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Tea pickers harvest "Jiaming No 1" tea. [Photo/Tide News]

As spring arrives, the historic water town of Shaoxing in Zhejiang province welcomes the start of its tea harvest season.

In the Muzha Tea Plantation, Keqiao district, tea pickers are already harvesting "Jiaming No 1" — also known as Wuniuzao — to produce the first batch of Longjing tea for 2025. This marks the district's first tea garden this year to officially open.

According to the Keqiao agriculture and rural affairs bureau, the much-anticipated Pingshui Rizhu spring tea, a product under China's national geographical indication protection, will be harvested around March 17. Favorable weather conditions this winter have led to well-developed tea buds, promising a higher-quality crop this year.

To promote tea culture and rural tourism, Keqiao has launched the "tea & travel" route, combining scenic landscapes with enriching tea experiences. The tour highlights the rich heritage of Rizhu tea and the natural beauty of Keqiao's tea-producing region.

Tea mountains in Keqiao district. [Photo/Tide News]

Key stops along the "tea & travel" route

Suosi Bridge: The starting point of Rizhu Ridge, this ancient bridge has witnessed centuries of tea trade and echoes the long history of Rizhu tea.

Rizhu Ridge: Named after legendary swordsmith Ou Yezi, this 2,000-meter trail was once a vital link in the Tang Poetry Road and a trade route for tea and mountain products.

Yucha Bay: Once an exclusive site for imperial tea production, this mist-shrouded valley now grows high-quality Pingshui Rizhu tea and features tea pavilions for visitors.

Wanghuacha village: A traditional tea-making hub where techniques for Pingshui Pearl Tea and Rizhu Tea have been passed down for generations. The village also boasts historical landmarks like Rizhu Temple and Dashun Temple.

Yue Tea Museum: A four-star rural museum in Zhejiang, housing over 500 artifacts. The museum uses multimedia displays to showcase Shaoxing's tea history, including a Rizhu tea packaging workshop and tasting room.

Pingshui Rizhu Tea Plantation: The core production area for Rizhu tea, surrounded by lush mountains and featuring a scenic cycling trail. The nearby thousand-year-old Pingyang Temple adds cultural charm to this eco-tourism hotspot.

This March, Keqiao invites visitors to discover spring's first sip of freshness in the fragrant hills of eastern Zhejiang.