taipei tea plantation tour

Thousand Island Lake & Pinglin Tea Plantation Afternoon Tour

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About this activity

Welcome to the birthplace of the most beloved beverage in the world—bubble tea! Whether you are a seasoned tea connoisseur, or simply love to drink tea, through this guided tour to Pinglin Tea Plantation and Thousand Island Lake, you will get glimpses of the tea culture in Taiwan, and learn about the development of Taiwanese tea. 

Pinglin District in New Taipei City is the home to Wenshan Baozhong tea, where you will visit the tea museum to explore the world of Taiwanese tea, and taste the aromatic Taiwanese tea at a tea shop. Not only that, on this tour you will pay a visit to Thousand Island Lake and Bagua Tea Plantation for a rendezvous with nature, immersing yourself in the verdant landscapes and the dreamy lake. 

Take an afternoon out of your busy schedule and unwind! Enjoy a half-day tour to Pinglin and Thousand Island Lake from Taipei.

• Admire the stunning landscapes of Thousand Island Lake
• Immerse yourself in the endless rows of tea plants at Bagua Tea Plantation 
• Taste the locally grown tea and savor its fresh and floral aroma
• Learn about culture and development of Taiwanese tea at Pinglin Tea Museum
• Guaranteed departure with a minimum of 1 participant

Description

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Pinglin Tea Plantation Tour

• 9.60 / 10 5 reviews | 38 travellers Great tour! The landscapes are stunning and the tea tasting was a lot of fun. Good guide too. 10 Anonymous
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the service starts

Discover the tea making process in the Taiwanese region with this Pinglin Tea Plantation Tour. Discover the secrets of this thousand-year-old drink in the tea museum.

At the time indicated, we'll pick you up from the  Zhongxiao Xinsheng metro station and head to the Pinglin tea region in northeast Taiwan. As we arrive, we'll see the extensive tea plantations that characterise the island's landscape.

Our first stop will be the impressive  Thousand Islands Lake . The mild climate and wet soil in this area make it an ideal place for tea cultivation. We'll have the opportunity to visit several local plantations before going to the museum dedicated to this product.

Inside this museum, you'll find the materials and utensils most used by the Taiwanese population to cultivate this infusion. We'll also learn about the origin of this product and why its consumption is strongly linked to Taiwanese culture.

You can visit the different areas around the museum : exhibitions, different tea leaves, tea rituals and much more. You'll become experts!

The Tea Museum will be closed on the first Monday of each month. If you book the tour on this day we'll take you to Pinglin Old Street.

More Information

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.

Transport by bus

English speaking guide

Visit a tea plantation

Visit Pinglin tea museum

When to book?

You can book up until 18 hours before the activity as long as there are still places. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Not wheelchair accessible.

Sustainability

All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code .

Our providers commit to:

• Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
• Uphold fair employment standards.
• Foster the growth of local communities.
• Preserve the integrity of local culture.
• Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
• Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
• Operate with honesty and transparency.
• Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.

This particular activity contributes as follows:

• Printed material is avoided.
• No single-use plastics are used.
• The activity promotes local production.
• No printing of documentation required.
• Has a gender equality policy.
• Has a carbon footprint offset policy.
• Promotes local employment.

Edison Tours Show more

Corporate name: Edison Travel Service CO.,LTD

Not permitted.

Frequently asked questions

Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.

Q - How to book?

A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

If you have any other questions please contact us.

Free cancellation

Meeting point.

 Zhongxiao Xinsheng Metro Station

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• A Guide To Maokong Taiwan

How to Explore Maokong, Taipei's Tea Town

Steeped in terraces, temples and tea leaves, Maokong is Taipei’s tea tourism epicentre. A vertiginous valley split by the roaring Zhinan River, its dramatic scenery contrasts with the serenity of a cup of oolong in one of its famous teahouses. If you want to explore this part of Taiwan’s capital but don’t know where to start, this guide is for you.

The name oolong is derived from wulong , meaning “black dragon” in Mandarin. Relatively unknown in the West, oolong tea is partially oxidised and then roasted, which gives it a flavour profile somewhere between green and black tea. The two main varieties grown in Maokong are Tieguanyin – a jade-coloured floral tea – and Baozhong, a subtle, sweet tea with a pale golden colour said to resemble the full moon. Both are served in jitter-inducing quantities – perfect preparation for a hike on one of Maokong’s many scenic trails.

1. Getting there – hop on the Maokong Gondola

Architectural Landmark

2. Learn about Maokong's famous teas

One kilometre west of Maokong Station, the red-brick Taipei Tea Promotion Center has a display on tea growing, drying, spinning and roasting, as well as instructions on how to make the perfect brew. The best part? Free cups of Tieguanyin in the gift shop. The centre also runs tea picking, processing and brewing workshops from June through November.

Sample fried treats on Popular Food Street

The buzzing Popular Food Street is one of the first sights to greet visitors stepping off the gondola at Maokong Station. Try Taiwanese specialties such as bomb pancake – batter pressed into a circle, flipped onto a deep-fried egg and brushed with soy and chilli sauce. Skip the bubble tea and instead try grass jelly tea – sweet gelatinous cubes stirred up with black milk tea.

See spring flowers and local life on a hike

Awash with butterflies and spring blooms, Maokong is a hiker’s paradise. Choose one of the many shorter trails or stitch them together for a day’s worth of rambling. Pick up a map at Maokong Station before setting out, and load up on water and sunscreen – temperatures can reach 34C here.

Tread the Tea Fragrance Loop Trail

A combination of several smaller trails, the Tea Fragrance Loop Trail takes in terraced tea plantations and the Maokong Potholes – unusually pockmarked rocks in a tributary of the Zhinan River. The holes resemble cat paw prints, which give the Maokong area its name ( Maokong means “cat’s hollows” in Mandarin ).

Explore the Camphor and Zhanghu Trails

Slightly longer is the 1.2km (0.75mi) Camphor Trail, a gentle paved walkway that winds past charcoal kilns, granaries and clay-brick farmhouses. Among people from Taiwan , the trail is best known for the golden-yellow lupine flowers that bloom along its edges from February to April. The 2.5km (1.5mi) Zhanghu Trail, which runs almost parallel to the Camphor Trail, is a more secluded alternative.

Try the Zhinan Temple Trail

Either a gentle stroll or challenging climb depending on where you start, this trail begins on Zhinan Road and consists of 1,200 steps to Zhinan Temple. Those wishing to take the easier option can ride the gondola to the temple and walk downhill. From May to June, the trail is covered in white tung flowers known as “May snow” by locals.

Stop off at Ayishi Big Tea Pot

About an eight-minute walk from Maokong Station, Ayishi Big Tea Pot specialises in tea-based cuisine. Try tea-smoked chicken, noodles cooked in tea seed oil, and tea-infused stir-fried rice. The simply furnished dining room has views of the city and cable car line.

Experience Taiwanese teahouse culture

If you want the full Maokong tea experience, head to one of its teahouses for a lavish lunch. Tea is pricey, but you get plenty for your money – the dry leaves are brought over in a tin, and you can take away what you don’t use.

The lively 24-hour Yaoyue Teahouse is a 25-minute walk from Maokong Station. Plates are generous here – feast on mountains of dumplings, vegetable bao and ginger chicken. Enjoy the air-conditioning in the wood-panelled interior or snap photos of the valley from the outdoor terrace.

Elsewhere, ensconced among the hiking trails on Maokong’s west side is Zi Zai Tian, set in a remodelled traditional farmhouse with red-brick interiors, elegant dark wood furnishings and a bamboo-lined courtyard with latticed chairs. Food options are generally Western style: choose from sandwiches, waffles, muffins and brownies. Take a post-lunch stroll in the nearby Apricot Tree Garden, which is filled with cherry blossoms in January and peach blossoms in February.

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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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Thousand Island Lake and Pinglin Tea Plantation Tour in Taipei

Thousand island lake and pinglin tea plantation tour.

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Thousand Island Lake and Pinglin Tea Plantation Tour from Taipei

Please check in at Zhongxiao Xinsheng MRT Station, Exit 2 (12:45PM)*

*From 1st April 2024 onwards, check in is at 1.15PM

What's included

Customer reviews.

Very fun and insightful! Guide was friendly.

Pleasant informative trip. The lake is beautiful but we enjoyed the history of tea at Tea Museum and the. art of tea drinking! Worthwhile experience

Great experience

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Private Family Tour of Taiwan

Classic private tours of taiwan, natural wonders tour of taiwan, private tea tours of taiwan, private food tours of taiwan, private culture tours of taiwan, 7-day private tea tour of taiwan.

Enjoy a seven-day tea tour of Taiwan’s best plantations to learn the traditions, tastes, and cultivation techniques of Taiwanese tea. Immerse yourself in beautiful tea plantations, tasting the finest oolong and Oriental Beauty tea varieties.

All of our tours are fully customizable. Get in touch and we'll assign you a dedicated travel designer who will work with you to curate your perfect trip.

7-Day Private Tea Tour of Taiwan Itinerary

Day 1 – taipei city.

• Fly into Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport near Taipei. By the time you’ve transferred to your hotel in the capital, we’ll have finalized a plan for the rest of the day that matches your interests and energy levels.
• Depending on time available, this may include a thorough look at Dadaocheng, one of the oldest and most interesting parts of Taipei. Some of the tea businesses here have been operating for more than 150 years; the tea trade paid for many of the ornate baroque-revival buildings on Dihua Street. We’ll experience a tea ceremony, led by a local tea master and featuring a selection of Taiwan’s finest teas. Alternatively, we may take the Maokong Gondola up to the tea plantations in the southwestern part of the capital, and have dinner – with some excellent local tea, of course – at our favorite restaurant, watching the lights of Taipei flicker in the distance.

Day 2 – Hualien County

• We’ll be making a reasonably early start today and driving to Hualien on the east coast. We can break this four-hour drive with a stop at the hot & cold springs park in Jiaoxi in Yilan County. If your interest in delightful liquids goes beyond tea, we can instead detour to the Kavalan Distillery where one of the world’s newest whisky brands has been producing prize-winning editions.
• A large part of the population in the east is of indigenous Austronesian descent and these tribes have their own distinct cuisines. At the acclaimed aboriginal restaurant Dageeli we’ll enjoy some indigenous delicacies before heading into Hualien. After we’ve set you up in your hotel and you’ve taken a rest, we can look around this lively city of 100,000 people.

Day 3 – Ruisui District

• Basing ourselves in Hualien, today we’ll drive an hour and a quarter through the bucolic East Rift Valley to Ruisui for scenery and, naturally, more tea. The district is famous for its hot springs; if you want to soak, bring your swimsuit. Along the way, we can make a stop at Danongdafu Forest Park, a former sugar plantation that’s been turned into a sprawling recreational woodland.
• Ruisui, located just north of where the Tropic of Cancer crosses Taiwan, produces a variety of teas. At Wuhe Tea Plantation the oolongs include qingxin oolong tea, jinxuan tea, and jade oolong. What’s called ‘honey peach black tea’ on account of its sweet and fruity aroma was created by happy accident. A plantation owner embracing pesticide-free farming methods discovered that his leaves were being chewed by leaf-hopper insects, and after drying them noticed the flavour was subtly yet pleasantly altered.

Day 4 – Scenic Mountain Drive to Sun Moon Lake

• Much of the day will be spent on a long but breathtakingly scenic drive. From Hualien, we’ll pass through the stupendous Taroko Gorge then climb high into the Central Mountain Range that separates east Taiwan from the island’s flatter, more populated western half. The road crests at two miles above sea level, but before then we’ll likely halt for a cup of hot ginger tea at Bilu Sacred Tree, a 50m high, 3,200-year-old Lunta fir.
• We’ll make regular stops so you can photograph the gorgeous panoramas, then descend toward one of Taiwan’s most famous attractions, Sun Moon Lake. You’ll arrive in time to see the lake (by private boat, if you let us know in advance) and take a short rest in your hotel before dinner.

Day 5 – Tea Plantations

• After lunch, you can stretch your legs at the nearby Antique Assam Tea Farm, a restored Japanese-era tea plantation which is as educational as it is scenic. It’ll then be time to say goodbye to the lake and head to the oolong-growing part of the mountainous Alishan region. Dinner will be near your accommodation at Shizhuo, 1,000 m or so above sea level and another famous tea-growing area. We recommend a local speciality: chicken basted in tea oil.

Day 6 – Tea Plantations

• We’ll have the entire day to explore the Greater Alishan region, visit tea plantations, meet farmers and try their teas. The scenery throughout is wonderful; if you’d like to go for a hike, we’ll show you a trail that matches your physical condition.
• We can go for a gentle stroll through the forests around Fenqihu (a tiny town that grew up to service the logging railway), take a look at Dinghu, a tea-growing village even higher than Shizhuo, or meet a lady who gathers wild coffee in the indigenous village of Laiji.

Day 7 – Wrap up

• Whatever time you fly out, we’ll help you make the very most of your final day in Taiwan. Before putting you on the bullet train at Chiayi HSR Station, we can bring you to the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum, which has a superb permanent exhibition about tea culture, as well as sections devoted to Asian textiles, Buddhist Art and other themes.

If this 7-day private tea tour of Taiwan is not what you are looking for, take a quick look at our 5-day private tea tour of Taiwan and the  3-day private tea tour of Taiwan.

What to Expect

• Fully Customized Itinerary
• Dedicated vehicle with licensed commercial driver
• Dedicated English-speaking tour guides
• The best accommodations in every location
• All meals tailored to your specific dietary needs
• Comprehensive insurance

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