Maokong Gondola
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Maokong Gondola

Taipei, Taiwan
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Maokong Gondola

Photo by Lê Hồng Sơn Nguyễn

Above forested hills on the edge of southern Taipei, slender cabins glide along cables, revealing wide cityscapes and tea fields below. The Maokong Gondola floats high above the ordinary, offering both a scenic journey and a vivid slice of local life. Families, hikers, and sightseers seek out this cable car line for more than just its sweeping views—they come for the blend of nature, tradition, and a touch of adventure found nowhere else in Taiwan.

Visiting Info

Currency
Entrance fee
120 TWD
Hours
Opening hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Contact Information

Location
Address
No. 8, Section 2, Xinguang Rd, Wenshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 116
Phone
Website

Planning your visit

Travelers looking to make the most of the Maokong Gondola should consider timing, accessibility, and comfort ahead of arrival. This popular spot draws crowds during holidays, weekends, and cherry blossom season, but quieter windows reward with a more tranquil ride. Public transport connects easily to the gondola’s entrance, and the experience can be tailored for everyone—from solo explorers to families with young children or grandparents. Buying tickets in advance, especially on busy days, saves time and stress.

  • Best time to visit: Weekdays or early mornings for fewer crowds; late afternoons for sunset views, with mild temperatures in spring and autumn
  • How to get there: Take Taipei Metro (Wenshan Line) to Taipei Zoo Station, then walk a few minutes to the gondola base
  • Accessibility: Wheelchair- and stroller-friendly cabins available; helpful staff assist families and seniors
  • Average visit duration: 2 to 4 hours, allowing time for tea or hiking at the top

Must see stuff

The Maokong Gondola experience stretches beyond the ride itself. Starting from the leafy Taipei Zoo base, four stations provide gateways to mountain paths, leafy rest stops, and tea culture steeped in centuries of tradition. Glass-bottom Crystal Cabins thrill the brave with see-through floors, while panoramic lookout points tempt photographers. At the summit, narrow lanes wind through centuries-old teahouses and outdoor patios shaded by camphor trees. Every visitor finds high-altitude discoveries among quiet temples, family-run farms, and lush walking trails.

  • Key sights or features: The 4.3-kilometer gondola route, Crystal Cabins with glass floors, panoramic city and mountain views
  • Unique experiences: Sipping high-mountain tea at a historic teahouse, exploring Zhanghu Trail, visiting the Zhinan Temple with dragon carvings and incense smoke
  • Photo-worthy locations: Maokong Station observation deck at sunset, views over Taipei 101, lush tea plantations seen from above
  • Cultural or historical facts: Maokong has supplied Taipei’s tea houses since the Qing Dynasty, and locals still harvest oolongs by hand each spring

Tips for your visit

Some simple preparations and local know-how help visitors make the most of Maokong Gondola while sidestepping minor hassles. Sun can get strong on clear days, and rain rolls in quickly during monsoon season, sometimes delaying service. Hungry travelers will want to save room for snacks at the top, where street food and tea-house treats tempt from every corner. Respect for quiet spots and temple customs keeps the experience peaceful for all, even as children laugh or couples snap photos beside the clouds.

  • Best times to avoid crowds: Weekday mornings or mid-afternoon, except on school holidays
  • What to bring: Lightweight jacket, water, sunblock, camera, comfortable shoes for hillside paths
  • Local etiquette or rules: Stay quiet in temples, take shoes off in select teahouses, line up patiently for gondola cabins
  • Safety or comfort advice: Expect brief stops for weather or maintenance; hold onto children when boarding; carry light snacks if planning to hike