ground into powder and set aside, then the water is boiled. Superior water is placed in a cauldron and brought to a boil over charcoal. But it must not reach a full boil—at that point, the tea powder is added. As tea and water blend, at the second boil a foam appears: the fine foam is called 'mo,' the larger bubbles 'bo,' both the essence of the tea. This foam is scooped out and kept in a vessel for later use.
Continue boiling, and the tea and water meld further, rolling and surging—this is the third boil. Now, pour the reserved foam from the second boil back over the tea, measuring precisely according to the number of people. Once the tea is ready, it is poured evenly into each cup, signifying an equal share for all, and shared joy and hardship.
The teacher told me many tea-brewing methods—too many to remember at once—and it truly calms the mind, this kind of hands-on craft.
China is the homeland of tea. As early as 5,000 years ago, tea was discovered and used here. Later it spread to other countries and eventually worldwide; now tea is grown in over fifty countries.
The exquisite tea utensils are like one’s attire—only upon close inspection do you see the craftsmanship’s subtlety. Every step of tea brewing requires patience, and the final teaware is the ultimate distillation. Through hands-on experience, you gain an extra layer of understanding.
Sip the tea while it’s hot and taste its flavor; in it, you can savor different reflections on life.
The showcase hall and the stele corridor featuring 《茶经》, a masterpiece of classical Chinese culture, are a feast for the eyes. There are also many other lovely spots to visit and relax, such as 苕溪草堂, 鸿渐阁, 第一壶, and 陆羽茶庄. In the museum, you can learn even more about tea culture and history.
陆羽's 《茶经》 is the crystallization of the ancient tea masters’ spirit of diligent study, hard work, dedicated inquiry, and perseverance. Serving tea to guests, substituting tea for wine—'even a cup of plain tea can intoxicate'—reflects the Chinese people's appreciation of labor and their diligence and frugality.
It was largely after his death that 陆羽 came to be revered as the 'Tea Saint' or a tea expert. During his lifetime, despite his love for tea, his expertise, and the fame of 《茶经》, which earned him the playful nickname 'Tea Immortal', he was admired more as a literary figure than a tea master. This was because, although tea had become a field of study after the publication of 《茶经》, it was still in its infancy and could not compare to the ancient literary tradition in influence and status.
Inside, you can see him depicted in all sorts of working postures, wholly devoted to tea craft, sharing a lifetime of experience in his book for posterity—a truly dedicated artist!
点茶 is a method of brewing tea from the 唐代 and 宋代. It is the foundation of tea art, so its origins date back no later than the Five Dynasties. It is one of the ancient ways of preparing tea.
点茶 was the mainstream way of drinking tea during the Song Dynasty and is representative of ancient Chinese tea art. It spread to Japan, Korea, and the Korean Peninsula, greatly influencing Japanese matcha and Korean tea ceremonies. Making a cup of tea with your own hands and writing on the froth is truly a craft.
Drinking tea is a ritual. Creating a cup of tea from scratch gives a great sense of accomplishment. 陆羽泉 offers a wide range of visitor experiences, so there’s something for everyone.
There are also some fun little games to boost your athletic side. Pitch-pot (投壶) tests your aim; if you’ve played basketball before, it’s just like shooting hoops. Master the technique, and getting the arrow into the pot is a breeze.
In the courtyard, there’s a thatched hut that makes you feel even more immersed in ancient times.
Everywhere in the park is a perfect backdrop for 汉服 photos. Girls who love taking pictures could easily spend half a day and still not have enough time. The best time for photos is between 4 and 5 p.m., when the light is soft and the temperature is just right.
Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. The lanterns have riddles on them—time to test your wits.
As night falls, the courtyard lights come on.
In the evening, there’s a hands-on activity: you can make your own festive lantern using materials provided.
The lantern is a traditional Han folk craft that originated in China. In ancient times, it served mainly as a light source: the outer skin was made of paper or silk, the frame usually of bamboo or wood, with a candle or bulb inside, becoming a tool for illumination.
Influenced by Han culture, lanterns are a common sight in temples across many Asian Chinese communities. On the Mid-Autumn Festival, when the moon is roundest and brightest, making your own lantern becomes especially meaningful.
Light the finished lanterns and gently set them afloat on the water, bringing the evening to a perfect close.
陆羽泉 offers 汉服 rental and an immersive park experience with authentic Tang-style makeup and hairstyles. They provide Tang Dynasty tea brewing experiences, allow you to drink 陆羽 spring water and taste 径山 tea, and conduct educational workshops on tea ceremony, calligraphy, and traditional flower arrangement, enriching the tea culture experience in the greater 径山 area. The specific prices for these activities are as follows: 唐制汉服 rental: 99 yuan; 唐制汉服 + styling: 399 yuan; 唐制汉服 + styling + photoshoot: 999 yuan. Tang Dynasty tea brewing (唐代煮茶): 99 yuan; Song Dynasty tea whisking (宋代点茶): 68 yuan; round fan making (团扇制作): 20 yuan; flower poetry game (飞花令): 10 yuan; pitch-pot (投壶): 10 yuan; decorative hairpin (花细): 10 yuan; 'passport' document (通关文牒): 20 yuan.
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