The National Tea Museum of Hangzhou is the epicenter of knowledge and appreciation for China's favorite beverage. With a long history stretching through multiple centuries and cultures, tea is one of China's greatest treasures. This museum captures its history and the culture surrounding it for enthusiasts of all backgrounds.
Most Important Things To Know For Your Visit
- Chinese: 中国茶叶博物馆 Zhōngguó Cháyè Bówùguǎn /jong-gwo cha-yeah bor-woo-gwann/ 'China Tea-Leaf Museum'
- Area: 2.2 hectares (5.4 acres) — four football pitches
- Popular activities: watching tea ceremonies, sipping various Chinese teas, browsing artful exhibits, learning about tea culture in China
- Must sees: a traditional tea ceremony, the Teaware Hall, the Tea Customs Hall
- Suited to: tea, culture, and history lovers
- Time needed: 1–2 hours
Learn about China's favorite beverage.Highlights You Don't Want To Miss
Surrounded by Beautiful Tea Farms
Hedged in by clusters of tea plantations on all sides, the museum is an excellent place to not only learn about tea but to see it being grown as well. The land surrounding the museum is cultivated to produce some of the best teas from the area. Many tea producing villages can be found in this area and contribute to the beautiful landscape surrounding the museum.
Five Exhibition Halls with Unique Focuses
The museum vividly depicts the evolution of Chinese tea and colorful tea culture over a span of thousands of years.
The Chinese Tea Evolution Hall showcases the production process and evolution of Chinese tea, as well as a variety of domestic and imported tea.
The Teaware Hall depicts the evolution of Chinese teaware through history. View ancient and delicate tea sets and learn about the advancements and particulars of teaware culture.
Tea TastingThe Tea Customs Hall is devoted to bring you a mosaic of tea customs and etiquettes from Yun Yan, Sichuan, Tibet, Fujian and Guang Dong provinces and from the Ming and Qing periods.
Tea Tasting
The exhibition center of the museum is divided into six tea-tasting areas where visitors can taste teas of various flavors while enjoying a traditional tea ceremony. The quintessential buildings against the backdrop of the gardens and tea farms immerse visitors in this strong tea culture.
The Typical Tour
For most visitors, the museum is just one of many stops on a busy day of sight-seeing in Hangzhou. The museum is well organized and makes it easy on travelers to get in, view all it has to offer, and get back on the road in an efficient amount of time. Of course, for those truly enthusiastic tea lovers, there are plenty of quiet places to linger and enjoy the beauty of nature in this tranquil space. A typical visit might look like this:
- Arrive by taxi or by bus
- Enter the museum at no cost
- Enjoy exploring the separate halls and the grounds in whatever order interests you
- Attend a Tea Ceremony
- Explore the surrounding plantations
- Stop for souvenirs or lunch
See 1,000s of artifacts and examples of fine teaware.History
The museum was built back in 1991. It was created as China's only museum devoted to tea to preserve the wealth of history and culture surrounding this fabled beverage. The research facilities located within the museum were intended to serve as the foremost authorities on tea research in China.
Best Time To Visit
The most pleasant times for visiting the area around Hangzhou are in the spring and autumn. Spring in Hangzhou lasts from March to May and is typically very mild. It is the perfect time to see peach blossoms as you drive. The autumn lasts from October through November and offers cool temperatures and less humidity.
Facilities
Hangzhou National Tea MuseumFor travelers in need of a bite to eat the attached Green Tea Restaurant offers meals daily. Exhibitions are presented in Chinese and English.
Travel Essentials
- Location: 88 Longjing Road, Xihu
- Transport: Taxi fare from the city center: 20–30 RMB. Bus 27 or tourism bus Y3 go to nearby Shuangfeng station. We offer private transport (see below).
- Hours: Tue.–Sun. 8:30 A.M. – 4:15 P.M. (closed Mondays)
Nearby Attractions
Tour Hangzhou National Tea Museum with China Highlights
- 1-Day Hangzhou Tea Culture & West Lake Tour — Enjoy a day trip to the museum, a tea plantation, and a beautiful West Lake.
- 2-Day Hangzhou Highlights Tour — Explore the historic sites and pick tea at local plantations.
- 5-Day Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Watertown Tour — Enjoy three unique locations and all they have to offer.
- Or plan a Custom Tour with us today to choose your ideal locations to visit.