Pingsi Mini Trip: 3 Must-Visit Spots – Experience Tea Picking Like a Local & Taste Goat Milk Treats on the Old Street

▲ Pingsi Old Street (Photo / Reporter Yan Xintong)

ReporterYan Xintong/ Reported from New Taipei

Pingsi is just about a 30-minute drive from the Greater Taipei metropolitan area, making it an easily accessible destination for Taipei residents. Located upstream of the Feitsui Reservoir, Pingsi has preserved a rich ecological environment thanks to stream conservation and fish protection efforts.In Pingsi, you can surprisingly spot tadpoles and emerald tree frogs at Lüguang Organic Farm, enjoy local ingredient-based snacks for lunch prepared by Mom Zhong, visit the Pingsi Tea Industry Museum in the afternoon for a sip of sweet-aftertaste tea, and try woodworking crafts in the evening at Leju House. Why not take a two-day weekend trip to Pingsi and enjoy the leisurely fun of a one-day excursion?

Lüguang Organic Farm
Lüguang Organic Farm is a tea plantation managed using organic farming methods. The owner, Chen Luhé, grew up helping his father farm, pick tea leaves, and process tea. After retiring, seeing the damage caused by chemical fertilizers to agriculture, he was inspired to return to his hometown and grow tea organically. The farm is home to various forms of wildlife, including the emerald tree frog.

▲ Tea picking at Lüguang Organic Farm (Photo / Reporter Yan Xintong)

The farm offers guided eco-tours of the tea fields, where you can see toads’ tadpoles and koi fish swimming freely in the ponds. The habitat of the emerald tree frog is also here. Chen Luhé even uses blue buckets in an attempt to breed the emerald tree frog. Aside from the rich wildlife to observe, visitors can also book experiences such as tea picking and tea processing to enjoy a day as a tea farmer. Those interested in learning about tea can visit Lüguang Organic Farm, where they can taste a variety of teas made by Chen Luhé, including green tea, black tea, oolong tea, Oriental Beauty tea, and Baozhong tea.

Address: No. 11-2, Dasher Lake, Yiguang Village, Pingsi Township, Taipei County
Website:http://www.facebook.com/chenluho

Mom Zhong’s Snacks
Mom Zhong’s Snacks is located on Pingsi Old Street and also runs Dingchen Tea House. The owner, affectionately called Mom Zhong, serves all kinds of dishes that carry the taste of home. All the food ismade with mountain spring water and locally sourced ingredients,so be sure to try a bowl of fragrant fried rice and green tea noodles here. The green tea noodles are mixed with homemade tea oil, offering a rich and aromatic flavor that’s truly unique. There’s also their signature goat milk head dish — a nourishing chicken soup — as well as their famous braised pork rice and homemade fermented tofu, all proud offerings from Mom Zhong.

▲ Mom Zhong’s Snacks is known for its signature braised pork rice (Photo / Reporter Yan Xintong)

Address: No. 32, Pingsi Street, Pingli Neighborhood, Pingsi District, New Taipei City
Website:https://www.facebook.com/teasnackPinglin

Pingsi Tea Industry Museum
The Pingsi Tea Industry Museum is a quadrangle-style building designed in the Minnan-Anxi architectural style. Newly opened on August 29, it features exhibition spaces, hands-on experience areas, and a tea art classroom, using modern and engaging methods to allow visitors to experience Taiwan's tea culture. The museum houses the renowned Tea Merchant Goddess Mazu, a must-visit spot for tea enthusiasts. Stroll along the shaded paths and gaze out from the slightly elevated vantage point — your worries will vanish in an instant.

▲ Pingsi Tea Industry Museum (Photo / Reporter Yan Xintong)

Address: No. 19-1, Shuisongqikeng, Pingsi District, New Taipei City
Phone: 02 2665 6035
Website:www.tea.ntpc.gov.tw/

My Own Tea House
Located within the Pingsi Tea Industry Museum, My Own Tea House is operated by Mingfang Tea House and sells premium teas that let tea lovers experience the joy of brewing. The shop also offers ready-to-drink premium tea in takeaway cups. The owner, Zhong Zhengquan, is a true tea connoisseur. Watching him brew and talk about tea is a treat, and don’t forget to try some tea-infused snacks. They also have aged teas over 40 years old, which have a unique aroma reminiscent of ginseng.

Address: No. 19-1, Shuisongqikeng, Pinglin District, New Taipei City

▲ Only My Tea Hall (Photo / Reporter Yan Xintong)

Leju House
Leju House is an old-style stone cottage that opened in September. It’s perfect for sipping coffee and watching the sunset in the evening, but appointments are required. Located along the road to Jinguailiao, the stone cottage sits atop a rugged spot, with expansive scenery and tea fields stretching out in front. The charming female owner, Zhang Litong, is a woodworking artist with experience as an electrician. Leju House offers a handmade crafting platform, as well as furniture made from driftwood at “Butterfly Workshop.” The menu features wine-infused creations, and the wooden space also hosts small art and cultural exhibitions. Visitors can try their hand at various woodworking, leatherworking, and art projects.

▲ Leju House in Jinguailiao (Photo / Reporter Yan Xintong)

Address: No. 9, Jinguailiao Road, Pinglin District, New Taipei City 232
Phone: 0911 285 011
Website:ftp://ftp.etholiday.com/
 

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