Looking for things to do in Taipei beyond the usual city attractions? The Maokong area offers one of the most relaxing escapes just outside the city, combining mountain views, cable car rides, and traditional tea culture.
In this trip, I experienced the Maokong Gondola using the Taipei Fun Pass, followed by a slow afternoon of tea tasting and local food in the mountains.
Using the Taipei Fun Pass, we traveled from Taipei Main Station to Taipei Zoo. Our initial plan was to start at the zoo and take the Maokong Gondola upward. However, while waiting for the zoo to open, I learned that it is already located in a slightly elevated area near the foothills. So we decided to reverse our route instead, starting at Maokong and making our way down.
Route:
• Taipei Main Station → Zhongxiao Fuxing (Red Line)
• Transfer to Brown Line → Taipei Zoo Station
• Walk ~5 minutes to the gondola station
In this trip, I experienced the Maokong Gondola using the Taipei Fun Pass, followed by a slow afternoon of tea tasting and local food in the mountains.
Using the Taipei Fun Pass, we traveled from Taipei Main Station to Taipei Zoo. Our initial plan was to start at the zoo and take the Maokong Gondola upward. However, while waiting for the zoo to open, I learned that it is already located in a slightly elevated area near the foothills. So we decided to reverse our route instead, starting at Maokong and making our way down.
Route:
• Taipei Main Station → Zhongxiao Fuxing (Red Line)
• Transfer to Brown Line → Taipei Zoo Station
• Walk ~5 minutes to the gondola station
A Scenic Ride on the Maokong Gondola
The journey began with the Maokong Gondola, one of Taipei’s most unique and scenic attractions. At the station, we simply scanned our Taipei Fun Pass to redeem the cable car ticket, making the process quick and convenient.
By the time we stepped onto the gondola, we weren’t just heading up a mountain; we were slowly leaving the city’s noise behind and entering a completely different rhythm of Taipei.
As the gondola slowly climbed, the city gradually faded into layers of green mountains. In the distance, we could even spot the iconic Taipei 101, reminding us how close the city still was, even as everything around us felt calmer and more distant.
How It Compares to Other Cable Cars in Asia
Having tried cable cars in other parts of Asia, I couldn’t help but compare the experience.
The Singapore Cable Car feels sleek and modern. You glide above harbors, ships, and city skylines, heading toward places like Sentosa Island. It’s polished and very much part of the urban experience.
The Ngong Ping 360 in Hong Kong is more scenic and iconic, with sweeping views of mountains, sea, and the famous Big Buddha as you approach Lantau Island’s cultural landmarks.
Meanwhile, the Ba Na Hills Cable Car in Vietnam is on a completely different scale, longer, higher, and more dramatic. The ride cuts through thick jungle and clouds, leading to the famous Golden Bridge and a mountaintop complex that feels almost surreal.
But the Maokong Gondola is different.
If Singapore is modern, Ngong Ping is scenic and iconic, and Da Nang is grand, Maokong is calm and soulful.
Slowing Down in Maokong
By the time we reached the top, the energy of the city had completely faded. The air felt fresher, the surroundings quieter, and everything seemed to move at a slower pace.
Maokong isn’t a place you rush through; it’s a place where you pause.
And the best way to do that? With tea.
We walked to Maokong Redwood House to experience a tea ceremony.
A Taste of Taiwanese Tea Culture
Maokong is famous for its tea, especially Taiwanese oolong, and visiting a teahouse here feels like stepping into a tradition passed down for generations.
At Maokong Redwood House, we decided to try the tea experience for NTD100 per person. It felt like the perfect way to slow down and fully immerse ourselves in the moment.
What made it even more meaningful was that it wasn’t just about drinking tea. We were given paper, an envelope, and a brush pen, and invited to write a letter, our wishes, thoughts, or dreams.
After writing, the staff carefully sealed it with wax, placing both the letter and a tea bag inside the envelope. They told us to keep it and open it after one year while enjoying the tea.
For something so simple, it felt surprisingly personal and memorable, a small moment we know we’ll look forward to in the future. I just have to remember where I placed the envelope so I can actually open it when the time comes.
Lunch with a View
Many restaurants in Maokong are designed to highlight the scenery, with open terraces and wide windows facing the mountains. The combination of fresh air, good food, and sweeping views makes even a simple meal feel more special than usual.
After the tea ceremony at Maokong Redwood House, we went to a nearby restaurant just a few steps away. While waiting earlier, we had already checked the printed menu outside, so we knew exactly what to order.
We decided on the 5-course and 4-rice set meal for NTD 1,600 + Service Charge. It included:
Fried fish fillet with sweet and sour sauce
Sliced boiled pork with garlic sauce
Braised Makino bamboo shoots
Seasonal vegetables
Chicken soup
Bottled soft drinks
The food arrived quickly, and everything was enjoyable. The portion was generous, meant for about four people, but even though we were hungry, we still couldn’t finish everything. We even had some chicken soup left behind.
After lunch, we noticed the tea ice cream for NTD 90 near the entrance and decided to try it. It wasn’t something we would normally crave, but it was a fun experience and something new to remember from Maokong.
The Maokong Gondola may be what brings you up the mountain, but it’s not the main reason you’ll remember it.
What stays with you are the quiet moments, the tea ceremony, the mountain air, the slow meals, and the feeling of simply being present without rushing anywhere.
In a city as vibrant as Taipei, Maokong offers something rare: a chance to slow down.
But eventually, we had to leave because we still had another stop waiting for us at Taipei Zoo.
Maokong Gondola
No. 8, Section 2, Xinguang Road, Wenshan District, Taipei City
Access: MRT Taipei Zoo Station (Exit 2)
Maokong Tea Ceremony Experience
Alley 33, Lane 38, Section 3, Zhinan Road, Wenshan District, Taipei City
Access: Maokong Gondola to Maokong Station
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