Workers at the Longjing tea plantation in Shuangfeng village, Hangzhou show off their new outfits on March 10. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

East China's Hangzhou is known not only for its picturesque West Lake but also the Longjing tea growing on hills around it.

West Lake Longjing tea, especially the type picked before Tomb Sweeping Day in early April, is widely appreciated for its freshness and fragrance.

In addition to offering exclusive authorization to only a few tea plantations to protect the brand value of the West Lake Longjing tea, the Hangzhou government has also rolled out a recent plan calling on all authorized Longjing tea plantations to create unique tea-picking outfits.

"I think my tea plantation will definitely be more beautiful this year," said Miu Yaqin, a tea grower from Longjing village. "I've seen a few photos shared by my friends on their WeChat Moments. The outfits are not only water-and-dirt proof but also have many interesting features, such as bamboo hats, detachable towels, and pockets."

A total of 12,000 tea-picking outfits will be put into use soon.

This year's West Lake Longjing tea is expected to be of higher quality than previous years due to moderate temperatures after a mild winter, following several winter and spring snows, and the arrival of spring drizzles recently.

A woman shows off her new tea-picking outfit. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]