Zhejiang Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea Ceremony
West Lake, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province
Longjing (龙井) — Dragon Well green tea from Hangzhou's West Lake area — is China's most celebrated green tea. The top-grade ming qian (pre-Qingming) leaves are hand-fired in a wok over low heat using a distinctive pressing-flattening motion that creates the characteristic flat leaf shape. The brewing ceremony (gongfu cha adapted for green tea) emphasises low water temperature and short steeping.