Private Pinglin Tea Culture & Maokong Day Tour from Taipei

  • Operation DayTuesday to Sunday
  • DepartureMorning
  • Duration1 Day
  • Pick-up Time09:00
  • Vehicle Type 9-seater mini van
  • Meeting PointHotel or metro station in downtown Taipei City
  • Drop-off PointHotel or metro station in downtown Taipei City

Highlights

  • Explore Taipei's three primary tea-growing regions in just one day
  • Embark on a scenic adventure on the Maokong Gondola to admire the panoramic vistas of Southern Taipei from above
  • Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of Thousand Island Lake's awe-inspiring landscapes
  • Delve into the rich culture and evolution of Taiwanese tea at the Pinglin Tea Museum
  • Discover the art of brewing and savoring Taiwanese tea with the expert guidance of a skilled tea sommelier

Overview

Taiwan has gained global recognition for its exceptional teas like Tieguanyin, Wenshan Baozhong, Oriental Beauty, and more. This beckons tea lovers worldwide to embark on a fragrant journey in the country. For both seasoned tea connoisseurs and those passionate about tea, this guided tour to Maokong and Pinglin presents a unique opportunity to explore the intriguing world of Taiwanese tea culture from seed to cup.

Your journey begins with a scenic Maokong Gondola ride, offering captivating 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. Continue your journey through Taiwanese tea at the Taipei Tea Promotion Center for Tieguanyin and Baozhong. Here, the informative displays unveil the enchanting world of Taiwanese tea.

In the latter part of your day tour, 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 with its extensive collection of traditional harvesting tools and interactive equipment. As the tour approaches its end, you will have the opportunity to savor authentic Taiwanese tea at a local tea shop and learn the intricate art of brewing it, concluding your tea tour with an additional depth of expertise.

  • 09:00

    Meet your tour guide at the hotel lobby (downtown Taipei City)

    Your tour guide and driver will greet you at the hotel lobby before embarking on your aromatic tea tour.

  • 09:30-10:00

    Maokong Gondola

    Begin your exploration into the world of Taiwanese tea from Maokong in Taipei City’s Muzha District. 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.

    Maokong Gondola Maokong Gondola

  • 10:00-11:00

    Maokong Tea Fragrance Loop Trail or Maokong Zhangshu Trail

    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.

    Maokong Tea Fragrance Loop Trail Maokong Tea Fragrance Loop Trail

  • 11:00-11:30

    Taipei Tea Promotion Center for Tieguanyin and Baozhong

    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.

    Taipei Tea Promotion Center for Tieguanyin and Baozhong Taipei Tea Promotion Center for Tieguanyin and Baozhong

  • 11:30-12:30

    Maokong

    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.

    Maokong Tea Plantation in Maokong

  • 13:40-14:20

    Thousand Island Lake

    Following lunch, 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.

    Thousand Island Lake Thousand Island Lake

  • 14:30-15:00

    Bagua Tea Plantation

    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.

    Bagua Tea Plantation Bagua Tea Plantation

  • 15:30-16:20

    Pinglin Tea Museum of New Taipei City

    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.

    Pinglin Tea Museum Pinglin Tea Museum

  • 16:30-17:20

    Local Tea Shop

    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.

    Tea House in Pinglin Tea Tasting

  • 17:30

    Return to the hotel

    At the end of this fantastic tea tour to Maokong, Shiding, and Pinglin, your tour guide will escort you back to your hotel.

Inclusions & Exclusions

  • Professional licensed tour guide
  • Local transfer by air-conditioned vehicle
  • Maokong Gondola ride experience
  • Entrance ticket (Pinglin Tea Museum of New Taipei City)
  • Local general liabilities insurance
  • Gratuities
  • Food and beverage
Important Notice
  1. Tour commentary will be provided in English (other languages can be quoted on request).
  2. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
  3. The sequence and time of stay of tour stops may be adjusted according to the traffic/weather condition.
  4. If the tour has to be cancelled due to bad weather, in this case, we will contact you no later than the evening before the excursion day by email or SMS.
  5. Please arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes earlier than the pick-up time.
  6. This tour is not recommended for wheelchair users and people with physical disabilities.
  7. Ensure you carry enough cash with you to cover your expenses for meals, beverages, souvenirs, tips, etc. Convenience stores and most of the eateries in Taiwan don't accept credit cards as a form of payment.
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  • Adults

  • Child (age 2-11)

  • Infant

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