Maokong, Tea cultivation area in Wenshan District, Taiwan
Maokong is a tea cultivation area spread across mountain slopes where growers produce different oolong varieties including Tieguanyin and Baozhong at higher elevations. The region features steep hillside plantations that shape the landscape across numerous valleys and ridges.
The name Maokong comes from masked palm civets that lived in the valley during Taiwan's Japanese colonial period, historically recorded as Bakan. This historical name references the wildlife that once defined the area before tea farming became dominant.
Tea houses throughout Maokong display traditional brewing rituals that visitors can watch and learn from the skilled attendants. These gathering spaces have become places where locals and tourists alike spend time enjoying tea together and sharing conversation.
The Maokong Gondola provides convenient access from Taipei Zoo to the area by connecting multiple stations along the route. Visitors should note that service runs daily except Mondays, so plan visits accordingly to avoid travel disruptions.
Local restaurants incorporate tea as an ingredient in many dishes, from noodles cooked with tea oil to desserts flavored with tea. These culinary creations reveal how deeply tea is woven into daily life throughout the region.
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