Great Green Tea: Half from West Lake, Half from Thousand Island Lake

 When people think of China’s finest green tea, they picture West Lake in Hangzhou—the villages of Longjing and Meijiawu, Emperor Qianlong’s legendary “Eighteen Imperial Tea Bushes,” and a cup of flat, jade-green leaves releasing delicate chestnut notes.

And they’re not wrong. West Lake Longjing is indeed one of China’s most iconic teas.

But few know that 150 kilometers southwest of Hangzhou, amid the emerald waters of Thousand Island Lake, lies another chapter of tea history—one far older, equally profound, and unjustly overlooked.

Here, during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), tribute tea known as Jiukeng Maojian was sent to the imperial court. Lu Yu, the Sage of Tea, recorded its origin in his Classic of Tea (Cha Jing). Centuries later, seeds from this very land would travel to Japan, Kenya, and beyond, shaping green tea across continents. Today, protected as a Class-I national water source, this region bans chemical pesticides entirely—yielding tea of unmatched purity and freshness.

Truly great green tea has two souls.

Half from West Lake. Half from Thousand Island Lake.

West Lake: The Glory of Recent Centuries

West Lake Longjing’s fame is a story of culture meeting imperial endorsement.

Though legends trace it back to the Song Dynasty, it only rose to prominence in the Qing Dynasty (17th–20th century). Emperor Kangxi first praised it; Emperor Qianlong made it immortal—visiting four times and designating “Eighteen Imperial Tea Bushes.” By the Republican era, it was firmly among China’s top teas. In 2001, it became one of China’s first Protected Geographical Indication (GI) products.

Today, the West Lake Zone covers just 168 square kilometers, producing less than 10% of all Longjing. It represents refinement: hand-polished leaves, urban heritage, and scarcity.

Yet its history spans barely 300 years.

Deep Dive: The signature flat shape of West Lake Longjing didn’t solidify until the late Qing and early Republican periods. Before that, Hangzhou teas were mostly steamed or loose-leaf—very different from today’s pan-fired style. In other words, West Lake Longjing’s “tradition” is, in fact, a modern tradition.

Thousand Island Lake: A Thousand-Year Legacy

Meanwhile, the shores of Thousand Island Lake—in Chun’an County—have grown tea since Han times, flourishing by the Tang Dynasty.

Then called Muzhou, this region supplied tribute tea to the Tang court. The New Book of Tang explicitly lists “Jiukeng tea” among Muzhou’s annual tributes. Lu Yu noted its quality in the Classic of Tea. At that time, “Longjing” was merely the name of a spring—the tea itself didn’t exist yet.

Jiukeng is more than a tea—it’s a living genetic reservoir. The national cultivar “Jiukeng Zhong” (China Tea #27) originates here. Hardy, aromatic, and versatile, it was exported globally in the 20th century, becoming a parent stock for teas in Japan, Kenya, Malawi, and beyond. Some experts say: “Half the world’s green tea traces back to Jiukeng.”

In 1959, the Xin’an River Dam created Thousand Island Lake, submerging old Jiukeng village. But tea survived—replanted on misty highlands around the lake. Because the entire area is a Class-I Drinking Water Source, chemical pesticides are banned. The result? One of China’s purest, most ecologically sound tea regions.

Tea gardens by Thousand Island Lake

Deep Dive: Research from the Tea Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences confirms that Longjing No. 43—the dominant cultivar in West Lake—carries significant genetic markers from Jiukeng populations. Even “authentic” West Lake Longjing owes part of its flavor DNA to Thousand Island Lake.

Deep Dive: As a protected watershed, Chun’an enforces strict organic practices. In 2023, 100% of its tea samples passed national safety tests, with average pesticide residues at just 1/10 of the legal limit—often undetectable.

This isn’t “second-best.” It’s a different kind of excellence—rooted in time, ecology, and truth.

Both Are Hangzhou. Both Are Longjing.

Crucially, both West Lake and Thousand Island Lake fall under Hangzhou City and are recognized in Zhejiang Province’s official Longjing Tea Production System:

West Lake Zone: GI-protected core (≤10% of output)

Qiantang Zone: Greater Hangzhou—including Yuhang, Fuyang, Lin’an, Tonglu, and Chun’an (Thousand Island Lake) (≈30% of output)

Our tea comes from Chun’an’s high-altitude gardens. Made from Longjing No. 43 or native Jiukeng bushes, processed with traditional pan-firing and polishing, it may be slightly less flat—but offers higher umami, brighter aroma, and longer sweetness.

Deep Dive: Studies from Zhejiang University show that high-elevation teas from Thousand Island Lake contain 12% more theanine (the amino acid responsible for umami and sweetness) than comparable West Lake samples—explaining their renowned “fresh-as-chicken-soup” character.

Jiukeng Maojian – A Historic Tribute Green Tea from Tang Dynasty China

This isn’t compromise. It’s clarity.

True Confidence Lies in Diversity

Today, the market is flooded with “West Lake Longjing”—much of it mislabeled, some from outside Zhejiang entirely. This erodes trust and silences voices like Chun’an’s.

We choose honesty: Hangzhou Longjing, Qiantang Zone, Thousand Island Lake.

Because real cultural confidence isn’t about monopolizing a name—it’s about honoring every terroir’s story.

West Lake offers elegance. Thousand Island Lake offers depth.

One reflects recent glory. The other carries ancient roots.

Together, they form the full soul of Hangzhou green tea.

Deep Dive: Global specialty markets are shifting—from chasing single-origin fame to celebrating terroir diversity. Just as wine lovers now seek out Jura or Sicily alongside Bordeaux, and coffee connoisseurs explore Guji or Yirgacheffe beyond Blue Mountain, discerning tea drinkers want to know: Which mountain? Which watershed? Which seed?

In this new era, Thousand Island Lake’s ecological narrative, Jiukeng’s genetic legacy, and its Tang Dynasty pedigree form one of China’s most resonant tea stories for the world.

WestLakeLongjing

Closing Thought

Next time you sip Longjing, consider this:

Your cup might come from a stone path beside West Lake—or from a misty slope above Thousand Island Lake.

One is famous. The other is foundational.

One shines brightly. The other runs deep.

But both belong to Hangzhou. To spring. To China’s enduring pursuit of xian (鲜)—that elusive, life-giving freshness.

Great green tea?

Half from West Lake. Half from Thousand Island Lake.

And the richest way to taste it

is to open both windows—

one to splendor, one to a thousand years.

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“Thousand Island Lake” refers specifically to Qiandao Lake in Chun’an County, Zhejiang Province, not other locations with similar names.

Jiukeng Maojian is a Zhejiang Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Hangzhou Longjing (Qiantang Zone) is legally authorized to use the “Longjing Tea” Certification Mark under GB/T 18650.