If relaxing at a luxurious resort with views of picturesque tea plantations in China sounds good to you, set your sights on the Fuchun Resort in Fuyang. Named China’s Leading Resort by the 2016 World Travel Awards, this deluxe destination offers beauty, relaxation, and excellent afternoon tea for travelers near and far.
Tea Plantations in LongJing Village | Aurélien Coillet via CC 1.0
History
The resort draws inspiration from the 14th century painting “Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains” by Huang Gongwang. Due to a fire, the painting was burned in half in 1650. The first section can be seen in Hangzhou’s Zhejiang Provincial Museum, while the second half can be seen in Taipei’s National Palace Museum. Together, the two sections stretch over 22 feet long.
By Huang Gongwang – Zhejiang Provincial Museum in Hangzhou, Public Domain
Activities
The resort has many appealing features,
including a spa, indoor pool, outdoor Jacuzzis, and tennis courts.
Fuuchun Resort also offers a number of classes in disciplines such as yoga, tai chi, guided mediation, and calligraphy.
Take advantage of the 18-hole golf course, or wander off-site to take a mountain hike or go cycling.
The Tea
Longjing Tea | macchi via CC BY-SA 2.0
The pan-roasted green tea in this region is known as Longjing tea, which translates to dragon well tea. Guests at the Fuchun Resort can go tea-picking with a local expert, or sip a variety of special Chinese teas at the resort’s Lakeside pavilion.
The tea comes from the nearby Longjing Village, containing many tea gardens, the most famous of which is the Longjing Imperial Tea Garden. According to Chinese legends, Qing Emperor Qianlong planted 18 tea trees on this ground. Other tea gardens worth a trip off site include the Meijiawu Tea Village and the Longwu Tea Village.
According to Hangzhou Tea Tours, Longjing tea bears a yellow-ish green color, a strong smell, and rich flavor, often compared to orchids and beans. It arguably China’s most famous tea.
After touring a Hangzhou tea plantation, deepen your tea knowledge by visiting the China National Tea Museum located in Hongzhou. Admission is free to the museum, which also holds conferences and functions as a research hub.
No Comments