Maokong Gondola – the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei

Maokong Gondola – the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei

If you want to enjoy the stunning city view while sampling Taiwanese tea, riding on the Maokong Gondola to Maokong is the best choice for you.

Maokong(貓空)is located on the southeast mountain of Taipei City and offer outstanding views of Taipei 101; besides, it is used to be Taipei‘s biggest tea plantation, which is best known for Tieguanyin (Iron Goddess) and Baozhong tea.

In 2007, the opening of Maokong Gondola draws a lot of visitors to go to Maokong. Now, it is a popular place to go hiking, sample the Taiwanese teas and enjoy the scenery of Taipei City.

Maokong Gondola - the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei

Maokong Gondola

Built in 2007, The Maokong Gondola is the longest Gondola in Taiwan and also a prominent transportation to connect Taipei Zoo and Maokong. 

Maokong Gondola - the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei

The total length of 4.03 km (2.7 mi) gondola line is shaped like the numeral 7, the line has 4 stations for passengers to ride and 2 angle stations which offer power and change gondola’s direction.

Photo Source: Taipei Maokong Gondola Official Website

“Notice: Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in the cabin.”


How to Get There

Take Brown Line (Wenhu Line) to the terminal station, Taipei Zoo [ BR01 ], Exit No.2 and walk around 5 minutes to the Maokong Gondola station.

TIPS:
I strongly recommend that you get two useful tools to make your travel go smoothly:
EasyCard & 4G SIM Card.
With EasyCard, you can explore Taipei easily; with the local 4G SIM card, you will find your destination easily, check the latest public transport schedules immediately, and share your vacation photos or videos with your family and friends anytime, anywhere.

EasyCard $3.35Book NOW
4G SIM Card$9.29 
$10.00 (7% off)
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4G WiFi Router$1.29
$6.25 (80% off)
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EasyCard + 4G SIM Card$8.09 
$13.29 (40% off)
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Stations

The line has four stations:

Photo Source: Taipei Maokong Gondola Official Website

Hours

Monday
9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday
9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday
9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday
9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday
9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday
8:30 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday
8:30 am – 9:00 pm
  • Scheduled maintenance for the Gondola is on the first Monday of the month.
  • Opening hours of the Maokong gondola will be changed during national holidays, check out here.

Fares

The ticket price depends on how many stations you ride, The regular one-way ticket price is NT$70($2.3) for 1 stop, NT$100($3.2) for 2 stops and 3 stops is NT$120($3.9). It also works with Easycard.

Ticket Price TableTaipei Zoo StationTaipei Zoo South StationZhinan Temple StationMaokong Station
Taipei Zoo Station070 ($2.3)100 ($3.2)120 ($3.9)
Taipei Zoo South Station70 ($2.3)070 ($2.3)100 ($3.2)
Zhinan Temple Station100 ($3.2)70 ($2.3)070 ($2.3)
Maokong Station120 ($3.9)100 ($3.2)70 ($2.3)0

Cabins

Maokong Gondola - the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei

There are two types of cabins, Regular Cabin and Crystal Cabin.

Crystal cabins also called “Eyes of Maokong Gondola”, is a transparent cabin with a tri-layer reinforced glass floor, therefore, you can enjoy the 360-degree panorama views in the air.

*What’s the Difference Between Regular Cabin and Crystal Cabin?
TypeRegular CabinsCrystal Cabins
Transparent FloorNoYes
Capacity6~8 passengers5 passengers
Quantity11631
Wait Timeavailable anytimeevery 2~4 minutes
PriceNT$70($2.3) for 1 stop
NT$100($3.2) for 2 stops
NT$120($3.9) for 3 stops
NT$70($2.3) for 1 stop
NT$100($3.2) for 2 stops
NT$120($3.9) for 3 stops

Maokong gondola ride is a must do if you come to Taipei. I recommend you book the combo ticket, you will get round trip Maokong Gondola ticket (Taipei Zoo Station – Maokong Station) and comes with the Taipei Double-Decker Sightseeing Night Bus ticket, this valuable combo package is only $7.79, just click below button to get it!

Things to do in Maokong

Zhangshu Trail(樟樹步道)

Maokong Gondola - the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei

The Zhangshu trail is a popular trail in Maokong, the length is only 0.745 miles and is suitable for families to walk. In addition, every spring (Feb – Mar) is the best time to appreciate the blooming Lupine along the trail.


Zhangshan Temple(樟山寺)

香爐

Photo by Murphy Chen on Flickr

Keep walking up from Zhangshu trail, you will reach the Zhangshan temple in about 20 minutes. Zhangshan Temple is a Buddhist temple and also known as the place for the best views of Taipei city, you can look out the full views of Taipei 101 and Taipei basin.


Taipei Tea Promotion Center(台北市鐵觀音包種茶研發推廣中心)

Source: Department of Information and Tourism,Taipei City Government Website

If you are a tea lover, then you might want to go to the Taipei Tea Promotion Center. Although it spends about 20 minutes walk from the Maokong Gondola station, you will learn about everything about Taiwanese tea and even savor the free tea.

Book Now – Learn Anything About Taiwanese Tea Culture with Tea Master

Source : Klook
  • Get Location
  • Tel:+886 2 2234-0568
  • Hours:Tue – Sun 09:00~17:00 | Mon Closed

Eating in Maokong

Fourth Brother’s Catering Group(四哥餐飲集團)

Fourth Brother’s shop is one of the famous restaurants in Maokong, they have started from the sales of self-produced tea to the catering services for over two decades.

Besides Fourth Brother’s shop, it now has two more different styles of the restaurant in Maokong: SihYe and MAOLAN.


Fourth Brother’s Shop(四哥的店)

Maokong Gondola - the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei
3rd Floor of Fourth Brother’s shop No.1

Since 1990, Fourth Brother’s shop has served not only fine tea but creative tea flavored cuisine.

Maokong Gondola - the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei

They have two shops closed to each other: Fourth Brother’s Shop No.1 and No.2.

Maokong Gondola - the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei
2nd Floor of Fourth Brother’s shop No.1

Fourth Brother’s shop No.1 is located in a three-story building; No.2 has an outdoor dining area, both are suitable for people who want to simply enjoy the fancy food and 180-degree views of Taipei city.

Maokong Gondola - the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei
Maokong Gondola - the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei
  • Avg. Cost:NT$200~500 ($6.4~16.4)
  • No.1 Shop: Get Location
  • No.2 Shop: Get Location
  • Tel:+886 2 2939-2832
  • Hours:Tue – Sun 11:30~22:00 | Mon Closed

SihYe(四爺)

Maokong Gondola - the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei

SihYe is a restaurant with a strongly Chinese palace interior style, they only offer booths for those people who want to have a private space.

  • Avg. Cost:NT$200~500 ($6.4~16.4)
  • Get Location
  • Tel:+886 2 2234-0140
  • Hours:Tue – Sun 10:00~22:00 | Mon Closed

MAOLAN(貓懶)

Maokong Gondola - the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei

Going upstairs to the rooftop from ShiYe, you will find Maolan which just like a rooftop bar offering both fine dining and drinks, from this airy terrace you get fantastic 270-degree views of the Taipei City.

Maokong Gondola - the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei
  • Avg. Cost:NT$200~400 ($6.4~12.9)
  • Get Location
  • Tel:+886 2 2239-5938
  • Hours:Tue – Sun 10:00~22:00 | Mon Closed

Redwood Tea House(紅木屋)

Maokong Gondola - the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei

An obvious old-style red-brick house offer excellent food and view, besides Taiwanese dishes, they also have Western snacks like Waffles and Paninis, here is the best place for the afternoon tea.

Maokong Gondola - the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei
  • Avg. Cost:NT$200~500 ($6.4~16.1)
  • Get Location
  • Tel:+886 2 2939-9706
  • Hours:Tue – Sun 10:30~21:00 | Mon Closed

LazyDayCafe(小日子)

Without WiFi, air conditioner, and socket. LazyDayCafe is an outdoor coffee shop with an awning, so you can quietly savor a cup of coffee and enjoy the atmosphere surrounded by nature.

  • Avg. Cost:NT$80~160 ($2.6~5.2)
  • Get Location
  • Hours:Tue – Fri 12:00~19:00 | Sat – Sun 12:00~20:00 | Mon Closed

Maokong Tea House(貓空茶屋)

Maokong Tea House is a lovely shop selling dessert and tea gifts, If you have a sweet tooth, you can’t say no to their unique ice cream made with Tieguanyin (Iron Goddess) or Baozhong tea.

  • Avg. Cost:NT$90 ($2.9)
  • Get Location
  • Tel:+886 2 2936-6066
  • Hours:Sun – Thu 10:00~20:00 | Fri – Sat 10:00~21:00 | Mon Closed


If you really enjoy staying in the tea house for a lovely view while drinking traditional tea, you will definitely love Jiufen which is one of the must-go places in Taiwan.

See also : Jiufen Old Street – the Romantic Nostalgic Mountain Town

How to Plan Your Maokong Combo Day Trip

Option 1
Taipei Zoo – Maokong

Maokong Gondola - the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei

It’s a popular combo trip, in the morning you can visit Taipei Zoo and see different animals with an affordable entry ticket ($2), then take the Maokong Gondola to Maokong for sunset and beautiful night views.

SEE ALSO: TAIPEI ZOO – THE MUST GO ZOO IN TAIWAN

Option 2
Shenkeng Old StreetTaipei Zoo – Maokong

Maokong Gondola - the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei

Shenkeng Old Street is known for its famous tofu cuisine, you can have lunch there, then take Zhinan Bus 679 (Stop Location) to Taipei Zoo (Closed at 5:00 pm) and later Maokong for dinner, or skip Taipei Zoo and directly go to Maokong for afternoon tea.


Option 3
Pingxi – Maokong

Maokong Gondola - the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei
People come to Pingxi for releasing a sky lantern

You can go to Pingxi during the day and take Taipei Bus 795 to MRT Muzha Station [BR02] later, then transfer to MRT Taipei Zoo Station [BR01] for taking the gondola up to Maokong.

See also : Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival – The Complete Guide to Pingxi Line in Taiwan
Maokong Gondola - the Gateway to Enjoy the Impressive Panoramic Views of Taipei

I hope you enjoyed reading this post, in this post, you’ve learned every information about Maokong Gondola, what’s fun and must eat in Maokong, and how to create a travel itinerary. However, If you still have any questions on your trip to Maokong, please leave in the comments below, I will be more than happy to help you out:)

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