Wow Taiwan Tea Master Tour | Tea Mountains Culture Tour | Blue Magpie Tea
Wow Taiwan provides half-day and day-long tours and experiential learning trips in villages across northern Taiwan. They offer several Slow Tea Tours, notably the Tea Master Tour as well as the Tea Mountains Culture Tour both in Pinglin.
“Whether sampling the local brews, making conversation with shop owners on its Old Street or watching the sun emerge from behind its hills, Pinglin encourages visitors to slow down, and bring into focus the simpler pleasures in life.”
Hands-on experience
- Following lunch, participants will have an opportunity to learn how to pan-fry tea by hand from local tea masters.
- There are several opportunities to drink tea: after lunch, in a tea ceremony beside the river, and in tea giveaways by the conclusion of the tour.
- Depending on the tour selected, there are many opportunities to interact with the community outside of the gardens. Other opportunities include a local food tour, jogging alongside the river, a river walk, and a tour in Shiding offers the opportunity to learn from a master of mud painting.
Cultural engagement
- In the Tea Mountains Culture Tour, guests will visit the Pinglin Tea Museum (among the largest tea museums in the world) in the morning.
- As part of lunch, participants will be brought to a farmer’s home where they can enjoy traditional-style food prepared by the tea farmers.
- The website content is published in both traditional Chinese and English.
Local involvement
- It is unclear who the stakeholders are and to what degree women entrepreneurship and representation exist.
- Wow Taiwan is promoted for both local and international nature enthusiasts.
Environmental sustainability
- Pinglin is Taiwan’s first eco-village. They do not use fertilizer and instead use nature to nurture nature.
- The biodiversity of the region is cherished and taught to participants. “In this designated conservation area, numerous species of flora and fauna, birds and other wildlife thrive in its pristine waters and forests, and natural beauty abounds.” The Formosa Blue Magpie is an endemic bird to Taiwan and is the inspiration behind the name of their Tea Master Tour.
Although they do not reference any homestays, it is worth inquiring by writing to the organization.
– Anesce Dremen
Traveling to origin is an unforgettable experience for tea enthusiasts who respect the host community. Responsible tourism generates economic benefits for local people and an appreciation of village life in the tea lands. Tea Journey evaluates tourist destinations including landmarks, museums, and promotes host gardens that demonstrate a commitment to environmental sustainability, and cultural engagement while providing hands-on experience in tea cultivation, production, and tea culture. – Dan Bolton
Destinations
Kurseong, India | Pinglin, Taiwan | Hiyashi Sonogi, Japan
