Pinglin honors the ancient tradition of tea

What The Taiwan Ping Lin Tea Museum

Where: 19-1 Songchi Keng, Shuiteh Village, Pinlin Township, Taipei County (北縣坪林鄉水德村聳淒坑19-1號)

Others: Tel (02) 2665-6035. For more information, check http://tacocity.com.tw/plin/. Entry costs NT$100 for adults and is free for children and people over 70

While in Pinglin, check out:

* Tea restaurants

There are four restaurants in Pinglin dedicated to tea-related cuisine. Many of their dishes use tea as a seasoning and many also offer one of the area's best-known dishes, Pure Tea (純吃茶), made from fried tea leaves. The restaurants can be contacted at the following numbers:

* Huliao Tan (虎寮潭), tel 2665-6459.

* Yingliang Chih Lu (映象之旅), tel 2665-6146.

* Hehuan Camping (合歡營地), tel 2665-6424.

* Shihfang Cha She (十方茶社), tel 2665-6309.

* Camping and waterfront activities

Pinglin's large camping area has 30 camp grounds under different management, including cabin accommodation for up to 800 people along the Beishih River (北勢溪). Fishing and shrimping are the most popular activities for campers. The streams in this area offer many kinds of fish and the river shrimp from this area are considered among the tastiest. There are also many cycling and hiking trails in this area, many of them starting from the vicinity of the tea museum. These trails pass local temples, tea farms, and historical sites. The parks along the river are also ideal for picnicking and strolling.

More information about camping in Pinglin can be obtained at the following locations:

* Hsingwang Camping and Recreational Farm

(興旺露營休憩農場): tel 2665-6899.

* Huliang Tan Camping (虎寮潭營地): tel

2665-6549.

* Hehuan Camping (合歡營地): tel 2665-6434.

* Yinghsiang Chih Lu (映象之旅): tel 2665-6146.

* Chingshan Farm (青山農場): tel 2665-6165.

* Pinglin botanical park

Just opened on June 3, the botanical park next to the tea museum covers nearly three hectares and is divided into 14 areas. The park showcases more than 150 kinds of indigenous plants, trees and flowers, and includes a tea farm. A cool, quiet trail running through the park makes an ideal place for a stroll.