A Fragrant Tea Mountain, an Ancient Old Street, and a Leisurely Day Trip to Longtan

Text and photos by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Travel Life Network

 

When visiting Taoyuan, most people would think of the classic architecture and delicious snacks on Daxi Old Street, as well as the elegantly designed Daxi Bridge. However, in Longtan, besides vast tea plantations perfect for sightseeing and tea tasting, and century-old tea factories where you can learn about the tea-making process, the so-called “No.1 Street of Longtan”—Sankeng Old Street—not only features one of the hottest cycling paths for a green biking adventure but also showcases the cultural charm and local characteristics comparable to Daxi Old Street through its spiritual hub, Yongfu Temple, and the quaint Old Cottage Coffee nearby.

Taoyuan’s Longtan Township sits at an elevation of around 300 meters. With year-round rainfall, high humidity, and acidic red soil rich in iron—ideal for tea tree growth—it has become an important tea-producing region in northern Taiwan, home to the most common tea variety in Taoyuazhuzhi–Qingxin Oolong. The Sanshui Tea Garden, which has been passed down through three generations since its establishment over 60 years ago, was not only the filming site for the Tea King advertisement, but the locally produced tea is also supplied to Tea King for commercial use. Additionally, during the Mangzhong to Summer Solstice period, tea farmers harvest young buds that have been bitten by small green leafhoppers, turning them into the garden’s most famous Oriental Beauty Tea. According to the tea farmers, the more severely bitten the buds, the more precious they are.

Strolling through the winding tea fields, visitors can enjoy the fun of tea picking and tasting during the production season. In the off-season, after admiring the serene tea mountain scenery, you can also sample three types of tea: black tea, Longquan tea, and Oriental Beauty Tea. Among them, the famous Oriental Beauty Tea boasts a sweet aroma with hints of honey, smooth and mellow, making it a must-try delicacy for visitors.

Established in the early years of the Republic of China, Fuyuan Tea Factory initially focused on tea cultivation before gradually transitioning to purchasing tea from surrounding farmers and reselling it to foreign trading companies and merchant groups. By the 38th year of the Republic of China, the factory was officially built and entered its peak mass-production period, with annual output exceeding one million kilograms at its height.

At the century-old Fuyuan Tea Factory, led by the fifth-generation owner Huang Zhengwei, every step of the tea-making process—including tea plucking, withering, pan-firing, rolling, drying, and sorting—will be explained in detail. You can also view the factory’s historic tea-making tools for an in-depth look at tea production. Additionally, Fuyuan Tea Factory offers the rare chance to taste “Sour Tangerine Tea.”