What You Will Do
This tour to Maokong and Pinglin presents a unique opportunity to explore the intriguing world of Taiwanese tea culture from seed to cup.
Your tour begins with a scenic Maokong Gondola ride, offering stunning views of Southern Taipei from high above. Upon descending, you'll leisurely stroll along either the Maokong Tea Fragrance Loop Trail or Maokong Zhangshu Trail, each offers picturesque landscapes awaiting your exploration. Then continue your journey at Taipei Tea Promotion Center for Tieguanyin and Baozhong.
In the latter part, you'll venture to the other two tea-originating locations, Shiding and Pinglin, relishing the awe-inspiring beauty of Thousand Island Lake and the distinctive Bagua Tea Plantation. Afterward, a visit to the Pinglin Tea Museum in New Taipei City will enhance your tea knowledge. As the tour approaches its end, you will have the opportunity to savor authentic Taiwanese tea at a local tea shop, concluding your tea tour with an additional depth of expertise.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
Meeting Point
Group Tour: Exit 2, MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station (BL14 /O07).
Please take the escalator to the ground level, your tour guide will be waiting for you near the exit with the tour operator's logo flag (EDISON TOURS).
Private Tour: Complimentary Downtown Taipei City Hotel Pick-up
1
Maokong mountain
30 minutes
After a 30-min drive, begin your exploration into the world of Taiwanese tea from Maokong.
Located in southern part of Taipei City, Maokong is a popular destination for tea lovers, hikers, and those seeking panoramic views of the city. Once a major tea-producing area, Maokong is now known for its traditional teahouses, scenic hiking trails, and the captivating Maokong Gondola.
2
Maokong Gondola
1 hour
Your adventure commences with a scenic ride on the Maokong Gondola, designed for leisurely travel, boasts the lengthiest route, offering awe-inspiring aerial vistas of Southern Taipei. This picturesque ride offers stunning mountain scenery from a lofty vantage point, making it a favored activity among foreign tourists exploring Taipei.
3
Maokong Jhangshu Trail
1 hour
The Maokong Tea Fragrance Loop Trail comprises four short, paved paths. Along the trail, you’ll encounter beautiful natural features like potholes, waterfalls, and forests, all visible during the hike. Known as the easiest hiking trail in Maokong, it’s suitable for individuals of all ages. The Maokong Zhangshu Trail is another beloved leisure trail among the locals, particularly during the blooming season of Lupinus. Along this trail, you’ll discover the terraced fields, ponds, tea gardens, and more, creating the sensation of stepping into an idyllic picture as you stroll through this scenic landscape.
4
Taipei Tea Promotion Center for Tieguanyin and Baozhong
30 minutes
The Taipei Tea Promotion Center for Tieguanyin and Baozhong serves as a leisurely park dedicated to showcase the exceptional quality and authenticity of Taiwan’s Tieguanyin and Baozhong teas. By exploring the center, visitors can gain insights into the evolution of Taiwanese tea and ecological knowledge through the informational exhibits, tea panning machines, and more.
5
1 hour
After a few hours of walking, you might find yourself hungry and craving some local foods. Maokong, a popular place for a nature getaway in suburban Taipei, nestled in the mountains, offers prime locations to enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Taipei Basin. Beyond its scenic beauty, Maokong is a hotspot for tea tasting. Abound with teahouses, most of them offer freshly brewed teas and meals, allowing you to enjoy a delectable lunch in the delightful aroma of tea at your own expense.
6
Shihding Ciandao Lake
1 hour 50 minutes
Following lunch, after 1-hour drive, your tea tour proceeds with a visit to Thousand Island Lake in Shiding District, New Taipei City. Shiding, a rural area celebrated for its tea cultivation and stunning landscapes. The catchment area around the Feitsui Reservoir, nestled among hills, creates a distinctive scenery—a lake adorned with numerous islands. Its resemblance to the Thousand Island Lake in China has bestowed upon it the same name.
7
Bagua Tea Garden
40 minutes
The natural terrain and climate create an ideal environment for tea cultivation in the surrounding area of Feitsui Reservoir. The Bagua Tea Plantation also locates in this area. When viewed from the hilltop, the neatly planted rows of tea bushes resemble the symbols of Eight Trigrams, which inspired the plantation’s name.
8
Pinglin Tea Museum of New Taipei City
1 hour 20 minutes
After indulging in the natural tea aroma, your tea tour continues to uncover the intricacies of tea processing and its evolution. The Pinglin Tea Museum, a Hokkien-style Siheyuan architecture, embodying the traditional dwelling of Taiwan, inviting the visitors to delve into the world of Taiwanese tea. This museum houses a rich collection of traditional harvesting tools, tea sets, samples, and more, offering insights into the history and evolution of Taiwan’s tea industry. Additionally, the interactive equipment within the museum offers visitors an immersive, sensory-rich experience.
9
Pinglin Old Street
1 hour 10 minutes
While in Pinglin, you can’t miss the chance to savor authentic Taiwanese tea at a local tea shop. The tea sommelier will demonstrate the proper brewing techniques to bring out the flavors of the tea leaves, making your tea more aromatic and enhancing your tea tasting experience. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to sample various types of Taiwanese tea during your visit.
10
Taipei 101
On the way back to our meeting point, you can choose to be dropped off at Taipei 101.
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