Body: A drink fit for a king
Hangzhou’s longjing, or dragon well, tea won imperial status during the Qing dynasty (1644–1912) when Emperor Qianlong tasted the mellow, floral elixir. Head to the city’s Longjing Village to visit the Imperial Tea Garden and the China National Tea Museum, or simply roam the hilly plantations. A villager might invite you home for a glimpse of the roasting, all done by hand, as well as a tasting. Grade A is the most delicate, but all varieties are full of antioxidants and polyphenols, which help prevent heart disease, some cancers and diabetes.
Soul: Spiritual awakenings
At the minimalist-chic Amanfayun, a resort created out of a revamped village, wake up before dawn to enjoy a walk through the silent cobble paths up to Lingyin Temple. A procession of monks emerges out of the mist, filing into the temple hall to chant as they prepare their minds for meditation. The harmonious, steady voices become one as the sound wafts out into the courtyard, calming the mind and spirit for the day ahead. amanfayun.com
