Maokong Tea Plantation

Sip the national cup in a tranquil teahouse
Noteworthy for: Maokong supplies most of the tea to the entire Taipei region.

Word to the wise: Despite being Taiwan's traditional beverage, much is now imported cheaply. Local tea is more expensive, though far superior for any tea aficionado.
Tipple of choice: An Oolong tea 鐵觀音 (tiěguānyīn) is the signature leaf grown here.

Perched in the verdant mountains of Muzha in southern Taipei, Maokong is famous for its tea plantations. Trails wind through the leafy fields where farmers work in the cool mountainous climes.

The well-signposted main road of the sleepy village here is lined with cozy teashops, open 24/7. Many have private booths with great views across the glittering cityscape of Taipei in the distance. Take your pick; each lets you linger over a variety of local leaves and light meals of roughly the same calibre. There are no rigid ceremonies such as you'll find in Japan, though the first cup of every brew is discarded as de rigueur.

Access the plantation by taking the MRT to Taipei Zoo station and transferring to the Maokong gondola (NTD 50), or if heights aren't your thing, take an inexpensive taxi from the MRT station up the hill.