Taipei Tea Tour: Maokong & Thousand Island Lake Experience

Two tea ceremonies, two growing regions, one full day in the mountains outside Taipei

A full-day small-group tea culture tour from Taipei that ascends into the Maokong hills by gondola, visits working tea farms and meets tea masters, and includes two traditional tea ceremonies with tastings of locally grown organic teas, plus views of Thousand Island Lake. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Taipei city are included. The guide speaks English or Japanese.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Maokong Gondola20m · entry included
2. Chih Nan Temple30m

Taipei tea culture and sightseeing tour

• Ride Maokong Gondola or scenic drive
• Visit Zhinan Temple
• Explore two tea growing areas
• Enjoy views of Thousand Island Lake
• Participate in two tea ceremonies

The experience

The day starts with a gondola ride over the Maokong hills: a scenic ascent that sets the pace for everything that follows. From there, the guide takes you to tea farms off the beaten path, where you'll meet the people who grow and process the tea you'll taste later. Maokong is particularly famous for Tieguanyin Oolong, and the farms here sit among some of Taiwan's most productive slopes. The first tea ceremony happens at a traditional tea house in the hills, where you'll learn about Taiwan's tea history while sampling various types of locally grown organic teas.

After the morning ceremony, the route continues deeper into the mountains to explore other tea-growing areas. You'll reach Thousand Island Lake, where cascading tea terraces drop away in every direction. The name comes from the way the landscape breaks into countless small plots and ridges. The afternoon brings a second traditional tea ceremony at another tea house, giving you time to settle into the ritual and ask questions about what you're tasting. An expert in tea ceremony guides both tastings, so the experience builds rather than repeats.

The tour runs about eight hours total, with hotel pickup and drop-off included for Taipei city locations. If weather closes the Maokong Gondola, the guide substitutes a scenic drive through the same hills, so the day's structure and stops remain intact. The guide is live and speaks English or Japanese, and the Maokong Gondola admission is covered in the price.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Taipei city.
• admission to the Maokong Gondola.
• visits to two tea-growing areas with a guide.
• two traditional tea ceremonies with tastings of locally grown organic teas and expert instruction in tea ceremony.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by MyTaiwanTour

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want a guide leading the group through two tea-growing regions and hosting introductions to tea masters. You'll move together on a set route rather than exploring independently.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Maokong Gondola and what happens if the weather is bad?

The Maokong Gondola is a scenic cable car that rises over the mountains into the tea-growing hills. If inclement weather closes it, the tour substitutes a scenic drive through the same Maokong region, so you still reach the tea farms and ceremonies on schedule.

What kind of tea will I taste on this tour?

You'll taste various types of locally grown organic teas, with a focus on Tieguanyin Oolong, which Maokong is particularly famous for. The tastings happen during two traditional tea ceremonies led by an expert in tea ceremony.

What is Thousand Island Lake and why is it on the itinerary?

Thousand Island Lake is a scenic viewpoint in the mountains where cascading tea terraces create a landscape of countless small plots and ridges. The stop gives you a sense of the scale and beauty of Taiwan's tea-growing regions in the afternoon part of the tour.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. The two tea ceremonies include tastings and time at traditional tea houses, but you'll want to plan for a meal during the day or discuss options with your guide.

What time does the tour start and how do I know where to be picked up?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for locations in Taipei city. The exact pickup time and your guide's contact number will be provided two days before the tour departure, so you'll have all the details in advance.

Can I do this tour if I have mobility concerns or health conditions?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health due to the gondola ride and mountain terrain. If you have specific concerns, contact the operator before booking.