Best Tea Houses in Maokong: A First-Timer's Area Guide
Maokong is Taipei's own tea district — gondola-reached hillside teahouses with city views. Here's how to choose a Maokong tea-house experience and what kind of traveler it suits.
By David Wu · Updated June 3, 2026 · 6 min read
Taipei's own tea hills
Most capital cities don't grow tea. Taipei does. Maokong, in the Wenshan district to the city's south, is a working tea area turned beloved teahouse destination — close enough for an easy outing, high enough to feel a world away.
How honest these picks are
Leaf Guide hasn't visited these venues in person yet. The two teahouses below are source-backed — compiled from each venue's official information and government tourism listings — with visits still pending. Treat them as well-sourced starting points rather than visited reviews, and check current details before you go. We're still expanding verified Maokong coverage and will deepen these entries after visiting.
Two source-backed Maokong teahouses
- Yaoyue Teahouse (邀月茶坊) — best for a relaxed sit-down with food: known for local Tieguanyin and Baozhong alongside tea-infused dishes, in forested open-air seating off Zhinan Road.
- Liujixiang / Six Seasons (六季香) — best for views over the terraces: set among working tea plants near the top of the valley, known for on-site-grown Tieguanyin and four-seasons oolong.
Pick Yaoyue if you want a meal with your tea, Liujixiang if you want to sit closest to the tea fields. Browse Maokong tea houses in the directory, where each has a full entry with source links.
How to choose on the day
If you wander beyond these two, pick a hillside teahouse with a view and an unhurried feel; most serve the local Tieguanyin and offer simple tea-infused food. Judge by the room and the cup, not the signage.
The local tea
Maokong's specialty is Tieguanyin, a roasted, fragrant oolong. The surrounding area also produces light, floral Baozhong, so you can easily contrast a roasted and a floral style in one sitting.
Getting there
The Maokong Gondola is the signature route up, carrying visitors over the hills. The ride itself, with glass-floor cabins on some cars, is part of the experience.
Best for which traveler
Maokong suits visitors who want tea, views, and a short walk without committing to a full day trip — a relaxed half-day from central Taipei.
Plan it
See our Maokong region guide for context, our Maokong half-day itinerary for a structure, and the Taipei tea route to combine it with city tea houses. For the venues in one place, see the Maokong area page.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which is the best tea house in Maokong?
- We don't crown a single 'best.' Two source-backed Maokong teahouses suit different moods: Yaoyue (邀月茶坊) is known for tea-infused meals and forested seating, while Liujixiang / Six Seasons (六季香) sits among working terraces with open views toward the city. Both are compiled from official and tourism sources; Leaf Guide visits are still pending, so check the venues' own details before going.
- How do I get to Maokong?
- The signature way is the Maokong Gondola, which lifts visitors over the hills into the tea district. It is the iconic access route from the city.
- What tea will I drink in Maokong?
- Maokong's local specialty is Tieguanyin, a fragrant, often roasted oolong, with light Baozhong-style teas produced in the surrounding Wenshan area.
- Is Maokong worth it for tea?
- Yes, for a relaxed half-day — the draw is hillside teahouses with views over Taipei, plus short walks and tea-infused food, all close to the city.
- Best for which kind of traveler?
- Visitors who want a genuine tea experience without leaving Taipei for long, and who enjoy a loose, scenic, unhurried afternoon.