- Pinglin Old Street - 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 owner of the tea shop will show you how to properly brew Taiwanese tea and the tips of tea appreciation.
- Shihding Ciandao Lake - 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.
- Bagua Tea Garden - 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 look just like the symbols of Eight Trigrams, hence the name.
- Shenkeng Old Street - 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.
- Elephant Mountain (aka Nangang District Hiking Trail) - 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.
- Professional licensed tour guide (Mandarin / English / Japanese)
- Local General Liabilities Insurance
- Taiwanese local tea tasting
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (if private option selected)
- Bottled water
- Gratuities
- Food and drink
Take a break from urban living and plunge into the countryside of Taipei with this full-day excursion to Pinglin, Shiding, and Shenkeng District.
Pinglin District is recognized for producing Wenshan Baozhong tea, and during this tour, you will familiarize yourself with Taiwanese tea traditions and savor the fragrant Taiwanese tea at a tea shop and factory. Shiding District boasts captivating natural landscapes. The exquisite Thousand Island Lake and the unending tea plantations offer eye-catching vistas. Shenkeng District is well-known for its renowned tofu street—Shenkeng Old Street, where a multitude of stinky tofu plates are available and worth a taste.
Furthermore, you will embark on the Elephant Mountain Hiking Trail before concluding your tour. The sensational bird’s-eye view of Taipei from the summit will leave you in awe.
- Each guest is allowed to bring one piece of carry-on baggage.
- If the group size is less than 7 people, your tour guide might also serve as the driver (driver-guide).
- 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.
- Not recommended for travelers with physical disabilities.
- A small amount of walking is involved; comfortable shoes are recommended.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
