National Tea Museum, Hangzhou

The China National Tea Museum is dedicated to the history and culture of tea. It opened in 1991 and was the first museum in the country focused entirely on this subject. The buildings are low and spread across the site, with paths and open spaces between them. This layout makes visits feel relaxed and allows people to move slowly from one exhibition area to another.

The indoor exhibitions explain how tea became part of daily life, trade, and social customs. Visitors learn about major tea types, such as green, black, oolong, white, and dark tea, and the basic steps used to process them. Tools for picking and preparing tea leaves are shown with simple explanations that make the production process easy to follow.

Another part of the museum focuses on tea customs and traditions. Displays explain how tea was prepared and served during different periods, especially the Tang and Song dynasties, using cups, kettles, and trays to show changes in style. Outdoor garden areas with tea bushes help visitors see how tea plants grow, and the clear signs make the exhibits easy to understand.