Yan Zhou
Quick Guide To Maokong
Gondola stuck? No English signs? I've seen panic on my guests' faces when they first step into Maokong. The good news? It's not as tricky as it looks. Maokong is a must-do near Taipei—tea plantations, cable car rides, and a killer city view. But without a little insider know-how, you'll waste time figuring out tickets and tea-ordering. Let me break it down so you can enjoy the scenery without the headache.
Here's the truth: the best time to ride is 3pm, not 10am. Most tourists crowd the morning, but you want to arrive around 3, have tea, watch the sunset, then ride down in the dark when Taipei lights up. Keep reading—I'll walk you through the exact steps from the MRT to the mountaintop.
How to Get to Maokong
Getting to Maokong is easy if you know the right station. Take the Taipei Metro Wenhu Line (brown line) to Taipei Zoo Station. Exit from Exit 2, then walk straight for about 3 minutes. You'll see signs for the Maokong Gondola—just follow the crowd of families and couples. Don't take the zoo shuttle bus; it's slow and confusing. The gondola entrance is right there, with ticket booths clearly marked.
Maokong Gondola: Tips for English Speakers
The gondola has two types: regular cabins and the Crystal Cabins with glass floors. The crystal ones are fun but wait times can be 30 minutes longer. My advice? Take a regular cabin on the way up, and if you want crystal, do it on the way down when lines are shorter. The ride takes about 20–30 minutes one way, with a transfer station at Zhinan Temple. Stay on unless you want to visit the temple.
Tickets: Single journey NT$120, round-trip NT$240. If you tap EasyCard, it deducts automatically. Children under 6 free. And yes, the gondola closes on Mondays for maintenance. Check the weather too—if it's stormy, they suspend service.
During the ride, look left for a great view of Taipei Basin on clear days. Right side is mostly greenery. The cable car climbs steeply—bring a light jacket because the altitude makes it cooler.
Best Tea Houses with English Menus
Getting off at Maokong Station, you're at 300 meters elevation. The main street (Zhinan Road Section 3) is lined with tea houses. But not all have English menus. Here are three that are foreigner-friendly:
| Tea House | Address / How to find | Must-try | Price range (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MaoKong Tea House | No. 15, Lane 38, Sec. 3, Zhinan Rd (right at the station exit, turn left) | High-mountain oolong with traditional nut snacks | NT$200–400 |
| Zhang's Tea Garden | No. 19, Lane 38 (50m further up the alley) | Iron Goddess (Tieguanyin) & homemade tea cake | NT$250–500 |
| Yao Yue Tea House | No. 10, Lane 38 (sign in English, big terrace) | Oriental Beauty (Bai Hao) and mango shaved ice | NT$300–600 |
At these places, the staff can usually explain the tea in simple English or hand you a picture menu. I always tell my clients to order a pot of Oriental Beauty—it's a lightly oxidized oolong with a natural honey scent that pairs perfectly with the mountain air. You can also buy tea leaves to bring home; they'll vacuum-pack it for you.
Where to Catch the Best Night View
Maokong's night view of Taipei is legendary. The best spot is not at the main station plaza—too crowded with vendors. Walk about 5 minutes south along Zhinan Road toward the Taipei Tea Promotion Center. Just before the center, there's an observation deck (no name, but you'll see a pavilion). It offers an unobstructed view of Taipei 101 and the city lights.
Sunset time varies by season. Aim to be at the deck by 5pm in winter, 6pm in summer. Bring a small flashlight for the walk back—it's not well lit. Another hidden gem is the second-floor balcony of Zhang's Tea Garden. I usually book a table there for my small groups, as they can enjoy tea while the city lights up.
What to Eat in Maokong
Tea isn't the only thing. Maokong's street food is surprisingly good. The top things to try:
- Tea-flavored tofu pudding (甜茶豆花) – A soft tofu dessert with sweet tea syrup and red beans. Available at stalls near the gondola station.
- Tea oil chicken (茶油雞) – Stir-fried chicken with camellia oil, ginger, and basil. Get it at MaoKong Tea House; they serve it family-style. NT$350 per portion.
- Tea leaf fried rice (茶葉炒飯) – Fragrant jasmine rice stir-fried with young tea leaves and egg. I recommend the one at Yao Yue Tea House—they don't skimp on the tea.
- Bamboo tube rice (竹筒飯) – Sticky rice cooked in a bamboo tube, served with a tea leaf garnish. It's more of a novelty, but the bamboo aroma is lovely.
For a quick bite, grab a tea ice cream cone at the station plaza—matcha-like flavor but lighter.
One thing that might frustrate you: many small stalls only accept cash. Carry about NT$500–1,000 in small bills. The tea houses usually accept credit cards (Visa/MC) but not Amex.
FAQ
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.
Visited Maokong with my parents who don't speak a word of English, and surprisingly we had zero issues. The gondola station has clear signage in English and Chinese, and every tea house we stopped at had picture menus or English translations. The view from the top is postcard-perfect, especially at dusk. We spent three hours just walking the trails and drinking tea. Already planning to come back!
Perfect evening trip. We took the gondola right before golden hour and the whole mountain was glowing. Found a cozy tea house with a balcony overlooking Taipei 101. The staff helped us pick a Tieguanyin that was smooth and floral. No rush, just sipping tea watching the city lights flicker on. One of the most relaxing experiences in Taiwan. Five stars!
I really wanted to love Maokong but the gondola queue was over an hour on a Saturday afternoon—nobody warned us. The tea houses are nice but felt overpriced for what you get (NT$250 for a small pot?). The night view is decent but not mind-blowing. Maybe okay if you go on a weekday, but I left a bit disappointed.
Absolute must-do in Taipei! The gondola is smooth and the glass-bottom cars give you a thrill. Once at the top, the tea tasting experience was incredible—our host spoke perfect English and explained the whole roasting process. We stayed until sunset and the city lights below were magical. No language barrier at all for us. Highly recommend the combo ticket!
Honestly, the gondola ride up to Maokong is worth it just for the view—soaring over Taipei with the city shrinking below. The tea houses are charming but I wish there were more English explanations on the menu. I ordered what I thought was oolong and got something very different. Still, the night view from the terrace was stunning. Just be prepared to use Google Translate a bit.