Tracing tea culture

It is not difficult to see the evidence of tea culture when traveling through the city. A lot of must-see places in and around the city have been either production areas for fine tea and high-quality mountain spring water or places where legendary figures have stayed for tea.

Hangzhou has always been a famous haunt for intellectuals and poets. According to local tales, the best of ancient poets, Bai Juyi in Tang Dynasty and Su Shi in Song Dynasty, stayed in the city's temples, where they talked with established monks about Buddhism while drinking tea.

The places they stayed became famous, both for the scenery and for the writings left there.

Near an old dragon well, there are still inscriptions said to be left by Su Shi. The poet stayed in Hangzhou for years. There he created many of his most beautiful verses, invented a dish of stewed cubic marbled pork that was named after him and made friends with a Buddhist master.

Tea is also central to Hangzhou cuisine, as exemplified by the dish Stir Fried Shrimp with Longjing Tea.

Source: China Daily

Editor: MetalAllen