Pinglin Tea Culture & Elephant Mountain Day Tour from Taipei: Thousand Island Lake, Bagua Tea Plantation and Shenkeng Old Street

08:00 Meet your tour guide at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station (BL14 /O07), Exit 2

09:00-10:00 Local tea shop and tea factory
Pinglin District is located in the southeast of New Taipei City. The climate condition in this area makes Pinglin an ideal place for growing Wenshan Baozhong tea. The streets are lined with tea shops and eateries; the local specialties such as the tea eggs cooked with Baozhong tea and the Baozhong tea flavored ice cream are popular among tourists.
Here you will visit a local tea shop and a tea factory, and learn about the cultivation and making of Taiwanese Tea. Additionally, you are offered to tastes different types of Taiwanese tea, the tea sommelier will show you how to properly brew Taiwanese tea and the tips of tea appreciation.
10:30-11:40 Thousand Island Lake and Bagua Tea Plantation
Next, you will take a short ride to Shiding District, another rural district nearby, to see the famous Thousand Island Lake. The catchment area of Feitsui Reservoir surrounded by hills creates the unique scenery—a lake with thousands of islands, which shares the same name with the Thousand Island Lake in China due to the resemblance between the two.
The natural terrain and climate make the surrounding area of Feitsui Reservoir an ideal farmland for tea-growing. Bagua Tea Plantation is located in this area, too. From the top of the hill, the neatly planted rows of tea bushes look just like the symbols of Eight Trigrams, hence the name.
12:40-14:30 Shenkeng Old Street (lunch on own arrangement)
Your tour continues with a visit to Shenkeng District, where the famous tofu street—Shenkeng Old Street is widely-known among Taiwanese people.
Many eateries are housed in the historical buildings along this 300-meter street, where you can find various stinky tofu dishes, such as steamed stinky tofu, charcoal-grilled stinky tofu, deep-fried stinky tofu and all that. The stinky tofu, as its name implies, gives off a pungent smell. If you are not feeling adventurous, the tofu ice cream is a good option for a pleasant treat.
15:00-16:00 Elephant Mountain
Before the end of your tour, you will return to Taipei City for a hike along Elephant Mountain Hiking Trail. The name is given because of the shape; from a distance, the mountain looks like an elephant's head.
The trail is located near Xinyi Shopping District and Taipei 101. Aside from the easy accessibility, it is popular for another reason—a fantastic view of the entire building of Taipei 101 can be captured from the top of the mountain, making this trail a hotspot for photography.
16:30 Drop off at Xinyi Shopping District (Taipei 101)
At the end of the tour, you may choose to disembark at Xinyi Shopping District (Taipei 101) or at MRT Zhongxiao XInsheng Station.
16:40 Drop off at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station (BL14 /O07)
 

【Itinerary from April 1st, 2024】
08:30  Meet your tour guide at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station (BL14 /O07), Exit 2
09:00-09:30  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.
09:30-10:30 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.
11:00-12:00 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.
13:10-13:50 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.
14:00-14:30 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.
15:00-15:50 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.
16:00-16:50 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.
At the end of this fantastic tea tour to Maokong, Shiding, and Pinglin, you may choose to disembark at Xinyi Shopping District (Taipei 101) or at MRT Zhongxiao XInsheng Station.
17:00 Drop off at Xinyi Shopping District (Taipei 101)
17:15 Drop off at MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station (BL14 /O07)