After visiting Anji 8 times, I finally secured my own tea garden for a free tea-picking experience

Just a 1-hour drive from Hangzhou, Anji has become my most frequently visited destination. Spring is the best time to visit Anji, with its tea mountains, fresh air, and the perfect season for white tea picking.

My friends and I discovered a new way to enjoy a spring day trip. Here's our recommended itinerary 👇

👣｜Itinerary
Depart from Hangzhou 👉 Lunch in Anji County 👉 Anji Fresh White Tea drinks 👉 Xunmeng Peach Blossom Valley 👉 Tea picking on the mountain 👉 Tea frying experience 👉 Jingqi Valley Park

🍃｜What to do
✔️ Anji Fresh White Tea drinks
A must-try in Anji, this is a local milk tea brand. Made with white tea and fresh milk, it's refreshingly sweet. You can grab a cup while having lunch in the county and check in at the "Anji" landmark.

✔️ Xunmeng Peach Blossom Valley
After lunch, navigate to Xunmeng Peach Blossom Valley, where you'll gather to head to the tea mountain. A shuttle bus takes you up the mountain, 💰168/person for a 1-hour experience. You can fry your own tea to take home, and pick as much as you want. Children under 1.5m are free‼️

✔️ White Tea Mountain
📅 Tea picking available from April 1 to October 7
This is a very private tea mountain with no other tourists, perfect for taking photos. It features colorful balloon houses like those in "Coco," and a traditional Chinese pavilion for a relaxing tea experience. There's also a row of cherry blossom trees nearby.

✔️ Tea frying experience
After picking, a professional will teach you how to fry tea. Put on a bamboo hat and apron to become a tea maker. The fresh aroma of white tea is refreshing and captures the essence of spring.

✔️ Jingqi Valley Park
Families with children can visit the nearby Jingqi Valley Park, a free non-motorized playground. With slides, ant mazes, and cloud trampolines, it's perfect for kids to burn off energy.

🏨｜Accommodation
Consider staying at the Spring Breeze Villa in Xunmeng Peach Blossom Valley. This standalone villa has 3 rooms, ideal for several families traveling together. Staying here includes the tea picking and frying experience, making it great value.