Travel Guide to New Tianshan Tea Industry Homestay, Chiayi County

Introduction

Tucked into the mist-covered Alishan foothills of Chiayi County, 新天山茶業民宿 (New Tianshan Tea Industry Homestay) is more than just a place to stay—it’s an immersive gateway to Taiwan’s highland tea culture. Far from the crowded tourist hubs of central Alishan, this family-run homestay lets you slow down, breathe fresh mountain air, and wake up to the scent of locally grown oolong drifting through your window. Whether you’re a solo hiker, a family looking for a quiet getaway, or a tea enthusiast chasing the perfect cup, this homestay delivers authentic, comfortable mountain hospitality that feels like a home away from home.

Hotel Overview

Located at 123-11, 4th Neighborhood, Leye Village, Zhuqi Township, Chiayi County, New Tianshan Tea Industry Homestay is built on a working tea plantation, with rooms designed to prioritize comfort and convenience for travelers. All guest rooms are smoke-free, with spacious family-friendly options available for groups traveling with children. Every room comes with a private en-suite bathroom, and free high-speed WiFi is available across the entire property. For drivers, free unreserved private parking and street parking are available on-site, eliminating the stress of finding a spot in popular mountain areas. Multilingual hosts speak English, French, and Mandarin, making it accessible for international visitors, and amenities include luggage storage, a designated smoking area, invoice service for business travelers, and full safety features including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and 24/7 security cameras in common areas.

Attractions

Three unmissable local attractions are all within a 20-minute drive of the homestay:

• Leye Alishan Tea Culture Park: Just 10 minutes away, this working cultural park lets you walk through rolling tea terraces, join a hands-on tea picking and processing workshop, and sample award-winning high-mountain oolong grown right in the area. The park’s viewing platform offers sweeping views of the Jialan River valley below.
• Tapung No. 1 Old Trail: A 20-minute drive from the homestay, this gently graded 3.5-kilometer trail follows a former forest railway route, winding through old-growth cypress and cedar forests. It’s suitable for casual hikers, with frequent lookout points that frame dramatic sunrises over the Central Mountain Range.
• Zihyun Temple: This 100-year-old Buddhist temple sits atop a nearby hill, 15 minutes from the homestay. It’s famous for its quiet tea meditation sessions and unobstructed views of Alishan’s sea of clouds on cool mornings, with a small teahouse on-site serving homemade tea snacks.

Travel Tips

The mountain weather is cool year-round, so pack a light jacket even in summer, and bring layers for early morning cloud watching. Book directly with the homestay to get a complimentary welcome tea set made from their own plantation. If you don’t have a car, book a local taxi from Chiayi City in advance—public buses to Leye Village run infrequently on weekdays. Leave at least one free evening to join the homestay’s nightly tea tasting: the hosts will walk you through the differences between Alishan oolong grades, paired with homemade pineapple cake made with local fruit. For the best experience, visit between late March and early May, when the new spring tea harvest takes place and the surrounding hills are covered in blooming azaleas.