Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pinglin
02 / POP 7000
Pinglin (Pínglín), which means 'forest on level ground', is famous nationwide for its
honey-flavoured bao chung tea (a type of oolong). Less than an hour from Taipei by bus
(about 26km east of Xindian), or a couple of hours by bike, the region is well loved by
day trippers for its emerald mountain landscape, picture-perfect tea fields, scenic moun-
tain roads, and clear, swimmable rivers teeming with fish. The town also features a tea
museum that's worth visiting if you're in the area.
Sights
Tea Museum
MUSEUM
(Cháyè Bówùguǎn; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, to 6pm Sat & Sun, closed first Mon of each month)
The two floors of this classically designed museum feature displays, dioramas, charts,
equipment and, of course, tea in all its forms. There are sections on the history of tea pro-
duction in Taiwan and China, the culture of tea drinking, and tea-making methods over
the centuries. All exhibits have complete English translations.
Activities
Cycling
Pinglin's 20km bike path is a beautiful ride across tea fields and up the lush Jingualiao
River valley. You can rent OK bikes on the main street (per hour NT$100 to NT$150, per
subsequent hour NT$50) and pick up a map at the
visitor centre
(
9am-5pm)
, though
once you are on the path it is well marked.
Many cyclists now ride to Pinglin from Taipei as a day trip or part of an extended jour-
ney to the coast. All the routes are pretty simple to follow.
Bitan to Xiaogetou (& Pinglin)
CYCLING
This loop ride starts at Bitan, climbs up Provincial Hwy 9 to
Xiaogetou
(about 15km)
and then drops back towards Taipei on the winding 47 or 47-1. The latter roads run along
steep mountainsides before dropping into Shihting. From there it's a flat ride back to
Taipei on the 106 via Muzha and the city bike paths.
