Six Healing Tea Plantations Across Taiwan to Escape the Summer Heatwave

By MOOK Scenic Spots / Christopher, compiled and reported

Taiwan's tea industry has a history of over 200 years, and its profound tea culture is closely intertwined with local customs and traditions. Leisure-oriented tea plantations have become one of the popular tourist destinations for many visitors. In addition to experiencing tea picking, tea tasting, and other rural activities, visitors can also admire the breathtaking beauty of expansive tea fields and mountains. Below are six healing tea plantation spots recommended for both the body and mind. Visitors might consider escaping the summer heat in the mountains during the hot season to enjoy the scenic beauty of nature.

1. Shiding - Bagua Tea Plantation
 
Located about a 30 to 40-minute drive from downtown Taipei, Shiding boasts a stunning hidden gem. Standing on the Bagua Tea Plantation in Shiding, visitors can not only enjoy the fragrance of the tea fields but also take in the astonishing view of Thousand Island Lake. Additionally, you can choose to stroll along the nearby Yong’an Scenic Trail, making it suitable for a one-day trip.
 
2. Nantou - Ruan’an Bagua Tea Plantation
 
The Ruan’an Bagua Tea Plantation, shrouded in clouds year-round, is hidden within Nantou’s Daran Bamboo Sea Scenic Area. Due to its winding terrain resembling a bamboo hat, it was formerly known as the Bamboo Hat Tea Plantation. Later, because the layers of tea trees surrounded the area in a pattern resembling the Bagua (Eight Trigrams), it also became known as the Bagua Tea Plantation. The endless expanse of emerald-green tea fields, paired with tranquil mountain and forest scenery, has made this spot a popular filming location for advertisers and a magnet for photography enthusiasts.

3. Nantou - Wujie Happy Tea Plantation
 
Located in the Ren’ai Township, the Wujie Happy Tea Plantation camping area offers an exceptional vantage point. Not only can you enjoy sunrise and sea of clouds, but at night you can also witness a glass-like night sky and the Milky Way, making it a five-star level camping experience.

The tea fields in Wujie benefit from tea plants growing at elevations above 1,400–1,500 meters in an area covered by clouds all year round, which helps cultivate high-quality high-mountain oolong tea. Visitors to this place can also experience the fragrance of the tea plantation.

4. Alishan – Bihu Mountain Tea Plantation
 
The Bihu Sightseeing Tea Plantation is located at an altitude of 1,000 to 1,200 meters. On clear days, you can clearly see the main peak of Yushan and gaze into the distance at the converging mountain ranges of four Taiwanese counties—an extraordinary sight. The tea plantation is usually enshrouded in clouds and mist, presenting ever-changing views, often featuring vast seas of clouds, making it one of the emerging tourist spots in the Meishan mountain area. The park offers services such as tea tasting, dining, and homestay accommodations.