Experience Taiwan’s tea culture through these museums, plantations and tea houses
Taiwan is known for its world-famous teas. Its tea-making tradition began centuries ago with varieties brought over from mainland China, and the island has since developed its own unique offerings—most notably its high-mountain tea. It’s also responsible for the production of a large percentage of the world’s oolong—semi-oxidized teas that fall somewhere between green and black varieties.
From tea house ceremonies to overnight plantation stays, there are plenty of ways to experience Taiwan’s vast tea culture for yourself. Here are some of the best regions and teas for making the most of your Taiwanese tea adventure.
Exploring Songboling: Taiwan’s Tea Paradise
A Journey into Taiwan’s Rich Tea Culture
Songboling, located in the southern part of Baguanshan, is Taiwan’s largest tea-producing region, renowned for its centuries-old tea-making traditions. Known for its ideal climate and soil conditions, the area has a history of over 300 years in tea cultivation, making it a pivotal landmark for Taiwanese tea culture.
A Hub of Tea Knowledge: Songboling Visitor Center
At the heart of this tea-rich region lies the Songboling Visitor Center, which offers both educational and leisure experiences for tea enthusiasts. This two-story building, which houses the Tea Culture Theme Pavilion, provides a comprehensive introduction to the world of tea. Visitors can explore Taiwanese tea history, discover tea varieties, and even experience tea-making techniques through interactive exhibits.
The Pavilion’s first floor is dedicated to Taiwan’s unique teas and the different tea-growing regions across the island. Guests can engage with miniature tea-making machines, giving them a hands-on understanding of the delicate tea-making process. A major attraction in the center is Taiwan’s largest tea ball, a 280-kilogram masterpiece that offers a nostalgic glimpse into Taiwan’s rich tea heritage.
The Renowned Songbo Evergreen Tea
Songboling’s fame is largely attributed to its signature “Songbo Evergreen Tea,” a variety named in 1975 by Chiang Ching-kuo, the then Premier of Taiwan. After sampling the fragrant Puzhong tea, Chiang was so impressed that he named it in honor of Songboling. Today, this tea variety, along with Taiwan Tea No. 12 (Jinxuan), Taiwan Tea No. 13 (Cuiyu), Qingxin Oolong, and Sijichun, are the region’s standout tea cultivars, establishing Songboling as the largest tea-producing area in Taiwan.
Global Tea Insights and Cultural Art
Tea Culture Theme Pavilion expands on global tea knowledge. It introduces the six major types of tea and highlights tea-producing regions worldwide. Visitors can immerse themselves in an aromatic experience, where the scent of various teas showcases the impact of fermentation on flavor. The space also features the Songling Art Gallery, which regularly hosts exhibitions that explore tea culture through an artistic lens.
The ‘Six Senses of Tea’ Experience
For those looking to deepen their connection with tea, Songboling offers the exclusive “Six Senses of Tea” experience—a sensory journey designed to engage every aspect of the body and mind. Participants can observe the transformation of tea leaves, savor its flavors, inhale the tea’s aromatic essence, listen to the soothing sound of leaves unfurling during brewing, touch the delicate tea leaves, and feel the comforting warmth of the tea. To ensure an intimate experience indulge in TEA SPA.
Whether you’re a tea connoisseur or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, Songboling offers a fascinating and immersive journey into Taiwan’s tea culture.
Pinglin—Home to One of the World’s Largest Tea Museums
Pinglin is one of Taiwan’s prime tea-producing spots—a picturesque rural district in the southeastern part of New Taipei that’s the heart of the region’s famous Baozhong (sometimes called Pouchong) tea. This tea made from leaves that are twisted rather than rolled is rich in body, lightly oxidized, and typically not roasted—an almost hybrid tea style boasting the lighter colorings of green tea but the flora notes of oolong. Pinglin’s tea harvesting season takes place in the spring, when the region’s terraced tea plantations are lush with greenery, making for some amazing photographs. You’ll find this tea, also known as “flower tea” because of its highly floral aroma, and others at many of the tea shops—and even incorporated into restaurant dishes such as “fried rice with tea leaves”—along Pinglin Old Street, at the center of town.
Another area to absorb everything there is to know about Taiwanese tea is the Pinglin Tea Museum, one of the largest tea museums on the planet. Opened in 1997, the museum offers insight into the history, preparation and processing of tea, as well as the development of tea culture throughout China, through a series of interactive and engaging exhibits. The museum also features a traditional Southern Chinese-style garden and a tea house for sipping brews onsite.
If you have time, pay a visit to nearby Bagua Tea Plantation, one of Northern Taiwan’s largest, and its onsite tea garden. Overlooking the waters of Feicui Reservoir, the plantation’s seemingly endless rows of tea bushes—set among the area’s rolling hills—create an almost magical setting.
Maokong—a Mountain Top Tea Village, A Scenic Tea Destination in Taipei
Maokong, a mountain village in Taipei’s Wenshan district, is known for its rich tea culture and beautiful views. Just a short ride on a sky gondola from the Taipei Zoo, Maokong offers a more accessible tea experience compared to other famous tea areas like Pinglin and the Bagua Tea Plantation.
The area is especially known for growing Tieguanyin, a high-quality Chinese oolong tea. This fragrant tea thrives in Maokong’s misty mountain environment and can range from light and grassy to rich and floral, depending on how long it’s oxidized. Originally brought to Taiwan by Chinese immigrants from Anxi County in Fujian Province at the end of the 19th century, Tieguanyin flourishes in Maokong’s ideal high-altitude conditions, much like the tea in their homeland.
Today, Maokong is home to dozens of tea houses where visitors can enjoy traditional tea ceremonies. The village also has farm-owned shops, temples, and stunning views of Taipei City below.
For tea lovers, the Taipei Tea Promotion Center is just a 20-minute walk from the gondola station. This small but informative center showcases tea-making tools, including a tea leaf shaker used to enhance the fragrance of oolong tea. Visitors can also learn about how tea cultivation has evolved over the years, with a local tea grower often offering free tastings and products for sale.
Hsinchu County: Where Oolong Tea Meets Hakka Culture
Located along Taiwan’s northwest coast, Hsinchu County is often called the island’s “Silicon Valley” for its high-tech industry. But for tea lovers, it’s the Dongfang Meiren, or Baihao, that steals the spotlight. This heavily oxidized oolong tea, known as “Oriental Beauty ”, in the West, is famous for its sweet honey and peach taste, with a fruity aroma. What makes it special is the arrival of green leafhoppers each summer. These insects nibble on the tips of the tea leaves, causing them to partially oxidize and develop their distinct flavor. Because it’s produced in small quantities, Dongfang Meiren is highly prized. Workers hand-pick the leaves in summer after the leafhoppers have done their work.
A visit to Beipu, a rural township in eastern Hsinchu, is a must. This area offers a deep dive into Taiwan’s Hakka culture, a unique Chinese minority with its own traditions and way of life. Beipu Old Street is lined with tea houses where you can enjoy steaming cups of Dongfang Meiren, as well as lei cha, a traditional Hakka tea blend made from ground tea leaves mixed with herbs, seeds, grains, and nuts, creating a thick, porridge-like drink.
Another interesting stop in Hsinchu County is Emei Township, home to the Fuxing Tea Factory. Once a working tea factory, it now serves as a two-story cultural museum. It’s also a great place to pick up unique tea-related gifts at its excellent shop.
Nantou County: The Heart of Dong Ding Tea
Nestled in the heart of Taiwan, Nantou County is the island’s only landlocked region, defined by its rolling hills and breathtaking mountain views. Among its natural wonders is Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan’s largest body of freshwater, famous for its black tea production. But it’s the world-renowned Dong Ding Tea that truly stands out in this region. Grown in the foothills of the Tung Ting Mountain, also known as “Icy Peak,” Dong Ding is a premium oolong tea with a distinct toasty flavor, thanks to its traditional charcoal roasting process, and a smooth, sweet aftertaste.
Every fall, Nantou hosts the Global Tea Expo, a major event that brings together tea artisans from across Asia. The expo features a range of activities, from tea brewing and tastings to an organic tea pavilion. Visitors can even book tours to try their hand at tea leaf picking, either by hand or with machines.
Alishan: A Mountain Tea Wonderland
Not far from Nantou, Alishan National Scenic Area in central Taiwan is another tea paradise. Famous for its cloud-covered mountains and historic mountain railways, Alishan is home to the renowned Alishan Tea, an oolong often referred to as the “champagne of teas.” This delicate tea boasts a floral aroma with hints of jasmine and rose, paired with a creamy texture. Harvested twice a year, Alishan Tea is as much a feast for the senses as it is for the palate.
For those curious about the area’s tea culture, the Alishan NSA Chukou Visitor Center offers in-depth exhibits on local tea production. Nearby, Shizhuo Village sells teas directly from local farmers. Visitors can also explore the scenic “Tea Trail,” a hiking path that winds through picturesque tea terraces. Alishan’s Chiayi County is known for its homestays surrounded by lush tea fields, where guests can enjoy tea tastings and even spot fireflies in the evenings. The drive between Fenchihu and Shizhuo offers stunning views of the area’s expansive tea plantations.
Taichung—the Land of Bubble Tea, The Birthplace of Bubble Tea
No trip to Taiwan is complete without trying bubble tea, or boba. While it’s now popular around the world, this beloved drink originally comes from Taiwan. The classic version is made with Taiwanese black tea, condensed milk, and sweet flavorings like syrup or honey, topped off with chewy tapioca pearls.
While the exact origins of bubble tea are unclear, Taichung—Taiwan’s second-largest city—plays a key role in its history. It’s home to the Chun Shui Tang Tea House, where the drink is believed to have first been served. In the late 1980s, founder Liu Han-Chieh noticed the growing popularity of iced tea in Japan and decided to try it in Taiwan. But the real turning point came when product manager Lin Hsiu Hui added sweet tapioca pudding, called fen yuan, to her tea. She loved the combination, and soon, it became one of the tea house’s bestsellers.
Today, Chun Shui Tang has multiple locations across Taiwan and China, but the original shop in Taichung’s West District remains a must-visit spot for bubble tea fans.
DID YOU KNOW?
When was Bubble Tea invented?
It was developed and sold on trial in 1986 and officially launched in the spring of 1987.
Where was Bubble Tea invented?
At the original Chun Shui Tang store in Taichung (Siwei branch).
Who invented Bubble Tea?
It was invented by its founder, Mr. Liu, Han-Chieh, who led the product development team known as the “Golden Tongues”.
Why add ingredients to milk tea?
Throughout the historical evolution of tea, there have been precedents of incorporating various ingredients since the Wei, Jin, Southern, and Northern Dynasties. Enhancing tea with spices, grains, and flowers was not uncommon. Serendipitously, the founder and the product development team decided to revisit their childhood favorite, “tapioca pearls”, and experimented with them in the shop. They initially consumed warm food, but they later sampled cold food. Discovering the unique chewiness and distinct texture of the chilled pearls, they made the decision to incorporate them into their best-selling iced milk tea and iced lemon black tea, thus giving rise to the iconic Bubble Tea.
Was Bubble Tea originally the store manager’s secret tea?
The development team aimed to gauge the reception of tea enthusiasts towards teas with added ingredients. They decided to test the market by selling milk tea with tapioca pearls, initially labeling it as the manager’s “secret tea” for a week. Encouragingly, customers responded positively, and as there was no official menu for this beverage, it became universally known as the “secret tea”. Buoyed by the enthusiastic feedback from tea enthusiasts, the decision was made to formally introduce this tea for sale. Subsequently, the founder was approached to rename the “secret tea” as “Bubble Tea”, and it was officially launched in 1987.
Why was it named “Pearl Milk Tea”(as known as Bubble Tea)?
The name was chosen to evoke the image of “large and small pearls falling into a jade plate”. The tapioca balls were renamed “pearls”, meaning “Pearl Milk Tea” as known as “Bubble Tea”.
How did Bubble Tea become popular worldwide?
Within six months of its launch, Bubble Tea quickly climbed to “the top of the sales charts”. Its unique and enjoyable taste, which can be both a beverage and a snack, was well-received by “tea enthusiasts”. In 1990, it became a nostalgic remedy for overseas immigrants, with stories even emerging of people bringing it from Taichung to Canada, making headlines when discovered by airport customs. Subsequently, as ethnic Chinese people migrated around the world, bubble tea spread globally.
What is Bubble Tea called abroad?
Internationally, this beloved beverage is known by various names such as “Bubble Tea”, “BOBA Tea”, “BOBA”, “Pearl Milk Tea”, and “Tapioca Tea”. Much like Coca-Cola, it captivates taste buds across borders, transcending cultural boundaries as a contemporary beverage popular worldwide.
Why are the tapioca pearls at Chun Shui Tang relatively small?
Within six months of its debut, bubble tea quickly spread across Taiwan, leading to the emergence of large-sized “boba” pearls and white pearls made from sago rice. However, the original recipe used tapioca pearls with a diameter of 8mm, made from tapioca flour. To maintain the classic flavor, this tradition continues to this day.
How many cups of Bubble Tea do Taiwanese people consume in a year?
If we tally up all the shops selling bubble tea in Taiwan, Taiwanese people drink around 100 million cups of bubble tea each year. If we were to stack these cups, it would be equivalent to 1700 Mount Everests, allowing for a round trip between Earth and outer space 250 times.
