Tea Travel Taiwan Alishan: A New Cultural Tourism Experience

Taiwan’s Oolong tea is renowned the world over and many tea connoisseurs from abroad will travel to the island in search of fine tea. Alishan’s high-mountain tea enjoys an excellent reputation internationally. In recent years, the area’s fine tea and its distinctive humanistic and ecological landscape features have been combined to promote travel itineraries throughout the four seasons. Breaking with the conventional way of drinking tea indoors, tea is now enjoyed against the backdrop of splendid scenery that differs from season to season. This can be on the top of a mountain, in a misty forest, on a tea plantation, in a bamboo grove, under blooming cherry trees, in front of an old house, and beside a wild stream and waterfall. There are many excellent ways to enjoy tea in the Alishan area and soak in the magnificent scenery year round. Refined and indepth tea-based itineraries include eating tasty dishes made with tea, staying in a homestay on a tea plantation, and learning how to brew tea properly, giving you a wide variety of experiences.

In spring, the “Alishan Love Grassland” becomes a microcosm of the distinctive appearances of the various tea plantations in the greater Alishan area. Merging the area’s tea environment atmosphere with elements of local ecology, community gardening, and seasonal flowers, a tea environment is created in which visitors can take in the views of the Alishan Mountain Range. Soaking up the romantic air of this tea-themed space you can taste over 40 excellent high-mountain teas from the Alishan area. The “Spring Grassland Tea Party” is an event that displays local products, distinctive tea-themed cultural-and-creative items, and award-winning teas for sale. It allows you to enjoy tea culture and the aesthetics of humanity and nature while appreciating the wonders of Alishan tea.

In summer, tea is enjoyed on tea plantations, beside huge boulders, in the forest, and in bamboo groves, amidst other natural landscapes, and also beside the iconic mountain railway, accompanied by the seductive strains of Chinese zither music. Tea travel experts prepare fine Alishan spring/summer tea for visitors to try. During the “Summer Tea Party” local teas and culture is shared against a backdrop of Alishan’s mountain forest and railway.

In autumn, tea is enjoyed beside a mountain stream. Charcoal is used to boil the water and the tea utensils are placed on peculiar rocks beside the stream, creating an environment in which all troubles can be forgotten, the cool air filled with tea fragrance. The wild stream literally becomes part of the tea ceremony, giving you an experience of the cool refinement of drinking tea surrounded by nature. The “Autumn Tea Party” combines waterfall, wild stream, bamboo grove, and natural elements, allowing you to feel the cool of the stream and waterfall and see and hear the bamboo swaying in the breeze. Listen to the quiet of nature and enjoy the fresh forest air while savoring the sweet fragrance of fine Alishan high-mountain tea.

Every year at the time of the White Dew, thousands of cattle egrets follow the Qingshui River valley from Meishan Township in Chiayi County, soaring up over the mountain tops and then continue their migration south. This is the only place in Taiwan where such a wonderful natural scene can be witnessed. In Chinese it is known as the extraordinary sight of “10,000 egrets flying towards the Phoenix’s Nest.”

In the cold of winter, the mist that often shrouds the mountains is what makes Alishan high-mountain tea so special, characterized by its fragrance, freshness and understated elegance. The “Winter Tea Party” involves a tea ceremony where you drink fine tea sitting in front of an old house. Enjoy the warmth and tranquility of the mist-shrouded mountain scene, embraced by a relaxing atmosphere far away from the bustle of the city.

Come and visit Alishan any season of the year to experience the amazing life aesthetics born from nature!