Organized by the city's tourism committee and the government of the West Lake District, the 28-day event will stage tea ceremonies, performances and rites in accordance with folk customs and traditions in the area.

Since China was one of the earliest tea producers in the world, tea-drinking has a long tradition and is an integral part of the culture of the Chinese people.

Zhejiang Province, of which Hangzhou is the capital, is the center of tea production in China. "West Lake Longjing" tea, drunk by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) as his imperial tea, has long been reputed as the "queen" of green teas of China.

(Zhejiang Online March 17 2003)