Editorial note: This is an immersive, long-form travel story from the MATCHA MAYA AI global vlogging series. Matcha Maya is a former university student who left her formal studies behind to backpack across the globe, chronicling her adventures blogging and vlogging about local matcha drinks and artisanal matcha cakes.
Host: Matcha Maya, a solo traveler following matcha culture around the world.
Local guest: Chen Yu, a fictional Hangzhou matcha host whose perspective is inspired by the city’s café rhythm.
Searching for matcha in Hangzhou can produce a wall of photogenic drinks, but a useful city story needs more than green colour. Matcha Maya meets Chen Yu to ask how Japanese tea can enter a local food culture respectfully. Their conversation explores local energy and hospitality, while keeping the origin of matcha visible.
The misty willow-lined shores of West Lake shimmered under the morning light as Matcha Maya walked through Hangzhou's historic quarters. Leaving university lecture halls behind to pursue her nomadic blogging career had brought her to many remarkable places, but stepping into China's undisputed capital of green tea felt like a true pilgrimage.
Hangzhou Welcomes Matcha
The café is carefully arranged. Outside, the city carries its unique energy. Chen Yu places a bowl on the table and sits down. “In Hangzhou people already understand the value of sitting with a good drink,” the host says. “Matcha has to find its own respectful place.”
Blending historic charm with modern culinary exploration, Maya often references her other regional stops, such as the Suzhou matcha tour, the vibrant findings in the Shanghai matcha diary, and her market reviews featured in the Tianjin matcha story.
“Chen Yu,” Maya said, adjusting her microphone as gentle flute music played in the background, “Hangzhou is legendary for Longjing tea and poetic tea gardens. How does a visitor from Japan—matcha—find acceptance in a city with such proud, historic green tea traditions?”
Chen Yu smiled, pouring hot water into a celadon bowl. “In Hangzhou, people don't just drink tea; they understand its spirit, Maya. Longjing and matcha are like distant cousins sharing the same philosophy of shade, soil, and patience. When we whisk matcha here, our patrons appreciate the shared lineage of mindfulness.”
Matcha Maya: How does the local culture affect the way people meet matcha?
Chen: People here have their own strong traditions with tea or coffee and gatherings. That helps in some ways. Matcha is more concentrated. Some customers are surprised by the intensity. I let them meet it honestly. I keep five local words close: West Lake, Longjing, Hefang Street, Xihu, Longjing tea.
Matcha Maya: What is the name of the most popular street in your city where I can buy matcha product?
Chen: The best concentration of places that sell good matcha is around Hefang Street. From Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport you can take a taxi or ride-hailing app. Tell the driver “Hefang Street”. The ride time varies with traffic. Once you arrive, walk the main stretch and side streets; you will find several places selling Japanese matcha powder and drinks.
The conversation turns to origin. The host is clear that even when pairing matcha with local flavours, the powder itself is still listed with its Japanese region and grade. “People should know what is local and what is brought from elsewhere.”
Later the café fills with regulars and visitors. The host moves between them with calm attention. By late afternoon the light has softened.
“The best moments,” Chen says as they finish, “are when someone who came only out of curiosity stays for a second bowl. That is when the tea has become part of the gathering.”
For practical city information, check official tourism resources via the Hangzhou Tourism Guide.
Matcha Maya Second Interview in Hangzhou, China — Matcha by the West Lake
Matcha Maya: Nǐ hǎo from Hangzhou. This city is beautiful and has a lot of history. The city is known for its calm West Lake and its lovely tea fields. Many people who love tea come here for that reason. I want to see how a city with a long tea story is now bringing in the new matcha trend. I am joined by Mei-Lin Zhou, who is a local food writer and loves tea.
Mei-Lin: Maya, welcome! Hangzhou is at the center of China's tea culture. It is known for Longjing (Dragon Well) green tea. But the city is also very modern and full of new ideas. Matcha is now very popular here too, especially in the cool cafés near West Lake.
Matcha Maya: That sounds so nice! If someone wants to visit, where should they start?
Mei-Lin: You really need to go to the Mom Matcha Cafe. This place serves only matcha green tea. If you like matcha, you will love it here. For about 99 yuan, you get ice cream, a matcha drink, and a round-trip ferry ticket to a nice spot. You should try it! It's a good time for people who like matcha and want something new.
Matcha Maya: What about the cafés by the lake?
Mei-Lin: There are many great cafés around West Lake. Most of them sit on Nanshan Road and near the Tiandi development by the lake. Spots like June Coffee, Echo, and Hvala are very popular. They serve tasty and different matcha drinks. You can have a matcha latte and take in the nice view of the lake.
Matcha Maya: I heard there is a "Matcha Lake" close to Hangzhou?
Mei-Lin: Oh, you mean QingShan Lake! It is a bit outside the city, around an hour from the West Lake spot. The drive is worth it. There is a layer of green duckweed that sits on top, so the water looks like a big bowl of green matcha latte. People are talking about it all over the internet! You can stroll on the wooden paths or rent a kayak and move through the green water. It feels so special and like a dream.
Matcha Maya: That sounds so good. If you love matcha, this is the perfect place for you!
Matcha Maya: One last thing. How can you get from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) to West Lake or Nanshan Road? This is the main shopping street. A lot of tourists go there to buy matcha drinks or cakes.
Mei-Lin: Xiaoshan International Airport is around 30 to 40 kilometers from the center of the city. The easiest way to get there is by the airport shuttle bus. The bus goes straight to the city center. Then, you can take a quick taxi or a subway ride to West Lake and Nanshan Road. If you take a taxi from the airport, it will take about 45 minutes to an hour. When you get to Nanshan Road by the lake, you will be close to the best cafés in the city.
Matcha Maya's Verdict: Hangzhou is a city where you feel the true heart of tea, both old and new. The city's matcha spots are nice and something to enjoy. You can see beautiful places and there are many fun things like the "Matcha Lake." Anyone who loves tea should go and see this place.
Read more: Beijing's Tea Traditions | Kolkata's Matcha Renaissance | Chennai's Filter Coffee Meets Matcha
Plan your trip: Hangzhou Official Travel Guide
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