Hangzhou in spring offers its residents and visitors the best time to appreciate the reputed ‘misty March scenery of Jiangnan’ and even a stroll in the lush greenery of the city can, at this time of year, trigger the fondest of memories. So meandering along Longjing Tea Plantation together with enjoying the flowers in Prince Bay Park should be at the top of your sight-seeing list during one of Hangzhou’s most colorful and blossoming seasons.
Hangzhou not only produces fine green tea but also varieties of high quality black tea. Tea is an integral part of any leisurely holiday in Hangzhou and its lingering fragrance together with its fresher than fresh taste is really known come to life after the very first spring rain.
Inquiring About Tea at Dragon Well (Longjing) is one of the New Top 10 Views 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 a cup of authentic Longjing tea, the unassuming Meijiawu Village will be sure to refresh you with its picturesque scenery and laid back atmosphere.
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 mouthwatering 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.
After a whole winter’s hibernation the city of Hangzhou awakens with color - all of which must be witnessed and explored at first hand. The floral beauty of this remarkable city can be experienced in various places, such as the Prince Bay Park, Solitary Hill, Xixi National Wetland Park, Su and Bai Causeway, Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor, Hangzhou Botanical Garden, Eight-diagram Field and Yuquan Road.
Prince Bay Park, home to a wealth of dazzling tulips, peach and cherry blossom, ranks as a flower destination second to none. Upon entering this park, in spring, you will be pleasantly greeted with a sea of cherry and tulip blossom and may even catch newlyweds taking photos in one of their favorite spots.
Su Causeway Bai Causeway are the two most famous causeways of the 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”.
The Flower Plaza in the park features the theme ‘flower’ and ‘water’ and provides visitors with the chance to experience the flower culture and gardening tradition of Hangzhou and China. Incorporating several themed zones of flora and fauna this park is the ideal weekend getaway for city-dwellers.
| Festival | Time |
|---|---|
| Spring Festival Temple Fair in Song Town (宋城新春大庙会) | From the 1st day to the 15th day of the first lunar month |
| Spring Festival Temple Fair at Wu Hill (吴山新春大庙会) | From the 1st day to the 15th day of the first lunar month |
| Spring Festival Celebrations at the Wildlife World (野生动物世界春节活动) | From the 1st day to the 15th day of the first lunar month |
| Hangzhou Lantern Festival (杭州灯展) | On the 15th day of the first lunar month |
| Wild Monkey Festival at Taihu Lake Source (太湖源野猴节) | February 25th - March 25th |
| Visiting Xixi for Plum Blossom (西溪探梅) | March 7th - 12th |
| Hangzhou Prince Bay Tulip Show (杭州太子湾郁金香花展) | About 20 days from late March to late April |
| China West Lake International Tea Culture Expo (中国西湖国际茶文化博览会) | In April |
| Azalea Show at the Botanical Garden (植物园杜鹃花展) | April 10th - May 10th |
| China International Cartoon and Animation Festival (中国国际动漫节) | Later April - early May |