On March 29, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, skilled artisans from villages across Xihu district gathered for the prestigious 2025 King of West Lake Longjing Tea Competition, their hands dancing rhythmically over scorching woks to hand-roast delicate pre-Qingming tea leaves. The air filled with nutty aromas as competitors vied for the title of Tea King, their centuries-honed techniques transforming fresh leaves into emerald-green treasures synonymous with Hangzhou's cultural identity.

West Lake Longjing tea, ranked among China's Ten Great Teas, whose best quality demands precision harvesting before the Qingming Festival (early April) and masterful roasting at 80 to 230 C. This competition not only honors artisanal traditions but safeguards the intangible heritage behind every fragrant cup savored globally. [Photos/youth.cn]