West Lake Longjing (green tea) or Jiuqu Hongmei (black tea)

A trip to Xihu District is incomplete if you don’t take a sip of West Lake Longjing (green tea) or Jiuqu Hongmei (black tea). The former is the city’s signature and one of the top ten teas in China, known for its distinctive aroma and flavor. Some 130 hectares of hills at Longwu Tea Village are well preserved by the government to grow high-quality Longjing. The latter is also famed for its cultural significance and excellent quality, and Dawu Hill is where to find the best. Isn’t it lovely to have some dim sum to go with the tea? Mr. Yang’s handmade gorgon euryale seed cake at Xixi Wetland is sure to be an unmistakable option. Inspired by the royal delicacy Eight Treasure Cake in the Qing Dynasty 150 years ago, it tastes soft, chewy, and lightly sweetened. In July 2023, the Yang family’s technique for making this cake was inscribed on the list of intangible cultural heritage.