About 20 minutes north of the Qiantang River from Liuhe Pagoda, the Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies make for a lovely stroll or bike ride through attractive countryside. Heading north from the river, the main path passes through paddies and tea terraces, along pleasant streams and, ultimately, to a small lagoon, a teahouse and the Longjing Tea Plantations further into the hills, terminating at Longjing Village. You can also head south from the village toward the river.

     The most attractive part of the excursion is the close-up view of authentic tea plantations on hill slopes on either side of the road, and, if your timing is right, you will get to see tea growers working on their plants, harvesting fresh tea buds collected in a bamboo basket; which will give you a great lesson on how the famous West Lake Long Jing tea is harvested. The area is open for everyone to explore. If you like, you can go a few steps further into the fields, talk to the tea growers, ask them question about tea cultivation, or, for a more hands-on experience, work in the fields for a moment under their kind instruction.

     Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies is also a great place to go for a picnic, and many Hangzhou citizens choose the spot as a barbecue camping site to wile away their weekend. It is also a lovely idea to eat at farmer's home to enjoy local foods or taste newly-harvested Long Jing tea while you stop for a rest. For a really intense experience, bring a chessboard to play with your friend on a silent hilltop, or discuss literature while sipping a mouthful of the healthy local drink.

     Give yourself at least three or four hours to explore the creeks and gullies by foot or make it part of a larger Hangzhou bicycle ride. If you've had your fill of West Lake, the creeks and gullies make for a nice break from the crowds and go well with a visit to either Liuhe Pagoda or the Tea Museum.

The Nine Creeks and Eighteen Gullies are best seen during the summer when the water is at its highest.