Kaolaoshan is located at the southern end of Shanglin Lake in Cixi, Zhejiang Province. It has a relatively high altitude. The mountains are covered with lush trees, and the waterfalls in the mountain streams roar. Every mountain, every water, every stone, and every tree in Kaolaoshan are all the miraculous creations of nature without the slightest trace of artificial chiseling. Just like its name, it is primitive and simple.
The mountain is divided into east and west peaks, and there is a vast expanse of white mist all year round. There is a valley between the two peaks, and the mountain stream at the bottom of the valley is turbulent. This is the Kaolaoxi Stream. On the waterfall ridge in the mountain, there are many wild camellias. Around the Qingming Festival every year, the tender buds emit fragrance. The ancient and famous ‘Xianming Tea’ is produced here. Lu Yu of the Tang Dynasty mentioned in ‘The Classic of Tea’: ‘Tea is produced in Yuezhou, Mingzhou, and Taizhou’, and ‘tea produced in Yuezhou is superior’. Lu Yu also said: ‘In Yuyao County, there is a waterfall spring ridge called Xianming.’ According to ‘Yuyao Liucangzhi’ records: ‘The waterfall ridge is on Kaolaoxi Stream’, which shows that the name ‘Xianming’ is truly worthy of the name. Tasting ‘Xianming Zhucha’, each grain is round and solid, with faint white hairs. Brewing a cup fills the room with fragrance; taking a sip is refreshing. It is truly ‘fragrant like the aroma of nine orchids, round like jasper beads rolling on a plate.’ The strange peaks and dangerous ridges of Kaolaoshan and the clear and beautiful water vapor of Shanglin Lake are truly excellent places for cultivating one’s body and spirit.Opening hours: Open all year round from 09:00 to 16:00.
