Maokong Gondola: Tea Plantations & Scenic Views (2026)

The Maokong Gondola is one of Taipei’s most unique attractions: a 4-kilometre cable car lifting you from the urban edge of the city up into the working tea plantations of Muzha, with panoramic views over the entire Taipei basin and Taipei 101 in the distance. The gondola was built in 2007 to bring tourists to Maokong’s traditional tea houses, and 18 years later it remains one of the best half-day or full-day excursions in the city. This Maokong Gondola guide covers ticket prices, the famous crystal-cabin route, the best tea houses at the top, hiking options, how to combine with the Taipei Zoo at the base, and the best time of day to ride.

What Is the Maokong Gondola?

The Maokong Gondola (貓空纜車) is an aerial cable car system operating on the Wenshan hills in southeastern Taipei. The system has four stations: Taipei Zoo (the city-base station), Taipei Zoo South, Zhinan Temple, and Maokong (the hilltop terminus). Total ride length 4 km, takes about 25-30 minutes end-to-end. Cabins are eight-passenger enclosed cabins. The route climbs about 275 metres of elevation, providing dramatic views over Taipei.

Why ride the gondola: Maokong was Taipei’s traditional Tieguanyin tea-growing area for over a century. The gondola opened access to the hilltop tea houses for tourists who do not want to make the steep drive or hike. Today the Maokong area combines working tea farms, hilltop restaurants and cafes, hiking trails, and an active local tea-culture scene.

For most visitors, Maokong Gondola is a 3-5 hour half-day trip combining a tea house lunch, a short walk, and the cable car experience itself. For those interested in tea or hiking, it can fill a full day.

Ticket Prices and How to Buy

2026 Maokong Gondola pricing:

Single ride: NT$120 adult one way. Includes regular cabin.

Round trip: NT$240 adult. The most common ticket.

EasyCard discount: Tap your EasyCard at the gate; deducts NT$100 per ride (saving NT$20-40 over cash purchase).

Crystal Cabin upgrade: NT$30 supplement each way. The crystal cabins have a glass floor for additional views. Limited supply – book ahead or arrive early on weekends.

Day pass: Unlimited gondola rides for one day, NT$200. Useful if you plan multi-trip rides between stations.

Children: NT$60 single, NT$120 round trip. Under 6 free with adult.

Seniors (65+): NT$60 single with passport ID.

Tickets sold at the entrance station (Taipei Zoo South Station, top of the MRT exit) or via the EasyCard. Klook and KKDay also sell pre-bought tickets with some discounts; useful for fast-pass access to the Crystal Cabin.

How to Get to the Maokong Gondola

The gondola entrance is at Taipei Zoo South Station, immediately adjacent to the Taipei Zoo MRT terminus.

By MRT: Take the Brown Line to Taipei Zoo Station (the last stop). The Maokong Gondola is a 5-minute walk from MRT Exit 2. Total travel time from central Taipei: 30-40 minutes.

By taxi: NT$300-500 from central Taipei.

By bus: Multiple buses serve Taipei Zoo; use Bus 236, 237, 282, 295, or 611 from various central Taipei points. Buses are slower than the MRT.

Driving: Parking at Taipei Zoo South Station for NT$30/hour. Avoid weekend driving – parking fills up.

The MRT is the easiest option. Buy a one-day MRT pass (NT$180) plus the gondola ticket (NT$240) for the smoothest day.

Operating Hours and Best Time to Ride

The Maokong Gondola operates Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-9pm (last ride up at 8:30pm).

Closed Mondays for maintenance. Plan accordingly.

Best time to ride: Late afternoon (3-5pm). This lets you:

Ride up in good daylight for the views.

Have an early dinner or tea at one of the hilltop restaurants.

Ride back down at sunset (5:30-6:30pm depending on season) for the most photogenic experience.

Avoid the midday crowds.

Avoid the peak weekend morning rush.

Avoid: Foggy or rainy days – the views vanish. Check the weather and the gondola Facebook page (which posts daily visibility updates) before riding.

Weather closures: The gondola closes during typhoons and high winds. Cherry blossom and summer holiday weekends can see long lines.

Last ride considerations: If you ride up at 6pm, you have until 8:30pm to return. Plan ahead.

The Stations and Sights at Each

Taipei Zoo Station

City-base station. This is where you board. Nothing to see here other than the gondola itself and the entrance to Taipei Zoo.

Taipei Zoo South Station

The first stop, used mostly by zoo visitors. Most riders skip this station and continue up.

Zhinan Temple Station

Halfway up the route. Walk 10-15 minutes from the station to Zhinan Temple, an active Taoist temple built in 1890. Free entry. Historic architecture, photogenic at any time of day. The walk through the temple grounds is pleasant. Allow 30-45 minutes for the visit. Some people get off here just to visit the temple, then re-board to continue to Maokong.

Maokong Station (Top)

The hilltop terminus. Walking trails, tea houses, restaurants, and small shops cluster here. Best views of Taipei in clear weather. Most visitors spend 2-4 hours at this station.

What to Do at Maokong

Tea Houses

The classic Maokong activity. Several tea houses operate on the hilltop, each with terraces overlooking Taipei. Most serve Wenshan Baozhong and Muzha Tieguanyin (the local teas) plus food. Notable options:

Yao Yue Tea House (邀月茶坊): The most famous. Large garden, multiple tasting rooms, full lunch menu. NT$200-400 per person for tea plus snacks; NT$600-1,200 for a full meal. Reservations recommended on weekends.

Yuan Mei Tea House (緣味居): Smaller, more intimate. Excellent for solo or couple visits. Strong food menu.

Mountain Hut Tea House (山頂茶廬): Family-friendly with larger group tables. Casual.

Most tea houses combine tea service with traditional Taiwanese food (mountain greens, tea-infused dishes, hot pot). The price-to-experience ratio is excellent.

Hiking Trails

Multiple short and medium hikes from Maokong station. Best options:

Maokong Trail Loop: Easy 60-90 minute walk through the surrounding tea plantations. Marked stone paths.

Erge Tea Trail: 30-60 minute walk through working tea farms with viewpoints over Taipei.

Zhinan Temple Trail: Connects Maokong Station to Zhinan Temple Station via a 60-minute forest walk – downhill option if you want to ride one way.

Tea Promotion Center

The Taipei Tea Promotion Center, a small museum near the Maokong station, explains Taiwan’s tea history and production methods. Free entry. 30-minute visit.

Tea Plantation Visits

Several working tea farms in the area accept visitors. The Zhang Naimiao Tea Farm and others offer tea processing demonstrations during harvest periods (April-May, October-November).

Cafes and Restaurants Beyond Tea Houses

The hilltop has several modern cafes and restaurants beyond the traditional tea houses. Mountain views from terrace seating. Coffee, light meals, desserts NT$200-500 per person.

The Crystal Cabin Experience

The Crystal Cabins are a special version of the gondola with a transparent glass floor. NT$30 supplement each way. Pros: dramatic vertical views including the ground below; great photo opportunities; unique experience. Cons: limited supply means weekend lines; not great for those with vertigo or fear of heights.

About 1 in 8 gondola cars is a Crystal Cabin. Get to the station early on weekends to maximize chances of riding one, or buy advance tickets through Klook for guaranteed Crystal Cabin access.

For solo travelers or couples, the Crystal Cabin is worth the NT$60 round trip premium for the experience. For families with young children, regular cabins are sometimes more comfortable.

Combining Maokong With Taipei Zoo

The Maokong Gondola entrance is directly adjacent to Taipei Zoo. The classic combination is:

Morning: Taipei Zoo (NT$60 entry, kids NT$30). 3-4 hours.

Lunch: At the zoo cafeteria or convenience store snacks.

Afternoon: Maokong Gondola up.

Late afternoon: Tea house experience at Maokong.

Evening: Sunset gondola back down.

Total day: 8-10 hours. Cost per person: NT$300-600 plus food. Excellent combination for families with children who need both zoo time and a “view” experience.

Sample Maokong Gondola Itinerary

Half-Day Visit (4 hours)

3pm: MRT to Taipei Zoo Station. Buy gondola tickets.

3:30pm: Board Maokong Gondola. Ride up (25 minutes).

4pm: Walk around Maokong station. Visit Tea Promotion Center.

4:30pm: Tea house visit (1-2 hours). Yao Yue or Yuan Mei.

6pm: Optional – short walk on the Maokong Trail. Catch sunset views.

7pm: Ride gondola down.

7:30pm: MRT back to central Taipei.

Total cost per person: NT$400-700.

Full-Day Combination (Zoo + Maokong)

9am: Arrive at Taipei Zoo. Spend 3-4 hours.

1pm: Light lunch at zoo cafe.

2pm: Walk to Maokong Gondola. Board.

2:30pm: Get off at Zhinan Temple Station. Visit temple (45 min).

4pm: Re-board to Maokong Station.

4:30pm: Tea house early dinner.

6:30pm: Sunset views.

7pm: Gondola down. MRT home.

Total cost per person: NT$500-900.

What to Bring

Cash: NT$500-1,000. Most tea houses are cash-only. ATM available at Maokong station.

Layers: Maokong is 5-10 °C cooler than central Taipei due to elevation. Add a sweater or light jacket.

Comfortable shoes: Some walking on stone trails. Sneakers are fine.

Rain protection: The Maokong area gets more rain than the city. Compact umbrella or rain jacket.

Water: Bring or buy at the convenience store at the base station.

Camera: Phone is fine. The crystal cabin and sunset views reward good photography.

Tips for the Best Maokong Experience

Check the gondola Facebook page or website before going – they post weather conditions and visibility updates daily.

Closed Mondays for maintenance. Plan around this.

Buy Crystal Cabin ahead on weekends to skip lines.

Reserve tea houses for weekend visits at the popular spots (Yao Yue).

Plan around sunset. Sunset views from Maokong are among the best in Taipei – aim for late afternoon arrival.

Be cabin-aware. Some gondola cars are more crowded; you can ask to wait for a less-full one if the line allows.

Bring extra cash for tea. Local tea houses sell tea by the gram (NT$300-2,000 per 150g tin). Worth bringing some home if you find one you like.

Watch for monkeys. Macaque monkeys live in the surrounding hills. Do not feed them; secure food.

Last gondola. 8:30pm is the last ride up. Make sure you can return down before 9pm (last ride down is around 9pm).

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Maokong Gondola cost?

NT$120 single, NT$240 round trip for adults. EasyCard saves NT$20-40. Children half price. Crystal Cabin supplement NT$30 each way. Klook and KKDay sell pre-booked tickets with small discounts.

How do I get to the Maokong Gondola?

Take the MRT Brown Line to Taipei Zoo Station (the last stop). The Maokong Gondola entrance is a 5-minute walk from MRT Exit 2. Total travel time from central Taipei is 30-40 minutes. Cost NT$25 by MRT.

How long does the Maokong Gondola ride take?

About 25-30 minutes from the city base station to the Maokong hilltop terminus. The route has four stations; you can hop on and off. Round-trip time including a Maokong visit is typically 3-5 hours.

Is the Maokong Gondola worth it?

Yes – it is one of Taipei’s most unique experiences, combining a cable car ride, panoramic city views, hilltop tea houses, and a working tea-plantation area. Half-day visits suit most travelers; full-day combinations with Taipei Zoo work well for families.

What is the Crystal Cabin?

The Crystal Cabin is a special gondola car with a transparent glass floor. NT$30 supplement each way. Limited supply (about 1 in 8 cars). Excellent for photography and adventurous riders; not for those with fear of heights.

When is the best time to ride the Maokong Gondola?

Late afternoon (3-5pm) is the sweet spot – ride up for the views, tea house for an early dinner, return at sunset. Avoid foggy days when visibility disappears. Closed Mondays for maintenance.

What is there to do at Maokong?

Tea houses with city views (Yao Yue, Yuan Mei, Mountain Hut), short hiking trails through tea plantations, the Tea Promotion Center, several cafes, and the surrounding tea farm walks. Most visitors spend 2-4 hours at the top before riding back down.

Are the tea houses at Maokong expensive?

Mid-range. Tea-only service NT$200-400 per person. Full meals NT$600-1,200. Comparable to mid-range Taipei restaurants but with the bonus of mountain views. Yao Yue Tea House is the most famous and slightly pricier.

Can I see Taipei 101 from the Maokong Gondola?

Yes – Taipei 101 is visible from the gondola on clear days and from the Maokong hilltop. The view is one of the most popular photos from the experience. Sunset and twilight views are particularly photogenic.

Is the Maokong Gondola open every day?

No – closed Mondays for maintenance. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9am-9pm with last ride up at 8:30pm. Weather closures occur during typhoons and high winds. Check the gondola’s Facebook page for daily status.

The Bottom Line

This Maokong Gondola guide covers one of Taipei’s most rewarding half-day experiences. A 25-minute cable car ride lifts you from urban Taipei into the working tea plantations of Muzha, with panoramic city views and traditional tea houses at the top. Visit in late afternoon for the sunset, ride the Crystal Cabin if available, have tea or dinner at one of the hilltop houses, and combine with Taipei Zoo for a full family day. At NT$240 round trip plus modest tea house costs, it is one of the best price-to-experience ratios in any major Asian city’s tourist attractions.