A Mini Tea Journey in Shiding and Pinglin  –  Savor the Bliss of Being Surrounded by Tea Aroma

Photos and text / New Taipei City Government Tourism Bureau

Organized by the New Taipei City Government Tourism Bureau, the “Shiding and Pinglin Tea Country Mini Journey” takes participants on a comfortable medium-sized tour bus to Shiding and Pinglin. They will explore the hidden gems of tea plantations with local tea farmers, learn about the processes of growing, picking, and making tea, and immerse themselves in the warm charm of human connection and fragrant tea.

This mini tea journey is designed to promote local tea culture, featuring a series of all-day in-depth tours. The itinerary includes visiting the Pinglin Tea Museum, enjoying the scenic views of tea plantations, experiencing the process of making Pouchong tea, and trying hands-on DIY plant pounding dyeing. Participants can also savor authentic farm-to-table meals during lunch, enjoy locally inspired herbal teas during afternoon tea, and chat with local tea farmers to appreciate the most beautiful cultural scenery of the tea country.

The Pinglin Tea Museum, which was recently renovated in August this year, features exhibition halls, experience areas, and a tea art classroom. With a creative cultural concept, it introduces tea cultures from both the East and the West. The museum offers various hands-on experiences, regularly hosts themed tea exhibitions, and organizes engaging educational activities that allow visitors to know, smell, and taste tea. Through the moving stories behind the tender one-bud-two-leaf sprouts, visitors can fully understand the history and art of Pinglin tea and rediscover the rich meanings of “tea” in modern society.

The itinerary also allows participants to walk through mountain trails with tea farmers, discovering breathtaking views of layered mountains and sea of clouds. Then, they will stroll through rows of lush tea fields, learning the processes of planting, picking, and making tea directly from the tea farmers. A rustic and traditional farm-style lunch is served at noon. After the meal, participants can try their hand at traditional hand-rolling of tea leaves, learning to appreciate the beauty of traditional craftsmanship through the production of Pouchong tea. Later, they are warmly welcomed by the tea farmers to brew and enjoy a pot of tea, savoring the Pouchong tea they’ve made themselves, chatting over tea, and experiencing the tea-scented ambiance of the plantation.

Beyond enjoying the tea-scented countryside, at the end of the trip, participants can visit the Erge Mountain Nature Center. Guided by lively and engaging environmental educators, they will explore the forest, select their favorite natural plant materials, and use their creativity and observation skills to create their own plant pounding-dyed DIY projects. The resulting beautiful and eco-friendly canvas bags will make memorable souvenirs.

The Shiding and Pinglin Tea Country Mini Journey in New Taipei City opens for registration starting October 7. Trips depart every Tuesday to Friday from October 14, operating in small groups with a maximum of 20 participants per group and a total limit of 500 people. The registration fee is NT$800 per person.
Registration Method: Online registration via New Taipei City Tourism Network http://tour.ntpc.gov.tw