Dragon Well Tea (Longji) is the most famous tea in China and one of the most sought after in the world. The teas production has a history of over a thousand years and has been enjoyed by many emperors through the centuries.
Dragon Well Village is situated at the base of the mountains near the West Lake. Its name is said to have come from a water well in the village where the residents believed a dragon lived and controlled the rainfall. One of its major attractions is the 18 imperial trees beside the Hugong temple which Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) ordered the planting of. It is said that during a visit to Longji he heard his mother was ill and brought her back some tea which cured her and this gave rise to even more fame for the village's tea.
