What Is Xihu Longjing?
Xihu Longjing, also known as West Lake Longjing or West Lake Dragon Well tea, is a premium green tea produced in the hills surrounding West Lake in Hangzhou.
It is traditionally celebrated for four characteristics:
- Emerald-green colour
- Delicate fragrance
- Fresh, sweet taste
- Flat and elegant leaf shape
Widely regarded as the foremost of China’s Ten Famous Teas, Xihu Longjing has been celebrated for centuries. Its name and origin are protected by a strict geographical-indication system, while its traditional craftsmanship forms part of China’s UNESCO-inscribed tea-making heritage. Limited by its small protected origin and brief spring harvest, the finest Xihu Longjing remains exceptionally rare, highly sought after and capable of commanding exceptional prices.
1. Origin: Where Within Xihu Was It Grown?
China officially recognises three Longjing production areas: Qiantang, Yuezhou and Xihu. Xihu is by far the smallest, accounting for only around 2% of the total Longjing tea-growing area. Only tea grown and produced within this protected region may be called Xihu Longjing.
Within Xihu, five traditional areas form the celebrated Level I Core Production Zone:
- Shi — Lion Peak (Lion)
- Long — Longjing (Dragon)
- Yun — Yunqi (Cloud)
- Hu — Hupao (Tiger)
- Mei — Meijiawu (Plum)
Together, they are traditionally known as Shi, Long, Yun, Hu and Mei, with Lion Peak generally regarded as the most prestigious. Tea produced in the remaining recognised parts of Xihu belongs to the Level II Core Production Zone.
Origin is an important indicator of prestige and character, although final quality also depends on harvest time, leaf grade and craftsmanship.
2. Grade: How Is Xihu Longjing Officially Graded?
Under the current Hangzhou standard DB3301/T 1135—2023, Product of Geographical Indication — Xihu Longjing Tea, Xihu Longjing is classified into four official grades:
- Premium
- Superior
- Grade I
- Grade II
Premium is the highest grade, followed by Superior, Grade I and Grade II.
For those seeking the finest expression of Xihu Longjing, Premium and Superior are the grades to consider—particularly for refined tasting and prestigious gifts. Grade I and Grade II are positioned primarily for everyday drinking and larger-volume service.
The standard evaluates both the appearance of the dry leaves and the quality of the brewed tea:
Higher grades feature more tender and uniform leaves, brighter colour, cleaner appearance and a more refined aroma. After brewing, they produce a clearer liquor, a fresher and mellower taste, and more tender, evenly formed infused leaves.
3. Harvest Time: When Was the Tea Picked?
Harvest time is one of the clearest indicators of Xihu Longjing’s style, rarity and price. Earlier harvests produce more tender leaves and best express its fresh, delicate character.
Based on the traditional Chinese solar terms, Xihu Longjing is divided into three harvest periods:
- Pre-Ming Xihu Longjing — harvested before Qingming
- Pre-Yu Xihu Longjing — harvested after Qingming but before Guyu
- Post-Yu Xihu Longjing — harvested after Guyu
Pre-Ming Xihu Longjing
Pre-Ming Xihu Longjing is harvested before the Qingming Festival, usually in late March or early April. Its tender buds produce a light, sweet and refreshing taste, with a delicate floral aroma and very little bitterness.
Its brief harvest window, limited supply and refined character make it especially prized for fine tasting and prestigious gifts.
The very first Pre-Ming harvest is known as First-Pick Pre-Ming Xihu Longjing. Made exclusively from the earliest and most tender buds of spring, it offers an exceptionally fresh and distinctive flavour. Its extremely short picking window and tiny yield make it one of the rarest and most prized expressions of Xihu Longjing.
The Complete Xihu Longjing Quality Spectrum
The quality and prestige of Xihu Longjing are determined by three factors: origin, official grade and harvest time.
A prestigious origin establishes the tea’s heritage, a higher grade reflects finer leaf quality, and an earlier harvest brings greater tenderness, freshness and rarity.
The finest Xihu Longjing combines all three: a renowned core origin, a Premium or Superior grade, and an early Pre-Ming harvest.
Beyond these three core factors, an even rarer selection may come from small-plot gardens within the most prestigious origins. Their extremely limited yields, more uniform growing conditions, dedicated management and highly selective harvesting produce a purer, more distinctive and consistently refined expression of Xihu Longjing.
Our Recommendations:
We have hand-picked a selection of Xihu Longjing teas across different price points and quality levels, whether you are choosing a gift, looking for an everyday tea, or simply trying Xihu Longjing for the first time.
Best for Gifting: the Ceramic 200g gift pack
This beautifully presented gift pack combines excellent tea with an elegant ceramic jar. Its leaves are sourced from the core Xihu Longjing growing areas of Lion Peak, Dragon Well and Meijiawu, offering dependable quality and a well-balanced taste. A refined and practical choice for gifting.
For tea Lover’s:
Explore our selection ranging from Lion First-Pick Premium and Mei First-Pick Premium to Lion Pre-Ming Superior. Each offers a different combination of origin, harvest period, quality grade, pack size and price, allowing tea lovers to choose the one that best suits their preferences.
The Best of the Best: Lion Lotus Heart Reserve
For those seeking the finest expression of Xihu Longjing, choose the Lion Lotus Heart Reserve Gift Pack, available in 20g and 150g sizes. Made entirely from exceptionally rare single buds, it is hand-harvested from selected small-plot gardens at the prestigious Lion Peak and meticulously handcrafted in very limited quantities. A truly exceptional tea for those who refuse to settle for the ordinary.
