Longjing Tea Rings with Green Tree, Hangzhou

Longjing rings

Centuries of careful cultivation have earned this ancient city its clout as China's 'tea capital.' Here in Hangzhou, layer after labyrinthine layer of verdant shrubbery is terraced along steep hills. Longjing tea plants are harvested early in their growth cycle, then pan-roasted to remove the leaves' water and bring out complex flavors. Local legend says the best cup of Longjing is brewed with a secret ingredient: water from the natural Hupao Spring, located nearby.