For a lifelong tea connoisseur like myself, Darcy's one-day itinerary was nothing short of a personalized odyssey. Our adventure began with an exclusive private West Lake rowing boat cruise, where she regaled us with stories about how the lake's ethereal mists contribute to the growth of Longjing tea. As we drifted past banks lined with willows, the scenic beauty only added to the allure of her tales. Next, at Meijiawu Tea Plantation and Longjing Village, Darcy led us to ancient tea bushes, imparting insider knowledge on identifying "lion’s head" leaves and explaining the subtleties of terroir often overlooked by guidebooks. The visit to the China National Tea Museum became truly special thanks to her expert commentary on antique teapots. Darcy transformed a simple day of sightseeing into an immersive exploration of tea culture.

Reviewed to: Discover Natural Beauty with Day Trips from Shanghai to Hangzhou: Tea Fields & West Lake