I want to take some visitors up to Mucha for a hike in the hills and then a relaxing afternoon of tea drinking. I would like to find a place with a nice view, pleasant atmosphere and of course, good tea. If it is close to a nice hiking trail, that would be a plus too.
Anyone have a favorite tea house in Mucha?
Address or directions would be great!
Thanks!
Mrs. Monk
I’d PM Muzha Man… I recall him talking about great Muzha tea houses.
This one’s nothing flash on the outside (or inside) but it has a fantastic view out over Taipei from an open-air style restaurant with some really good local food.
The Chinese name is ‘Big Tea something-or-other’.
The adress is really the only way I can help you find it. Zhinan Rd Sec 3, Lane 38, No.37-1.
This is right up the top of Maocon (tea mountain). Lane 38 is not a back lane, but the main road that goes up the side of the Maocon valley. This place is on the road right at the top (before it starts going down again), on the view side of the road.
Brian
There seems to be a division between great tea and good food. If you want the good food, then the more humble establishments are for you. They still have a good view but are more basic.
If you want great tea there are quite a few, but I would recommend the one at the top of the hill. Sorry, I forgot the name, but you should be able to spot it as it is the most posh place near the top. It has glass partitions in the floor and you can see the carp swimming below. Additionally, the view is fantastic. Very nice for a group or a couple. Anyone know the name?
Just saw this thread. Here’s another one about Maokong.
[Forumosa - Taiwan's largest and most active Taiwan-oriented global online community in English … kong#83259](The Marvelous Tea Houses of Maokong - #5 by Mucha_Man
This thread describes my favorite teahouse. It’s set in an 150 year old traditional house and surrounded by gardens. It’s also connected to some good hiking trails.
In general, Maokong is looking better and better. More places are starting to fix themselves up.
This place is nothing special but it leads to some good hiking trails:
Chenxi Teahouse (晨曦茶坊; address: 指南路3段34巷53號. When you get off the bus, go through the arch and head up and right. Take the stairs and at the top look for a map. You’ll see trails going in all directions. Watch out for snakes this time of year.
If you want to get to a good teahouse keep going and when the road forks go right. About a kilometre or down you’ll see a sign in English for PLC Tea tavern (紅木屋休閒茶館; address: 指南路3段38巷33號). The building looks pretty shabby from the road but go down the stairs to the left and you’ll find a warm, nice brick tiled balconey with a great view across a lush undeveloped valley. The famous Zhinan Temple sits on the hilliside opposite.
To get to Maokong take the MRT to the zoo. Catch the
No15 bus. It leaves every hour on weekdays and every half hour on weekends. Tell the bus driver where you want to get off or show him the address of one of the above places.
Which hill are you taking about? I’ve never seen a teahouse in Maokong with glass floors. I’m excited. Explain how to get there if you can. What’s the view?
We ended up at a place called Yao Yue 邀月 up in Makong (Zhinan Rd Sec. 3 Lane 40 #6). We liked it so much we actually went back a second time! There are several different seating areas. None have paricularly good views of the city as they aren’t high enough, but there are some quiet little pavillions set in the valley with Taiwan’s great tropical foliage all around. There were pavillions set up for just a few people and others that would accommodate maybe a dozen people.
As the weather was hot, we went for a light tea. We had a oolong the first time and a baozhong the second time and both were good - though I liked the oolong better. We didn’t have any food while there, but they had a nice selection of snacks.
It probably isn’t the nicest or fanciest one up there - but sitting in a little pavillion amongst the trees made it worthwhile for me and my guests.
Glad you still found something. If you want a good city view hike up to Zhinan Temple or the temple at the back of Jenda University. I do declare that the city views from Mucha are superior to those of Tienmu or Yamgmingshan.