When it comes to Taiwanese tea culture, most people first think of Alishan or Sun Moon Lake, but Hualien is also a tea destination worth exploring. Rather than saying Hualien is a tea-producing area, it's better to say it's a great place for "drinking tea"—backed by the Central Mountain Range and facing the Pacific Ocean, drinking tea amidst the interplay of sea breeze and valleys offers a unique scenery.
Although the density of tea shops in Hualien city centre is not as high as in Taipei or Taichung, walking into the alleyways, you can still find several tea spaces with local characteristics. These tea shops, unlike chain establishments with standardised SOPs, retain more of the "human" warmth. The following establishments are ones I personally visited and would recommend to those looking for a place to sit.
First and foremost, it should be noted that the choice of tea shops in Hualien is indeed limited, and many older establishments with high ratings on Google may have closed down or relocated. It is recommended that upon arrival in Hualien, you make enquiries with local residents about the latest situation, as this often leads to unexpected discoveries.
【Further Reading】If you are willing to venture slightly further out, the Wuhu area in Ruishui Township, Hualien County, has several tea shops attached to tea plantations, where you can experience the entire process directly from tea garden to teacup—an experience that cannot be found in metropolitan areas.
燕子茶食
Located in Hualien City, "Swallow Tea & Snacks" is one of the few distinctive cafés that combines tea drinks with light bites. The owner herself is a Penghu native who married into a Hualien family and has a genuine passion for and understanding of tea. The tea menu is refreshingly straightforward, offering standard options such as Oolong, Oriental Beauty, and Honey-Aroma Red Oolong, priced between NT$120-180, which is reasonable for an urban area.
Particularly noteworthy is their "tea pairing" concept—one tea accompanied by a handmade biscuit or dessert. This pairing approach lowers the barrier to tea enjoyment, making it ideal for young people or families who aren't accustomed to drinking tea on its own. The space is compact, but the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, allowing guests to unwind easily.
⚠ Please note: this establishment does not offer tea-brewing demonstrations; all drinks are served pre-brewed. If you'd like to experience the process from selecting to brewing your tea, you may need to make separate arrangements.
海稻村茶空間
"Sea Rice Village Tea Space" is located near Hualien Coastal Road and is a distinctive quality teahouse. The owner has a background in tea-related work and has a certain dedication and taste when it comes to tea. The teahouse doesn't have a wide selection of teas, but they are all personally selected, which is reassuring.
In terms of space design, it's more like a "suitable for long stays" café style, offering Wi-Fi and power sockets, making it suitable for travellers who need to work on laptops or backpackers who need to stay in Hualien for an extended period. The price for a pot of tea is approximately TWD 150-250, and for the environment and atmosphere, it offers good value for money.
It is worth noting that this shop closes relatively early, usually around 7pm, so readers planning to visit are advised to go in the afternoon.
（山間移動 Tea House 燕子口驛站）
If you're planning a trip towards Taroko, 'Yanzikou Station' is a great choice for a midway rest stop. This station combines local smallholder produce and tea drinks, located on the essential route to Taroko. The owner is local and has a good knowledge of Hualien's mountain culture, often able to share stories that you won't find in regular travel guidebooks.
The tea prices here are relatively modest, at around 80-120 New Taiwan Dollars per cup, offering good value for money. In summer they have iced honey lemon tea, and in winter the ginger Pu-erh is recommended; both are local favourites.
⚠ This shop's location is not in Hualien city centre, but rather near the entrance to Taroko National Park. If you're going specifically to 'find a tea shop', you may be disappointed; however, if you're planning a day trip to Taroko, this is the perfect midway refreshment stop.
Mizuho Wuhua Tea Garden Experience
Leaving Hualien City and heading south to the Wuhua area of Mizuho Township, you'll discover a completely different world. This is one of Hualien's important tea-producing regions, though the scale is not as large as Alishan's, it has its own character in terms of taste — because of its proximity to the coast, the interaction between sunlight and sea breeze gives the tea a more fragrant and sweet character.
There are several tea plantations in the Wuhua area that have attached "tea spaces" where you can experience the complete process from tea picking, rolling to tea tasting. This kind of experience is very difficult to find in tea shops in urban areas, making it ideal for travellers interested in tea culture who want to learn more.
Generally speaking, this type of experience costs around NT$300-500 per person, including approximately one hour of guided tour and tea tasting. If time permits, it's highly recommended to plan an afternoon trip from Hualien City.
Other Options
Apart from those mentioned above, there are also a few small tea stalls around Hualien Railway Station, usually mobile tea carts converted from motorcycles with very cheap prices (50-80 yuan per cup), but the quality is fairly ordinary, suitable for travellers who want to grab and go. This kind of information may not always be found on Google Maps - you need to pay attention while walking around the city yourself.
Practical Information
Travel Suggestions
If travelling to Hualien for tea from other parts of Taiwan, the most convenient way is to take the Taiwan Railway to Hualien Railway Station and then hire a motorcycle to get around. Hualien city centre is not large, and you can reach most tea shops within 15-20 minutes by motorcycle. Bus services are limited, so they are not particularly recommended.
If you are planning to visit the Ruihui and Maohe area, it is recommended to drive or hire a car. It takes approximately 40-50 minutes of mountain road travel from Hualien city centre, with quite a lot of winding roads. Those prone to car sickness are advised to take travel sickness medication in advance.
Cost Guide
Tea drink prices at most tea shops: NT$100-250
Tea tasting experience prices: NT$300-500 (including guided tour)
Tea souvenirs: NT$200-800 per tin (depending on quality)
Opening Hours
Most Hualien tea shops are open between 10:00am and 7:00pm, with a few offering evening sessions. It is recommended to avoid Mondays, as many shops are regularly closed on this day.
Travel Tips
First of all, the tea shop culture in Hualien is different from that in Taipei or Taichung – there are no chain "boutique tea houses" here; most are independently-run small shops. This characteristic is both an advantage (warmth of human touch, has stories) and a disadvantage (less stable, may not have official publicity). It is recommended to keep your itinerary flexible, and ask locals once you're there – you will often get more up-to-date information than what you find online.
Second, Hualien's summers are hot and humid, but if you head towards the mountains or in the direction of Ruishui, the temperature becomes much more comfortable at higher altitudes, making it a great place for tea tasting in summer. There is less rain in winter, but it feels colder due to the northeast monsoon, so you'll need to bring an outer layer.
Third, if you want to buy tea as a souvenir, it is recommended to buy directly at the source or at tea plantations – the prices will be more affordable than buying at tea shops in the city. When selecting, you can ask the shop to brew some for you to try before making a decision, because "tea taste is highly subjective; personal experience is the only way to avoid disappointment" – this is advice from Taipei's tea market, and it applies equally to Hualien.
Finally, tea shops in Hualien are all small in scale with limited seating – it is recommended to call ahead to check for availability during weekends or consecutive holidays, so you don't make a wasted trip. This is not only polite but also a handy tip to ensure your trip goes smoothly.
