Inquiry from an Overseas Netizen: I’m planning a trip to Taiwan soon and would love to pick up some Taiwanese tea along the way. I’ve heard that high mountain teas are the highest quality Taiwan has to offer, and Dayuling tea is considered the most premium among them. Could you tell me where Dayuling tea is produced and how long it takes to get there? Thank you!
Dayuling Tea Origin in Taiwan: Between 100km and 105km on the Central Cross-Island Highway
Liao Chang Xing: Taiwan’s Dayuling tea is not only the highest-altitude tea-growing region in Taiwan, but also in the world. The tea gardens there start at an elevation of 2,200 meters and reach up to 2,650 meters. Dayuling tea is characterized by its cold-mountain qi, floral aroma, and lingering sweet aftertaste. It is beloved not only by locals in Taiwan, but also by tea enthusiasts worldwide.
If you plan to visit the Dayuling tea region in person, you can take National Highway No. 6 to Puli, follow Provincial Highway 14A past Dayuling, connect to Provincial Highway 8, and head toward Lishan. You’ll arrive around the 105K mark. Alternatively, you can approach from Yilan via Provincial Highway 7A, pass Lishan until you reach the Rongxing Police Station at the 100K mark, which marks the start of the Dayuling tea production area. However, road conditions here can be rough; rain or earthquakes sometimes cause landslides, so it’s best to check the road conditions beforehand. If you’re driving, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is highly recommended for easier navigation.
Driving up from Nantou, you will pass Wushe, Cingjing, and other scenic spots, with a journey of about 3 to 4 hours. Coming from Yilan, you will pass Wuling Farm, which also takes about 3 hours—choose whichever route is more convenient for you. Still, it is always wise to check road conditions before setting off. The section between 90K and 110K is very steep and prone to landslides if you aren’t careful. If traffic is blocked, there are no alternative routes, meaning you would have to turn back and drive around half the island.
If visiting the production region in person isn’t a must, you can also order Taiwanese Dayuling tea online. Liao Chang Xing offers safe and convenient door-to-door delivery.
2022 Update: Most Dayuling tea gardens have been cleared by the government, reducing current production to just 1/10 of previous levels, and the maximum elevation has dropped from 2,650 meters to 2,400 meters.