Spring in Hangzhou offers its residents and visitors the best time to enjoy Jiangnan's reputed "misty March landscape", and even a stroll through the city's lush greenery can trigger the fondest memories at this time of year. So meandering along the Longjing Tea Plantation and enjoying the flowers at Prince Bay Park during one of Hangzhou's most colorful and blooming seasons should be at the top of your sightseeing list.
A Date with Tea
Hangzhou produces not only fine green tea, but also high-quality black tea varieties. Tea is an integral part of any leisurely holiday in Hangzhou, and its lingering fragrance, along with its fresher-than-fresh taste, is truly known for springing to life after the first spring rains.
A Walk in Longjing Tea Plantation
Inquiring About Tea at Dragon Well (Longjing) is one of the New Top Ten Scenes of West Lake and it is, here, in Longjing Village that you can see the 18 tea trees planted by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1711-1799) and enjoy the best Longjing Tea in China. If you want to stay in a farmer's house and bask in the spring sunshine while sipping authentic Longjing tea, the unassuming Meijiawu Village will certainly refresh you with its picturesque scenery and laid-back atmosphere.
Sipping a Cup of Longjing Tea
Enjoying a cup of tea in Hangzhou's tea village is a tasteful experience, and your stay in Hangzhou can be further enriched by the intriguing and mouth-watering dishes at restaurants like Yin Ma Ju and Yi Jiang Chun Shui. You can also sample Tian Xia Liang Cang at Qipanshan for a taste of Hangzhou’s farmhouse restaurants and their unique culinary features.
A Stroll through a Sea of Colorful Blossoms.
After a full winter of hibernation, the city of Hangzhou has come to life with color - all of which must be witnessed and explored firsthand. The floral beauty of this remarkable city can be experienced in various places, such as Prince Bay Park, Solitary Hill, Xixi National Wetland Park, Su Causeway and Bai Causeway, Viewing Fish at Flowery Pond, Hangzhou Botanical Garden, Eight-Diagram Field and Yuquan Road.
Prince Bay Park
Prince's Bay Park, home to a dazzling array of tulips, peaches and cherry blossoms, ranks second to none as a flower destination. On entering the park, you will be pleasantly greeted by a sea of cherry and tulip blossoms in spring, and may even catch the newlyweds posing for pictures at one of their favorite spots.
Two Causeways
Su Causeway and Bai Causeway are the two most famous causeways in West Lake. The spring view of the weeping leaves of the willow trees will remind you of an entry in the Book of Songs and the peach flowers planted along the causeways once inspired Cui Hu, a famous poet, to write “the peach blossom are as lovely as a sweetheart’s cheek”.
Hangzhou Flower Nursery
Its Flower Plaza features the themes of "Flowers" and "Water", and offers visitors the opportunity to experience the flower culture and gardening traditions of Hangzhou and China. Incorporating several themed zones for flora and fauna, this park is an ideal weekend getaway for city dwellers.