Kaihua is the hometown of the famous Longding tea leaves in China, which have been exported to more than 40 countries and regions. [Photo/qz123.com]

Kaihua is the hometown of the famous Longding tea leaves in China, which have been exported to more than 40 countries and regions.

The tea plantations in Kaihua cover more than 8,000 hectares, and over 100,000 Kaihua locals are engaged in tea leaf-related businesses.

Now is the best time for Kaihua tea. The following plantations come highly recommended.

Zhongshantang Tea Plantation

Zhongshantang Tea Plantation covers an area of 120,000 mu (8,000 hectares). Here, visitors can pick their own tea leaves, load them into bamboo baskets which are carried on their backs, and then drink some homemade tea while enjoying the stunning views.

Dalongshan Mountain

Dalongshan Mountain is the birthplace of Longding tea leaves in Kaihua. Dalongshan-grown tea leaves are greener, have a stronger fragrance, and are more nutritional than tea leaves grown in other areas.

Dalongshan's tea leaves used to be given as tribute to emperors, and even today, local residents treat honored guests with the tea leaves.

Yuxi Royal Tea Plantation

This tea plantation is a tea culture exhibition base highlighting tea planting, production and tourism. It is home to the first music tea garden in China, meaning light music plays in the background.

Yilongfang Kaihua Longding Tea Culture Garden

This tea culture garden features Anhui-style architecture decorated with creative tea sets and tea-related wall paintings.

Visitors can pick tea leaves, learn to how to stir fry them, and then taste the tea brewed with their freshly-fried leaves.