There are countless teahouses in Hangzhou, and Guanzhi Yinxuan can be called the most distinctive Internet celebrity teahouse. Different from the traditional Chinese teahouse, Guan Zhi Yin Xuan incorporates Japanese elements in both the decoration design and the refreshments, which is quite innovative.
The first Guanzhi was formerly known as a blue brick old house at No. 31 Guangfu Road, and the founder used the unique ancient style of Southern Song Dynasty architecture to create a teahouse that integrates tea and food. The following year, the teahouse was expanded to a single concrete building next to Guanzhi, a three-storey building born out of the design of architect Wang Shu to form the second Guanzhi. The new and old Guanzhi are connected by the outer decoration of the wooden grille, and the "Guanzhi Yinxuan" is now very recognizable.
Guanzhi's tea is collected in the 5 acres of tea plantations contracted by Wengjiashan. Wengjiashan is one of the main production areas of West Lake Longjing tea, the quality of Longjing is superior, and Yangmeiling, Manjuelong, Baihefeng together with the local people called "Stone House Four Mountains" Longjing. The water used by Guanzhi Tea Brewing is Nongfu Spring drinking water, and the national tea technician Kong Yanting is hired to take charge of it, which can provide professional tea brewing services for tea customers.
The Guanzhi tea list covers six major tea categories, and there are one or two classic teas in each tea category. The West Lake Longjing, which can best represent Hangzhou, the originator of Gongfu black tea, Zhengshan Xiaozhong, the phoenix single bush, known as the perfume in tea, the old white tea of Fuding, and the Xiaguan Tuo tea in the 90s, etc., are not many varieties but are streamlined.
Guanzhi Ming Qianlongjing, the price is 188 yuan / cup, brewed by the tea master in person. Guan Zhi brews Longjing in a "standard" glass, allowing tea guests to observe the slow stretching, swimming and changing process of emerald green tea leaves in the water. From warmerware, tea throwing, to shaking incense, the tea master will tell the tea customers about the brewing steps, and let the tea customers smell the aroma and have a good experience. The last step of high-flushing water injection is smooth and skillful, and a simple cup of West Lake Longjing can see the orderly tea brewing process of the tea master, so that the tea guests can feast their eyes. Each of the other types of tea is equipped with the most suitable tea set, which is quite ceremonial and ornamental.
In addition to providing tea, Guanzhi's biggest feature is that it also provides vegetarian, Western and Southern Song Dynasty dishes. Among them, the Southern Song Dynasty series of dishes are based on ancient books, provided by the China Tea Museum and the Southern Song Dynasty Official Kiln Museum, and integrate modern flavors. The exclusive dishes greatly enrich the teahouse's offerings, attracting countless curious diners to come and explore, but the price is not close to the people, and it is only recommended for early adopters.
In addition, Guan Zhi also hired Akiko Kogata, a Japanese confectionery designer from Kanagawa, Japan, to make traditional Japanese tea - Japanese confectionery. There are more than 30 kinds of handmade Japanese sweets and auxiliary tools, all of which are made from Japan. The various flavors of Japanese sweets come in different shapes, and the taste is soft and sweet, so diners who love the flavor of Japanese sweets should not miss it. It is worth noting that ordering a tea will deliver a tea set and fruit platter, but the Japanese confectionery is not included in the tea set and requires a separate order.
Guanzhi drinks tea and eats in different buildings, the old Guanzhi with the house number 31 is only for tea, and the new Guanzhi at No. 29 can be eaten. The two adjacent buildings, backed by the Southern Song Dynasty Royal Street, have a total of 11 private box spaces and two open public spaces. The two buildings of different styles are connected by a corridor. No. 31 is a charming and graceful Jiangnan house, which retains the traditional mortise and tenon structure, and is a traditional courtyard layout of "Four Waters Returning to the Hall": the teahouse is furnished with hand-carved porcelain plate paintings, thangkas from Tibet, old furniture that the owner has a heart to buy, dry landscapes created by designers with ulterior motives, and simple guqins and other treasures, and the whole space is full of ancient charm. No. 29 is a concrete building with sharp corners and an irregular design full of design. Most of the tea masters in Guanzhi are women, with elegant and calm manners, and can patiently explain the tea art and the exquisiteness of making tea to the guests. Due to the popularity of the teahouse, reservations are required for both tea and dining.
