Taiwan’s Most Scenic Tea Ceremony: Chiayi County, Part 1
In the foothills of Alishan, a hidden village of just eight farming families offers a glimpse into Taiwan’s rich tea culture. Here, nestled in a lush, moss-covered forest, Andrew Ryan sits down with Chiayi County Chief Weng Chang-liang to experience one of the most unique tea ceremonies in the world. In part one of our five-part series “Where’s the Chiayi County Chief Taking Us?” discover how this tranquil forest setting combines stunning vistas, locally grown high-mountain teas and confections infused with regional flavors. WATCH more episodes here. https://www.taiwanplus.com/news/taiwan-news/wheres-the-mayor-taking-us [Taiwan’s Mayors and County Chiefs] Taiwan is home to 13 county chiefs, six mayors of special municipalities (New Taipei, Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung) and three mayors of provincial cities. These elected officials serve a maximum four-year term and can be re-elected for one additional term. The first episodes of the series aired prior to the local elections in 2022.
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A moss-covered forest in the foothills of Alishan sets the stage for one of Taiwan’s most unique tea ceremonies. As Chiayi County garners international attention—including a spot on the New York Times’ list of 52 Places to Go in 2025—local officials are unveiling its hidden treasures to attract travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences.
While Chiayi County is best known for the breathtaking sunrises atop Alishan, where visitors witness the dawn breaking over a sea of clouds, County Chief Weng Chang-liang recently highlighted a quieter, lesser-known gem: Dinghu. This small village, home to just eight farming families, offers scenic tea fields, bamboo forests, and hiking trails with panoramic views.
“This is Dinghu,” Weng said, pointing out the village’s agricultural riches. “We have excellent tea farmers and beautiful scenery.”
One of the village’s most distinctive attractions is a lush forest that hosts intimate tea ceremonies. Guests are treated to locally grown high mountain teas like oolong and black tea from Alishan, brewed by professional tea masters. Sweet treats infused with regional flavors complement the experience.
“Drinking tea or coffee here is a spiritual experience,” Weng explained. “The environment is very important. This ceremony is truly unique and deeply infused with nature.”
Chiayi’s forests reflect the region’s history. Weng says the forests are repositories of Taiwan’s past, containing reminders of the Japanese period in Taiwan.
“The history of Alishan dates back to the Japanese colonial era, when they cut down the cypress forests,” Weng said. “Many large torii gates at Japanese shrines were crafted from Alishan timber.”
The mayor says the Japanese also brought cherry trees from their homeland and planted them on Alishan. These days, tea masters in Dinghu serve up hand-made confections infused with the flavor of those cherry blossoms.
The combination of cultural heritage and natural beauty has made Chiayi County a rising destination for travelers. Its tranquil tea ceremonies, panoramic views, and historical significance offer a unique blend of relaxation and discovery. This peaceful retreat is just one of many reasons Chiayi County is seeing a surge in international visitors.
What’s next?
The series continues with a closer look at Chiayi’s historic railway, the highest of its kind in Asia, and the newly designed trains that are revitalizing this iconic route. We’ll also meet a unique passenger bringing blessings as she journeys up the mountain.
